The Truth About Grandparents

PreS-Gr 3–While a young boy admits that his grandparents are “really old” with “wrinkly faces, a little bit of hair, and funny teeth,” the things he’s heard about old people just don’t align. The cover, which features the child, dog, granny, and grandad jumping barefoot on a trampoline says it all. In this perfect marriage of text and illustrations, each spread dispels another myth about the aged. “NOT MUCH FUN” shows the narrator sandwiched between his grands on a riotous roller coaster; “SLOW…” has them skateboarding and roller skating downhill; “NOT BENDY” pictures them in a yoga class; “SCARED of new things…” shows the boy and Grandpa playing a video game while Grandma is engrossed with her laptop. And “…they definitely don’t care for ROMANCE” shows the couple sharing a tender kiss. Grandson concludes that he “…knows the truth…Grandparents are…AMAZING!” The illustrations, rendered in pen, ink, gouache, and photoshop, depict a short, round grandma with red dress and shoes and a tall, thin balding grandpa with suspenders and bow tie while the short, stout tyke seems to favor gran. The little brown dog adds to the fun, growling at a robo-pet, dancing with abandon or hiding under a pillow from the loud music. The endpapers show a vibrant household cluttered with African masks, suitcases, sports equipment, books, and family photos.