Grandpa, Gramps, Pop, Grandad, Pa; whatever your children call their grandfather, there are many extraordinary children’s books that celebrate a grandfather’s relationship with his grandchildren.
To help you celebrate Grandparents’ Day in Australia (Last weekend of October), I’ve put together this special list of children’s books about grandfathers. I thought it would be a lovely gesture for children to share a special book with their grandparents on this day. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find one at your local bookstore or library.
My one disappointment is that most of these books portray a grandfather’s relationship with their grandson (rather than granddaughter). Nevertheless, the books featured in this list are nothing short of beautiful and touching. My favourite books in this list are those that have a parallel storyline alongside the obvious grandfather one- stories that delve deeper into what the grandfather is like as a person. Feel free to add your favourite grandfather-themed book to the list.
The Magnificent Tree
Author: Nick Bland
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
ISBN: 9781742832951
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Scholastic Press, July 2012
This is a book that warms your heart from beginning to end. The Magnificent Tree is not only a celebration of the relationship between a child and a grandparent but also a lesson in nurturing small ideas. Bonny enjoys spending time with her pop. They are both very different and that’s precisely what they admire about each other. But, they are both ‘ideas people’. Bonny’s ideas are simple but clever, while Pop’s ideas are big, brave and brilliant. Read our full review of The Magnificent Tree here.
Suitable for ages: 4+
Grandpa Green
By Lane Smith
ISBN: 978-0230766457
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Macmillan, October 2012
Suitable for ages: 3+
Grandpa Green is a heart-warming and treasured tale of a child’s love for his grandfather, which Lane Smith has created through a touching story and exquisite illustrations.
Grandpa Green is a gardener who is brilliant with a hedge trimmer. His topiary sculptures tell the story of his life. So as he begins to lose his memory, his grandchildren only need to look at his garden to learn about their grandfather’s interesting life.
Adventures with Grandpa
By Rosemary Mastnak
ISBN:978-1921690761
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, August 2010
Rich and colourful illustrations complement this wonderful story perfectly. A little boy looks forward to entering his grandpa’s magic cave (shed), where they can find lots of odds and ends that lead them on imaginative adventures.
Suitable for ages: 3+
Looking for Rex
Author: Jan Ormerod
Illustrator: Carol Thompson
ISBN: 978-1921541483
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Little Hare (Hardie Grant), 2012
Suitable for ages 3+
This is such a tender tale about a grandfather who has lost his wife, and Carol Thompson’s illustrations bring so much life to the characters.
His grandchildren are keen to look after him and suggest he gets a pet dog. The children adopt a clever strategy so that their gramps will agree. Each day of the week, they play a game of ‘Looking for Rex’. They pretend that Rex eats all the chocolates and blame Rex for terrible pongs. Gramps eventually comes around to the idea of having a pet dog.
My First Car Was Red
Peter Schössow
ISBN: 978-1877467691
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Gecko Press, August 2011
A young boy and his grandpa spend time together repairing an old, rusty pedal car before it is taken on a wild adventure down hills, through wasps and into creeks. This book is brilliantly presented with cute, busy illustrations and is peppered with road signs and symbols (great for visual literacy).
Suitable for ages 4+
Side by Side
Author: Neridah McMullin
Illustrator: Ainsley Walters
ISBN: 978-0980794809
Format: Paperback
Publisher: One Day Hill, September 2010
Suitable for ages: 6+
With historical stories and photographs, this book is a snapshot of life in 1916 when Collingwood, a suburb in Melbourne, was growing during the Depression. It is the story of a young boy’s first footy match, where he is given a Collingwood scarf by his grandfather and initiated as a supporter of the team.
The Last Viking
Author: Norman Jorgensen
Illustrator: James Foley
ISBN: 978-1921888106
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Fremantle Press, June 2011
Suitable for ages 5+
Josh is staying with his nan and pop. His pop teaches him all about the Vikings, and in the process teaches Josh to be brave against bullies and anything that might be slightly frightening.
I Love My Grandpa
By Anna Walker
ISBN:978-1741696370
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Ollie and his grandpa enjoy chatting as they work in the garden together.
Suitable for ages: 2+
Grandpa Baby
Author: Margaret Wild
Illustrator: Deborah Niland
ISBN:978-0670071746
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Viking Australia (Penguin), August 2009
Suitable for ages 2+
Grandpa and Georgie spend time together reading stories, gardening, dressing up and they even swap roles for the day.
Grandpa’s Shed
By Joy Watson
Illustrator: Wendy Hopper
ISBN:978-1869435622
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand, March 2003
Suitable for ages 3+
This story takes readers on a grand adventure as Grandpa endeavours to clean out his shed.
Grandpa and Thomas
By Pamela Allen
ISBN:978-0143501312
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Puffin (Penguin), November 2005
Thomas and Grandpa spend a special day at the beach together, building sandcastles, picnicking and splashing in the water.
Suitable for ages 3+
Shoes from Grandpa
Author: Mem Fox
Illustrator: Patricia Mullins
ISBN:978-0868963723
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, October 1990
A repetitive story that builds upon itself all starts with Grandpa buying Jessie a pair of shoes for the winter. The ending will make you laugh.
