A sweet intergenerational tête-à-tête.
—Kirkus Reviews
[…] The art and the pace sell the journey. Nana and the girl talk in bright close-ups; the flashbacks are wordless full spreads, encouraging us to supply the missing information.
—The New York Times
This airy picture book is calibrated to appeal to doting grandparents or, for that matter, to any adult whose face has acquired a bit of wear and tear.
—The Wall Street Journal
The revelation that older relatives were once young is always a surprise for younger people, and Ciraolo (Whatever Happened to My Sister?) presents Nana’s story in a way that’s affectionate and never patronizing.
—Publisher’s Weekly
Nana uses the opportunity to explain that every wrinkle is attached to a memory, and the story swishes back in time to show the source of each one. Her crow’s feet were caused by laughing too hard on a seaside picnic, and the creases on her forehead are the result of a first date at an amusement park. As the girl sits as a rapt audience for her Nana’s storytelling, she learns that so-called imperfections are the result of life lived.
—The Globe and Mail
The intimate, present-day moments with granddaughter and grandmother involve close-ups of the girl, pointing to her Nana’s face on white, uncluttered spreads, which alternate with the colorful, wordless, full-bleed spreads that depict the past. Ciraolo, born in Sardinia, captures body language well, just as she did in last year’s Whatever Happened to My Sister?, another tender story of familial bonds.
—Julie Danielson
A realistic and charming family story shared between a Nana and her grandchild. […] This is a perfect book that focuses on a grandparent’s graceful aging process and allows bonding and sharing with younger family members.
—Youth Services Book Review
I love this book for its sweetness and depth. There’s the story you’re reading and another more subtle and open-ended story conveyed through the illustrations […] You can just feel the love put into the book—one reason it’s a favorite of mine to share with others.
—Colorado Parent
Each line on granny’s face tell a unique story in this playful and endearing exchange between grandmother and granddaughter. The illustrations are both vibrant and soft in this book with multi generational appeal.
—The Wandering Bookseller
Beautifully conceived and heartwarming, this book ups my admiration for Simona Ciraolo’s talent.
—Sal’s Fiction Addiction
This is a sweet book that addresses old age with a cute explanation (non scientific, sure, but oh-so-sweet) about wrinkles. Simona has a real knack for being able to tackle tough subjects in picture books, and she does it in such a pleasant and endearing way.
—Book Nerd Mommy
“Simona’s art style might seem simple at a first glance, but her illustrations are so evocative and emotive that you really don’t need any words to tell you the story. Her work is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf, children and adults alike!”
—Varsha Ravi, Between Bookends
