The Truth About Grandparents written and illustrated by Elina Ellis is a delightful look at a pair of fun-loving grandparents through the eyes of their young grandson. The jubilant cover showing grandmother, grandfather, grandson and a little brown dog all joyously jumping on a trampoline sets the lively tone.
This story starts with the grandson saying he has heard some strange things about grandparents such as that they are not much fun, they are slow, clumsy, quiet and don’t like to try anything new. However, these descriptions just don’t match his experiences with his own grandparents with whom he enjoys fun-filled roller coaster rides and jam sessions on the drums with grandpa on trombone, grandma on saxophone and a host of their friends joining in on the music-making.
The illustrations are done in pen, ink, gouache and photoshop on smooth glossy paper. Splashes of red including grandpa’s red bow tie, grandma’s red dress and grandson’s red and white stripped T shirt add to the vigor of the story. The picture of all three of them at a yoga class defying the description of grandparents as “not bendy” is wonderful!
The whole picture book including the awesome end papers is devoted to showing grandparents as fun-loving, active, and engaging people who enjoy life, each other and their grandson. In fact, grandson sums it up on the last page by saying, “Grandparents are…AMAZING!”
The Truth About Grandparents written and illustrated by Elina Ellis is a treat for children 4-8 years of age in celebration of Grandparents’ Day (Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers, 2019).
The Children’s Bookshelf is a production of WCMU. A link to the podcast and activity questions can be found at Children’s Bookshelf dot org.
Questions for The Truth About Grandparents
The end papers, filled with drawings of the “stuff” the grandparents have collected over the years, tell many stories about them. Take a look and find the following items, equipment and clothing that support the fact that these grandparents are fun-loving: masks, tennis rackets, cowboy hat, suitcases, books, a bicycle built for two, costumes, boxing gloves, ice skates, deep sea diving equipment, a jumping rope, surf board, umbrellas, sun hat and many teapots. Select one or two items and make up a short story about why, when or where the grandparents used them or found them. Use your imagination!
Look at the illustration that shows the little boy stretched out on the ground with his grandparents as they count shooting stars in the night sky. What have you done with your grandparents that was fun and adventurous? Think about it. It could be learning how to fish, going for walks in a corn maze, or throwing rocks so they skip in the water. Draw a picture of you and your grandparents during this special time. Godparents also qualify as Grandparents when needed.
Study the final illustration in this book. How does it make you feel? Give it a title that matches your feelings.
