As a branch assistant, I love celebrating seniors at the library. Nanas, papas, omas, opas, abuelas, abuelitos, grandma and grandpas are so important to the development of a child. I find that many grandparents bring their grandchildren to our weekly story time, and it is awesome to see. Intergenerational picture books and intergenerational story time in general, can be a profound way for children and grandparents to connect.
I’ve sourced out 15 intergenerational picture books that are my absolute favorite. I encourage you to check out your local library for any of these to read with your children or pass along to that special grandparent in their life. Intergenerational stories can offer beautiful life lessons to both young and old.
Grandmother School – Rina Sing, Ellen Rooney
“It’s never too late to learn!” Grandmother School is, based on a true story from India, is about grandmothers who attend school for the first time. The story is told in the voice of the granddaughter as she cheers on her grandmother, Aaji. In a village where everyone can read and write except the grandmothers, a school is built to teach the older women.
Why you should read Grandmother School: This is a great book not only for its intergenerational value but for its discussion on gender equality and privilege. Aaji and her granddaughter celebrate the simple task of learning to spell her name. It is a great opportunity to work with younger kids on spelling their names and for older kids to discuss how we take such basic skills for granted. Grandmother School is rich in story, as well as its vibrant illustrations.
You can find Grandmother School on Amazon.
Gigi and Ojiji – Melissa Iwai
Gigi’s grandfather is coming from Japan to live with her family. She is so excited to spend time with him, but Gigi has a lot to learn about Japanese customs. Gigi makes a special gift for her Ojiisan, that’s Japanese for grandfather, but does he even like it…or her??
Why you should read Gigi and Ojiji: Even within a family, there can be cultural differences. This simple book explores how those differences can lead to miscommunications in terms a child can understand. It is a great lesson about seeing things from others’ point of view….neither are right nor wrong. Finally, as Gigi learns some basic Japanese words to communicate with her Ojiji, young readers are invited to learn as well.
You can find Gigi and Ojiji on Amazon.
When I Found Grandma – Saumiya Balasubramaniam, Qin Leng
Maya’s grandmother comes for a visit, traveling from thousands of miles away. At first, Maya is excited for the visit, but then finds she doesn’t like how her grandma talks, cooks, or dresses. Their differences frustrate Maya until they go on a special outing together, and Maya gets lost.
Why you should read When I Found Grandma: This is a sweet story about recognizing even though grandparents may behave in ways that embarrass children, it is the love they feel for them that is most important. Maya wants her grandmother to be more American in the ways she cooks, prays, dresses, and even how she says her name. This book is about accepting the ones we love for who they are on the inside.
When I Found Grandma is available on Amazon.
A Cup of Quiet – Nikki Grimes, Cathy Ann Johnson
A mindful book about escaping the noise of the day and enjoying ‘a cup of quiet.’ Grandma and granddaughter venture to the garden to soak in the calming sounds of nature. The duo finds stillness amongst the bees, the leaves, the wind, and the birds filling up their quiet cup together.
Why You Should Read a Cup of Quiet: As a yoga teacher, I love any books that teach mindfulness, the practice of concentrating on one task at a time. In A Cup of Quiet, grandmother and granddaughter practice mindfulness as they bring their full attention to the sounds around the garden. Buzz, chirp, whistle, crunch. This intergenerational story is about sharing thoughtful, precious time together; a great lesson for all of us in today’s bustling, noisy world.
You can find A Cup of Quiet on Amazon.
Grandad’s Camper – Harry Woodgate
Gramps and Granddad did everything together, but when Gramps died, Grandad lost his sense of adventure. Their sweet granddaughter comes up with an idea to renovate their old camper, inspiring her grandad to travel again. This is a lovely picture book about an intergenerational bond and new beginnings at any age.
Why you should read Grandad’s Camper: A beautiful story to teach empathy to our young children. It will inspire readers to ask questions about grief and pride, and remind them to cherish the memories of those they have lost. Granddad’s Camper fills a gap in storybooks featuring elder LGBTQIA+ characters. This book will help foster inclusiveness and kindness in our children.
You can find Grandad’s Camper on Amazon.