Suitable for ages 3+
Grandpa’s Shorts
Author: Joy Watson
Illustrator: Wendy Hopper
ISBN:978-1869435073
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand, 28 May 2001
Grandpa tries to decide what to wear to the beach.
Suitable for ages 4+
Grandpa’s Farm- A summer’s day
Alan Robinson
ISBN:978-1921042416
Format: Hardback
Publisher: New Frontier Publishing,
Publisher’s Description: Matt is spending his summer holidays on Grandpa’s Farm. Through Matt’s eyes, we get an inside look at the joys and challenges of family life on a farm with all the drama of a bushfire. The story affirms the courage of people young and old when threatened with a bush fire.
Suitable for ages 4+
Grandpa’s Farm: A Spring Day
By Alan Robinson
ISBN:978-1921042294
Format: Hardback
Publisher: New Frontier Publishing,
Publisher’s description: Matt is staying on his Grandpa’s farm and is excited to be amongst the farm animals ‘where lambs are born and sheep are shorn’. The story revolves around a typical day’s shearing and informs the reader about the origins of wool.
Suitable for ages 4+
My Grandpa is Amazing
By Nick Butterworth
ISBN:978-1406313314
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, May 2008
Suitable for ages 2+
Publisher’s Description: The grandpa in this book is truly brilliant. He builds fantastic sandcastles, he makes wonderful flower arrangements, and he’s very, very, very patient. He’s got an amazing bike, he’s a terrific dancer and he knows all about first aid … in fact, there’s very little this astounding grandpa can’t do.
I Love Grandpa
By Lizi Boyd
ISBN:978-0763637279
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Candlewick (Walker Books), March 2009
Publisher’s Description: What’s not to love? When the little one is with Grandpa, he has lots of adventures, learning to make a grass whistle, burying treasures in the sand, or making up stories together. With fresh colours, delicate patterns, and delightful characters,
Suitable for ages
I love you, Grandpa
Vivian French
ISBN: 978-0763627485
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Candlewick (Walker Books),
Grandpa is not as young as he used to be, which stops him from skipping and jumping. This is a sweet story about a grandchild taking care of his grandfather.
Suitable for ages
Grandad Pot
By Siobhan Dodds
ISBN:978-1406323320
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Walker Books, October 2009
This is a funny story that sees Grandad Pot in a bit of a tizz. He cooks a huge feast for his granddaughter, Polly, and her friends who are all coming for a sleepover. But there’s a nice surprise in store for Grandad Pot at the end of the story.
Suitable for ages 4+
Oliver’s Game
By Matt Tavares
ISBN: 978-0763641375
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Candlewick (Walker Books), February 2009
Publisher’s Description: Oliver Hall loves baseball, and he loves the ritual of listening to Grandpa Hall’s innumerable baseball stories. But one day Oliver makes a startling discovery. It seems his grandfather has kept one very special story a secret: his own.
Suitable for ages
Willy’s Grandpa
By Scott Tulloch
ISBN:978-1869507381
Format: Paperback
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand), November 2008,
Willy loves each of his four grandparents. Each of them is unique and special. One day Grandpa Pop passes away, and Willy must learn how to say goodbye.
Suitable for ages 4+
Dan’s Grandpa
Author: Sally Morgan
Illustrator: Bronwyn Bancroft
ISBN:978-1863681599
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Fremantle Press, June 1996
Suitable for ages 4+
Dan and his grandpa were close. After Grandpa passes away, Dan knows that his grandfather is still with him, looking after him.
Older readers
My Pa the Polar Bear- Jackie French
Author: Jackie French
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
ISBN: 978-0207200786
Format: Paperback
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd, January 2007
Suitable for ages 7+
Part of the ‘Wacky Family’ series, Fuzz and his Pa win two tickets to the Arctic Circle. They are used to dressing up as polar bears but meeting real ones leads to a new adventure.
Activity Books
To My Grandad – Doodles for You
ISBN: 978-1921848223
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Hardie Grant Books, August 2011
Suitable for ages: 4+
A small format activity book for children to colour and fill in before giving it to Grandad as a gift- a great alternative to a greeting card.
I’m Glad You’re My Grandpa
By Cathy Phelan
Danielle McD
ISBN:978-0230746596
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Black Dog Books (Walker Books),
Suitable for ages 4+
BOOKS ABOUT GRANDPARENTS
Spot Visits His Grandparents
By Eric Hill
ISBN:978-0140558289
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Puffin (Penguin), September 1999
Spot visits his grandparents and enjoys learning about his mum and he goes through an old family photo album.
Suitable for ages 1+
Things I Love About Grandparents
By: Trace Moroney
ISBN: 978-1742487090
Format: Hardback
Publisher: The Five Mile Press, November 2011
Suitable for ages 1+
Trace Moroney writes books that assist parents in helping their children to become positive thinkers. In this book, she looks at the positive aspects of relationships with grandparents.
The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas!
Author: Sally Lloyd-Jones
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
ISBN:978-0060756871
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins, May 2008
Playing with your grandparents, looking after them, loving them and enjoying them; this book offers all the guidelines any grandchild would need to make the most of their time with their grandparents.
Suitable for ages 3+
The Big Book of Families
Catherine and Laurence Anholt
ISBN: 978-1406303513
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Walker Books, December 2006
A book full of poems about all family members, including Grandpas and Grannies.
