Inside: Looking for incredible books about grandparents for your children to read with grandma and grandpa? We’ve got just the list for you. You will love sharing these stories with grandparents, especially on Grandparent’s Day!
- Why share books about grandparents with your children?
- Sharing intergenerational picture books unlocks our own family stories
- Books about grandparents are more diverse than ever
- Frequently asked questions
- Books about grandparents We love these grandma books
- Books About Grandparents Grandpa books we love
Why share books about grandparents with your children?
Grandparents have tremendous life lessons to teach their grandchildren, and there is nothing quite as touching as watching your child curled up on a grandparent’s lap, listening to stories of days long passed.
I always loved my grandparents’ stories, loved learning how they actively sought to better the world and instill important values in their children through their own actions.
Sometimes, though, it’s not so easy to get grandparents to share their stories. Sometimes the words don’t come, sometimes the memories escape them and sometimes they don’t want to harken back to dark days. But there is one perfect way to help unleash the memories: use picture books about grandparents, of course!
Sharing intergenerational picture books unlocks our own family stories
I love watching my own parents read books about grandparents with my boys that center around the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. Almost always, when the books end, our family tales begin. The picture books sparked memories, experiences taken from the pages of my parents’ very own stories. These stories — our family history — then become woven into the fabric of my kids’ lives.
Moral of the story? Make sure your shelves contain books about grandparents for your parents to read with your children. These books are magical when shared — and they also play an important role in helping your kids learn their own family histories.
Books about grandparents are more diverse than ever
And guess what? With an influx of multicultural children’s picture books hitting the market, it has become easier to find books about all different types of grandparent relationships. These amazing new books about grandparents feature grandchildren and grandparents of all backgrounds, religions and cultures, and they reflect all different types of families. We’ve worked hard to curate a fabulous, diverse selection of books about grandparents, and we truly hope you adore them as much as we do.
Frequently asked questions
Grandparents have so many valuable lessons to impart to young children. Picture books are often wonderful starting points to get them to unlock memories and share stories about their own lives in “the olden days” with their grandkids. This oral storytelling is so important, and often times picture books are a catalyst for grandparents to share even more of their own lives with their grandchildren.
My favorite book centering grandmothers is My Grandma and Me, by Mina Javeherbin (featured below). Aside from its stunning illustrations, I love the way this book, about a grandmother and grandchild in Iran, showcases so beautifully that the love shared between grandparents and grandchildren is universal.
I simply adore Time for Bed, Old House, by Janet Costa Bates and illustrated by AG Ford. It is the best bedtime story, and it is relatable and fun for every child who ever gets nervous about going on a sleepover at grandma and grandpa’s house!
Books about grandparents: We love these grandma books
In this exquisite true story of a girl and her grandmother in Iran, it is readily apparent that no matter where you live or what religion you practice, the love between a grandparent and grandchild — and the adoration children feel for their grandparents — is universal. Here, a young girl and her grandma are never far apart. Whether it’s going to the mosque, visiting neighbors, or getting lost in grandma’s chadors, the girl’s memories of growing up with her grandma are filled with a depth, tenderness and emotional resonance that make this book a treasure for children and grandparents in every corner of the world. This is one of my very favorite books about grandparents! For our full review, click here!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
This is a touching story about the love shared between abuela and her granddaughter. Abuela is saving up to buy something special for her special girl, but when her world turns upside down, it seems her surprise will be impossible. Luckily, the time Abuela and Nina spend together may just end up being the most special gift of all. Love this story about family bonds that even the passage of time can’t shake!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
A child is a bit nervous to go visit his Nana in the big city. But while he is there for his sleepover, Nana helps him see that the busy, bustling and loud city is not scary, but rather fun. All he needs is the perfect gear to help him remember to be brave — which comes in the form of one special cape given to him with love by Nana!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
Grandma Mimi is coming! And though she always brings oodles of hugs and treats, nothing is better than… Grandma’s purse! There’s no guessing what is inside Grandma’s magical, mystical bag. Whether it’s fancy jewelry, souvenirs from around the world, or other magical treasures, chances are that purse will contain something special, something that will transform an ordinary day into an extraordinary one! This is a beloved book about grandparents that just about any child can relate to!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
One little girl is a bit disappointed when her birthday arrives and grandma gives her… a lemon tree. What on earth will she do with a lemon tree? Yet, when she follows the narrator’s instructions, she may discover that grandma’s gift was exactly what she needed — and wanted — after all. We love this story about turning life’s lemons into lemonade!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
I am in love with this book! This is the story of a young girl who lives on a farm with her grandma, and as a storm approaches and thunder rumbles, the girl is so scared she hides under a bed. Leave it to Grandma to turn the storm into an adventure. The bad weather is nothing to worry about – instead, the clock is ticking for them to get a Thunder Cake into the oven before the storm arrives! This is a warm and wonderful tale, depicting one grandparent’s brilliant method to inspire adventure, distraction, and even fun in the face of her granddaughter’s biggest fear.
