Grandpa and Me: Stories About Grandfathers

Whether they call them Grandpa, Pop Pop, or Abuelito, kids love their grandfathers. By whatever name, granddads are special to children, always ready with a hug. They often provide a link to a family's cultural heritage and native language, and they have lots of great stories to tell! These books about grandfathers from around the world celebrate all that they have to offer — and what their grandchildren offer them in return.

For more suggestions, take a look at the following:

A Song of Frutas

A grandfather and granddaughter look at fruit
Illustrated by: Sara Palacios
Age Level: 6-9
Language: Spanish

The little girl loves visiting her grandfather in Cuba and singing his special songs to sell all kinds of fruit: mango, limón, naranja, piña, and more!

A Walk With Grandpa

As Daniela walks in the woods with her grandfather, they play a game in which they express how much they love each other. Children may wish to continue the game on their own with their family members after finishing the story! Colorful illustrations bring Daniela and her grandpa — as well as the surrounding forest, wildlife, and nearby wetlands — to life. Bilingual text.

Chachaji's Cup

Illustrated by: Soumya Sitaraman
Age Level: 6-9

Product Description: Neel loves listening to Chachaji's stories over steaming cups of tea. Chachaji's tales of great Hindu gods and demons, and of his adventures in the Indian Army, leave Neel openmouthed. But it is the tale of his great-uncle's favorite teacup that teaches Neel the most, for Chachaji's cup holds far more than sweet, spicy masala chai. It holds the story of a family and a country split in two during the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan. When the precious cup and Chachaji's health both prove to be more fragile than they look, Neel knows what he must do.

Daniel Misses Someone

Daniel Misses Someone

Daniel's Grandpere lives far away, which means that Daniel can’t see him as often as he'd like to. But there are many things Daniel can do when he misses him, like drawing a picture, sending a care package, and looking at photos!

Drawn Together

A grandfather hugging his grandson
By: Minh Lê
Illustrated by: Dan Santat
Age Level: 6-9

When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens - with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words. With spare, direct text by Minh Lê and luminous illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, this stirring picturebook about reaching across barriers will be cherished for years to come. Winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Picture Book.

Gigi and Ojiji

Young girl walking with her grandfather
Age Level: 3-6

Gigi can’t wait for her Ojiji — Japanese grandpa — to move in. Gigi plans lots of things to do with him, like playing tag, reading books, and teaching Roscoe, the family dog, new tricks. But her plans don’t work out quite the way she’d hoped. And her grandpa doesn’t seem to like Roscoe. Will Gigi find a way to connect with her Ojiji?

Global Baby Grandparents

Grandmother holding baby
Age Level: 0-3

Grandparents all over the world have a special connection with their grandbabies. They play, sing, read, eat, and cuddle together. Most of all, grandparents give lots of kisses and so much love!

Grandfather and I

Illustrated by: Jan Ormerod
Age Level: 3-6

Everybody is in such a hurry these days--mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers. About the only people who aren't in a hurry are grandfathers. With them there is always time to stop...and look...just as long as you like.

Grandfather Counts

Girl counting with her grandfather
Illustrated by: Ange Zhang
Age Level: 6-9

Helen has trouble communicating with her grandfather who has just moved to the United States from China. She speaks no Chinese, Gong Gong speaks no English. Nonetheless, they begin to learn from the other as they watch and count trains together.

Grandfather's Journey

Grandfather's Journey
By: Allen Say
Age Level: 6-9

A young man travels from his native Japan to the vast country called America before returning to visit his home with his bride. The exquisite watercolors give the appearance of a family photo album as it relates this autobiographical but universal story of immigration.

 

Grandfather's Story Cloth

Grandfather's Story Cloth
Illustrated by: Stuart Loughridge
Age Level: Middle Grade
Language: Hmong

Product Description: Chersheng's grandfather is beginning to forget things: little things like turning off the water faucet and big things like Chersheng's name. Then Chersheng's mother presents him with a story cloth stitched by Grandfather himself, embroidered in the Hmong tradition, and Grandfather's memories of his life in Laos come alive.

