From the author of the beloved picture book BEAR, comes a story of a child’s acceptance and ingenuity when faced with a grandparent’s aging and forgetfulness.
“Staffan Gnosspelius has clearly felt each joyous peak and desperate valley alongside his characters and their emotional world is brought to life in every line.” —Alexis Deacon, author of Beegu, about BEAR
Julia’s grandmother forgets things. She can’t find her gardening gloves or favorite red scissors. And though there’s a little ache in Julia’s chest seeing her grandmother so out of sorts, Julia has an idea that switches the dynamic. Here the child is comforting the grandparent. Julia suggests that her grandmother join the Childish Children’s Club. Instead of feeling frustrated and confused, her grandmother can be as childish as she wants. There are no rules, “only encouragements,” like listening to birdsong or petting a kitten. “Forgetting stuff is totally allowed,” Julia tells her.
As with Staffan Gnosspelius’s much loved picture book Bear, the fragility of another’s mental health is handled here with great care and respect, support and love. The author gently assures young readers 4-7 yrs that although a beloved grandparent’s grumpiness and forgetfulness can seem frighteningly unfamiliar, sometimes just being a kid with them is the best and kindest medicine.