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
When Mia’s abuela arrives in the city and moves into Mia’s home, communication can be challenging. Mia tries to help Abuela learn English, and Mia learns a bit of Spanish, yet the language barrier is ever-present. One day, though, Mia brings a parrot named Mango home from the pet shop with an idea that will bridge the communication gap — and help the family better share their stories. Heartfelt, relatable, and joyful, this book about grandparents is a gem!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
I adore this sweet ode to grandmas! This charming story is a tribute to the grandmas who sweep kids away on adventures, encourage curiosity, and fill their grandkids’ lives with so much magic. Grandmas bake and dig, they sew and create, and their touch has the power to heal even the greatest wounds. And even when grandmas can’t be around, their magic has staying power, surrounding their grandkids with coziness and love even from a distance. This delightful book is perfect for a grandma who can’t wait to gather her grandchildren on her lap and read a tender story before bed. The sweetest!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
This loving picture book is an ode to connection across cultures. It tells the story of a girl named Jyoti who travels around the world to visit her grandmother in India. Though she initially feels overwhelmed by the differences between her home and India as well as those between her and her grandmother, the two eventually come to a place of comfort and understanding, forming a deep bond despite their language barrier. When Jyoti has to return home, she remembers that in Tamil people do not say goodbye, opting instead for “I’ll go and come back.” They part… and the next summer? We see the beautiful day when grandmother and grandchild reunite once more. An absolute gem!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
Books About Grandparents: Grandpa books we love
This book about grandparents is absolutely exquisite! A little girl of color is continuously asked a question by her peers. “Where are you from?” Though it should have a simple answer, the girl always struggles to reply. One day, she seeks enlightenment from her loving Abuelo, and she gets the most beautiful, thorough answer she could have imagined. Abuelo takes her on a journey underwater and through the fields, evoking heritage, family bonds, and the love that exists from generation to generation, carrying us through challenges and giving us answers to age-old questions about self-identify and home. Just beautiful!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
In what may be our favorite new book about grandparents and bedtime, one little boy is extra excited to sleep at his grandparent’s house one evening. But, like many kids when they sleep out, he is a bit nervous to be away from his parents. Luckily, his wise grandfather knows just the trick to calm his grandson down – he takes Isaac with him to help him with a special routine – putting the house to bed! But by the time they finish with the routine, you’ll be surprised at who falls asleep first. This warm and tender book is an absolute gem, and one that is destined to become a classic.
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
What is it about grandparents giving gifts kids don’t always love? One little boy asked for a house for his dolls. Much to his dismay, however, his grandfather surprises him with…. a toolbox. The child is less than enthused and knows the perfect hiding spot, until he realizes that he can use that toolbox to create his dream dollhouse — and maybe a treehouse, too. We love the way this book smashes gender norms and shows children that even gifts that are not what we were hoping for can be used in ways to achieve everything you desire!
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
Oh, how I adore this book! Gramps and Grandad were amazing adventurers, touring the country in their awesome camper. But upon Gramps’s death, Grandad doesn’t feel much like traveling. Leave it to their special granddaughter to get Grandad excited about exploring again. The spunky child decides to fix up the camper, getting it ready to take them, too, on great adventures. I love the way this book features a same-sex marriage without making it the focus of the story. it is a beautiful celebration of love, loss and finding hope and fulfillment in new beginnings.
BUY THIS BOOK FROM:
A young girl discovers a walnut one morning, prompting her grandfather to tell his story of leaving one country and journeying to America in search of a new home, with only one small bag and a nut in his pocket. He eventually planted that nut in good, fertile soil, where it took root and would grow strong forever. In teaching his granddaughter to cultivate her own walnut seed, her grandfather shares cherished family history, conveying that seeds can flourish and develop strong roots wherever they are planted. This captivating story is steeped in family, resilience, and love. It is definitely one to treasure, and a new beauty about the cycle of life!
This gorgeous book, one in a series of three (including Patience, Miyuki and Thank You, Miyuki which we also adore) tackles a universal problem and is set against an exquisite backdrop adorned with images depicting Japanese culture on every page. Sweet Miyuki just doesn’t want to go to sleep, despite her grandfather’s pleas. Why? There are too many things to do, like water the vegetables, gather the snails and prepare for the arrival of the Dragonfly Queen. With gentleness and patience, her grandfather indulges Miyuki’s antics until finally, she is ready for bed and sleep overtakes her. Exquisite! For our full review of Time for Bed, Miyuki, click here!
Who else thinks bagels are the best thing about Sunday mornings? Every Sunday morning, Eli counted on his Zaida bringing bagels from Merv’s bakery. But one Sunday, Zaida doesn’t come. He had a big fall! When Zaida is told he must stay in bed for two weeks, Eli discovers there may be something he can do to keep the weekly bagel tradition alive.
A young boy visits his grandfather, only to find a giant chasm between them as they do not speak the same language. But then the two sit down to draw, and that’s when magic happens. Drawn Together is a testament to the power of art to transcend words, and this stunning book perfectly encapsulates that bonds can be found and formed even when we may not share the same language.
If you are going to babysit a grandpa, chances are, you’ll hide as soon as he rings the bell. Shhhh! Keep still and quiet as you hide so you can surprise grandpa as soon as he throws his hands up in defeat! This book will have you in stitches as you get stellar tips and all the ins and outs for babysitting your favorite grandparent, from making sure there’s lots of ice cream on hand, to remembering sunscreen on the tippy top of grandpa’s head (the bald part, of course!) Fun and adorable, this one is a blast!
Do you have a favorite book about grandparents that we haven’t mentioned on our list? Let us know in the comments below!
Another great one is the remember balloons
You could include this one also…
Mystery Bottle (Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award) Hardcover – March 1, 2006
by Kristen Balouch (Author)