In America

Age Level: 6-9

Many years ago, Walter's grandfather left Lithuania and his brother Herschel to come to America. It was a difficult decision, he explains to Walter, but one that he felt he had to make as a Jew. Walter's questions allow his grandfather to share the story of that decision and his journey — as well as the wonderful ways he and Herschel keep in touch after so many years. Snapshots painted in watercolor lend a feeling of looking a family album, bridging the traditions of the old country with opportunities of the new. Out of print but used or library copies may be available.

Indian Shoes

Indian Shoes
Age Level: 6-9, 9-12

What do Indian shoes look like, anyway? Like beautiful beaded moccasins... or hightops with bright orange shoelaces? Ray Halfmoon, a young Cherokee-Seminole boy living in Chicago with his grandpa, prefers hightops, but he gladly trades them for a nice pair of moccasins for his grandpa. After all, it's Grampa Halfmoon who's always there to help Ray get in and out of scrapes and share a laugh. Award-winning author Cynthia Leitich Smith writes with wit and candor about a boy and his grandfather, sharing all their love, joy, and humor.

Kunu's Basket: A Story from Indian Island

Illustrated by: Susan Drucker
Age Level: 6-9

Product Description: Young Kunu wants to make a pack basket on his own. He's watched his dad and his grandfather make baskets on Indian Island, but now that he's trying to make one for himself, it's not as easy as he thought it would be. Kunu isn't a quitter, but he gets so frustrated that he has to go outside to cool off. When his grandfather asks Kunu to help him with some basket-making tasks, Kunu comes to understand that it is the tradition in his family for one generation to help the next. His grandfather shows him the way, and at last Kunu's first basket is something to celebrate.

My Tata's Guitar

Illustration of grandfather teaching grandson to play guitar
Illustrated by: Daniel Lechón
Age Level: 3-6
Language: Spanish, Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

When a little boy explores his grandfather's garage, he finds a treasure — his grandfather's old guitar. He learns that the guitar has provided the music for Christmas posadas, love songs, and campfires. Nothing is more exciting for the boy, however, than the moment that his grandfather offers to teach him how to play his guitar. The story and illustrations offer a lovely tribute to Latino families and traditions. Bilingual text.

My Tata's Remedies

Illustration of boy and grandfather mixing medicine
Illustrated by: Antonio Castro L.
Age Level: 6-9
Language: Spanish, Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

Aaron, who lives in the American Southwest, has asked his grandfather Tata to teach him about the healing remedies he uses. Tata is a neighbor and family elder. People come to him all the time for his soothing solutions and for his compassionate touch and gentle wisdom. Tata knows how to use herbs, teas, and plants to help each one. His wife, Grandmother Nana, is there too, bringing delicious food and humor to help Tata's patients heal. An herbal remedies glossary at the end of the book includes useful information about each plant, plus botanically correct drawings.

Nimoshom and His Bus

Man in front of a school bus
Illustrated by: Karen Hibbard
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6
Language: Cree

Nimoshom loved to drive the school bus. Every day, on the way to and from school, he had something to say to the children who rode his bus. Sometimes, he told the kids silly stories. Sometimes, he taught the kids a new word in Cree. Nimoshom and His Bus introduces readers to basic Cree words. A glossary is included in the back of the book.

Remembering Grandpa

Remembering Grandpa
Illustrated by: Layne Johnson
Age Level: 6-9

Product Description: Daysha's grandma has come down with a bad case of sadness. Grandpa has been gone for over a year. Sad isn't how Daysha remembers Grandpa, so she sets out to collect all the things that would bring happy memories, such as a button that fell off Grandpa's coat and his old guitar. As Daysha had hoped, they bring back happy memories, and Grandma agrees that this is the best way to remember Grandpa. Uma Krishnaswami's simple and heartfelt story is illustrated with loving care by Layne Johnson.

Tomás and the Library Lady

By: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: Raúl Colón

Tomás, child of migrant workers, visits the town library to find stories like the ones told by his grandfather. There he meets a librarian who provides him with a cool place, stories and books, and friendship before Tomás and his family move on to the next place. Handsomely illustrated in earth tones, this touching story was inspired by the real life of writer and educator, Tomás Rivera. Also available in Spanish.