"I showed her around and introduced her
to our pets and neighbors and other family
members.
I helped her create a personal space that was
all hers, and we decorated it with her
favorite things."
The child narrator of this book is quick to let readers know that she knows quite a lot about grandmas. Should a grandma move from her home to live with her granddaughter and family (as this one does), things change for everyone. The first thing to be done is helping the grandma to get to know and enjoy her new space. It may take some time. There are new people to meet in the neighborhood, and even in the house if you count pets and stuffies.
Making her room her own takes careful thought, and lots of help. She needs familiar belongings and quiet spaces. Having a granddaughter as constant companion can be a bit of a challenge for a woman looking for peace and quiet, and a chance to enjoy her favorite pastimes without company. The little girl is endlessly anxious to make sure Grandma has the best of all things.
Grandma loves green growing plants and time spent gardening. Our narrator recognizes that Grandma needs all the same things plants need: water, food, and light. She occasionally needs some 'tidying' as well. Help is provided whenever it is needed. Allowing time to settle in results in a loving, happy space for all.
Watercolor and pencil illustrations perfectly suit the tone and action provided in the text. There are plenty of amusing and telling details, giving context to the time it takes to help Grandma make the necessary transition. Color choice is reflected in mood changes, but mostly in the joy of light and vegetation. I love the way this household and Grandma respond to the changes, and the joy of adding a new member to it.
"My grandma was discombobulated
by changes to her routine. But I was
patient. Eventually, we found plans
that worked for everyone."
Brava!
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