9 Children’s Books to Celebrate Grandparents’ Day

I’m thrilled to have author Andrea Wang guest posting today. She’s always been a strong writer with a voice that represents Asian American culture proudly and accurately, but she’s recently made the leap from being great to exceptional.

I feel like this is her breakout year. Her newest picture book, Watercress, is on my list to win a Caldecott in 2022.

Today we are getting ready to celebrate Grandparents’ Day, coming up on September 6. What better way to celebrate than a book list from author Andrea Wang about the relationships between grandparents and grandchildren? It can be complicated to bridge the generational gap, especially as grandparents age, yet, there also is an unbreakable bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

Her debut middle grade book, The Many Meanings of Meilan, reflects this complex dynamic.

The Many Meanings of Meilan by Andrea Wang

Growing up with her grandparents and extended family above their family bakery, Meilan has always had a close relationship with her Nainai and Gonggong. But when Nainai passes away, Meilan’s grandfather retreats into his grief and the rest of the adults begin arguing about the future of the bakery. After the family has a falling out, Meilan moves with her parents and Gonggong to a small town in Ohio. Gonggong begins to emerge from his grief; he goes fishing and starts a vegetable garden. But after reliving his past to help Meilan with a school project, Gonggong suddenly goes missing. It’s up to Meilan to find her grandfather, and, in the process, find herself. [middle grade, ages 9 and up]

We are giving away a copy of her debut middle grade book, The Many Meanings of Meilan. Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.

How about you? Will you be celebrating Grandparents’ Day this Sunday? What are your favorite books about grandparents and grandchildren? Thanks for sharing!

p.s. Here is one more:

A Maleta Full of Treasures by Natalia Sylvester, illustrated by Juana Medina

When Dulce’s Abuela visits them in the United States, she brings many suitcases filled with presents such as candy, cookies, and other treats. Dulce loves spending time with her grandmother and dreads when it’s time for her to leave. As that time draws near, Dulce decides to add her own gifts for the cousins that she has never met. When it’s time to take Abuela to the airport, there is a special surprise under Dulce’s bed. A new suitcase to remind her of the love between them, and of a future visit to their home country. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

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Just in time to celebrate Grandparents’ Day on Sunday, September 12, 2021, here is a list of PB and MG books that feature relationships between children and grandparents. Bonus: most of them feature AAPI characters and are written and/or illustrated by AAPI creators.

9 Children’s Books to Celebrate Grandparents’ Day

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat

This gorgeous book is about a young boy who only speaks English and his grandfather who only speaks Thai. Their initial awkwardness transforms into adventure and understanding when they discover they do share a language — art. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

What a Beautiful Morning by Arthur Levine, illustrated by Katie Kath

I wish I’d had this book when my own children were young and struggling to find common ground with my father, who suffered from dementia. The main character, Noah, loves visiting his grandparents and doing all the special, fun things with his grandfather. But on this visit, Grandpa seems to have forgotten what those activities are, and it’s up to Noah to find something they can share together. I love the tagline: This is a story about how love helps us find even what we think is lost. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Khoa Le

Based on Yang’s childhood memories as a Hmong refugee, this is a tender and poignant story about a young girl who wants braces to look more beautiful, but her family cannot afford them. As she cares for her elderly grandmother, who has but one tooth left, the girl learns that true beauty is found in those we love. [picture book, ages 4 and up]