The Light Within You – Namita Moolani Mehra, Kamala Nair
Young Diya is going to India for Diwali and is excited to spend time with her Nani. She has not seen her grandma since her family moved from India. While she is visiting, Diya and Nani will prepare for the festival of lights. Finally, they will be able to celebrate this special holiday together. But when the trip comes to an end all too quickly, Diya wonders how she can capture the light of Diwali and her Nani to bring back home with her.
Why You Should Read the Light Within You: This is a gorgeously illustrated boo,k definitely captivating for little ones’ eyes. This book teaches kids not only about intergenerational bonds but also about the traditions that are passed down over time. We learn about Diwali as Diya and Nani prepare and celebrate together. But most importantly, while reading this intergenerational picture book, kids will learn that these celebrations are not just about what happens on the outside (fireworks and yummy food) but what you hold in your heart and the light you carry on the inside.
You can find The Light Within You on Amazon.
Grandma and Me – Carole Boston Weatherford, Ashleigh Corrin
Grandma and Me is our first board book in the list of fav intergenerational reads. Depicting African American children and grandmothers, this sweet and simple book is the perfect introduction to intergenerational relationships. Each page illustrates fun and peaceful activities (reading, baking, cuddling) toddlers and preschoolers can do with their grandma.
Why you should read Grandma and Me: Board books are a great introduction to reading for babies and toddlers in general. Allow them to touch, turn, flip (some may even chew!) and explore the pages. Simple illustrations of all descriptions of African American grandmother figures and their grandchildren lends to children seeing themselves in these characters. This would be a perfect gift for a new grandma to read with their grandbaby.
You can find Grandma and Me on Amazon.
Grandma’s Purse – Vanessa Brantley-Newton
A charming book about a grandmother’s visit and the magic they find in her purse. Grandma Mimi is coming for a visit, and the granddaughter can’t wait. Grandma always brings special treats, but it’s the treasures in her purse that make Grandma Mimi awesome! Coins, perfume, hair clips, a mirror….what will they find in the purse this visit?
Why You Should Read Grandma’s Purse: Don’t we remember going through our mother’s jewelry box, our father’s top desk drawer, or our grandma’s purse as a child? There’s something pure about learning who your family is by what they hold next to them. This book shares a simple yet magical bonding experience between a grandmother and granddaughter. What will your child find in their grandparents’ purse?
You can find Grandma’s Purse on Amazon.
Grandpa Grumps – Katrina Moore, Xindi Yan
Daisy has her Yeh-Yeh’s visit from China all planned out. It is the first time he will be visiting, and she can’t wait to meet him. But when Yeh-Yeh arrives, she is more grumpy than Daisy expected. She has planned tea parties and snow angels, but she can’t get the grumps out of grandpa. Will Daisy be able to get him to smile before his visit his over?
Why You Should Read Grandpa Grumps: Another story about overcoming cultural differences with the arrival of a grandparent from thousands of miles away. Grandpa Grumps is funny and lighthearted, the perfect recipe to engage young children while teaching a lesson in patience and understanding. This sweet story is another great read about connecting across generations.
You can find Grandpa Grumps on Amazon.
On the Trapline – David A. Robertson, Julie Flett
This picture book celebrates not only intergenerational relationships but also Indigenous culture. A boy and his grandpa, or Moshom, take a trip to a trapline where Moshom grew up. During their travels northward, the boy begins to imagine what it must have been like two generations ago, living and hunting off the land. This story is co-written by a Cree-Metis author and illustrator, making it a tribute to the past fathers, connections to the land, and Indigenous traditions.
Why You Should Read On the Trapline: This poetic story is important for children to read, as it teaches them about both Indigenous culture and the people whose lands we live on today. As a society, both young and old, we can take the time to learn about the history of Indigenous people, and what a beautiful way to do it is to read a book together. This story is a testament to the appreciation of those who came before us, regardless of the culture from which they descended. By sharing it, we can encourage our children to be more mindful of their grandparents’ journey.
You can find On the Trapline on Amazon.
The Keeper of Wild Words – Brooke Smith, Madeline Kloepper
What a treasure of a story is The Keeper of Wild Words. Grandmother Mimi and her granddaughter Brooke love to explore the woods. Mimi finds some of her favorite words can be found during a walk in nature…buttercup, blackberry, apricot. But when she learns that some of these words are disappearing in the English language, she appoints Brooke as The Keeper of Wild Words. A bond between grandmother and granddaughter becomes the sacred treasure of nature’s words.
