Grandads are the greatest by Ben Faulks and Nia Tufor

A celebration of all grandfathers is captured in this rhyming text as Ben Faulks shows that grandfathers from many generations do the same thing in cherishing, loving and supporting their grandchildren. At the Grandad’s Summer Picnic the little girl asks to sit on her grandfather’s knee, asking about the grandpas that came before. Each of the grandpas tells a story in a stanza which shows the range of grandpas and their work. One grandpa is a baker, well known for his cakes, one is a builder who has built a hundred homes and now retired, building one for his grandson, one is an explorer who has travelled widely, another an inventor who has made an extraordinary set of popcorn powered wings. Each man has excelled in his profession, surprising the grandchildren with their diversity. No two are the same. Another is a barber, astounding the children with the range of haircuts he has done, one is a fisherman, telling tales of mermaids and sea creatures and whales, but while her grandpa does not tell a mesmerising story like some the others, he is the best as he sits at home, reading books to his granddaughter, singing songs with her, helping her get her act together when she gets in a muddle, giving lots of cuddles, and most importantly showing her love just like all the other grandpas.

This lovely story  of the presence of grandpas in a child’s life will enchant younger readers as they recall the place their grandfather has in their life. They will recount stories of walks in the park, songs and books, cooking and sharing, of being with him and sharing the love that binds them together. Charmingly illustrated by Nia Tudor, a freelance illustrator who lives in the UK, children will love checking out the detail, looking for the animals, comparing the grandfathers depicted, and perhaps set up their own Granddads’ Summer Picnic and invite them all along to show how much they care.

Themes: Grandfathers, Love, Diversity, Humour, Verse.

Fran Knight