Why You Should Read The Keeper of Wild Words: Again, another beautiful portrayal of the special relationship between a child and a grandparent to share with your littles. What a lovely springtime, out in the backyard or on a picnic, this would be. This is a great educational piece for the child who loves to be outside, who loves to explore and discover nature’s gifts. It may even lend to some new vocabulary.
You can find The Keeper of Wild Words on Amazon.
Grandpa and Me – Karen Katz
Another board book for our littlest readers, Grandpa and Me is an interactive lift-the-flap book. Katz is famous for her adorable lift-the-flaps, and this story about making pizza with grandpa is a winner. Kids can lift the flaps and find the missing utensils and ingredients as they learn to make a pizza. They will want to read over and over again!
Why You Should Read Grandpa and Me: Kids love interactive books, and with lift-the-flaps, you can never go wrong (until the flaps are torn off, of course) to grasp a new reader’s attention. Introduce that intergenerational bonding experience, in this case, making pizza, with your babies and toddlers. Another opportunity for a grandparent to share this book with their grandbabies.
You can find Grandpa and Me on Amazon.
Just Grandma, Grandpa and Me – Mercer Mayer
Classic and heartwarming Mercer Mayer books are always popular at the library. In this endearing story, children will read about Little Critter’s day spent just with grandma and grandpa. On this adventure Little Critter has a sleepover with his grandparents but in the middle of the night a thunderstorm rolls in. Will he make it through the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s?
Why You Should Read Just Grandma, Grandpa and Me: This story is super fun as it is told from Little Critter’s innocent point of view. When the thunderstorm rolls in, he climbs into bed with his grandparents, because THEY are the scared ones. This would be a fun read to prepare children for their first sleepover with grandma and grandpa. Even better, send it along with your child on their grandparent sleepover and give them a laugh together. This book reminds us of those special memories we make as children with our grandparents.
You can find Just Grandma, Grandpa and Me on Amazon.
Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s – Jan and Stan Berenstain
How can you not mention a Berenstain book in a favorite library book list! These classic children’s books certainly cover all the special growing-up moments of childhood, and a visit to the grandparents hasn’t been missed. When Brother and Sister are sent to stay at Grandma and Grandpa’s for a week, there are tears and worries. The visit turns out to be filled with adventure as the foursome explores the attic, goes fishing, and bakes cookies.
Why You Should Read Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s: I haven’t met a child or parent who doesn’t enjoy a Berenstain Bears story, which makes them an obvious choice for our list of intergenerational picture books. The Week at Grandma’s is relatable for little ones who worry about being away from their mom and dad. Here is another example of a great book to read with children before they go off for an overnight stay. The cubs do have a wonderful time at their grandparents and realize that they can learn so much from those older and wiser than themselves. A positive and empathetic story to share with your children as they spend more time with their grandparents.
You can find Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s on Amazon.
Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps – Srividhya Venkat, Kavita Ramchandran
One Sunday, Varun follows his sister Varsha to her dance class. When he peaks in, he is instantly mesmerized by the enchanting ‘bharatanatyam’, a dance from India that his sister is learning. At home, Varun, afraid of being scorned for dancing as a boy, practices the dance in secret. It is his grandfather, Thatha, who encourages Varun to continue learning the ancient classical dance.
Why You Should Read ‘Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps’: This story about a multigenerational family discovering a mutual love for dance offers many important lessons. It squashes gender norms, including ‘ boys don’t dance’, encourages kids to be uniquely themselves, and showcases a powerful connection between grandfather and grandson. This intergenerational picture book is a lovely example of the power of music and the importance of passing on traditions.
You can find Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps on Amazon.
Reading with our children is crucial for their development and is a priceless opportunity for quality time spent together. In sharing these intergenerational stories, I hope it encourages readers to source them out at their local library. So many valuable lessons can be learned in the pages of a book: respect, love, kindness, mindfulness, patience, inclusion, diversity. These lessons can transcend generations and cultures simply by opening a book.
While there are many excellent intergenerational picture books to choose from on this list, don’t forget to share your favorites with your children as well. If you have a younger child at home, check out some of our favorite board books for toddlers including board books about spring, summer board books, board books about autumn, and winter board books.
