Picture Books about Grandparents

A Day’s Work
by Eve Bunting

Francisco is thrilled when he helps his grandfather find work for the day. But the lie Francisco told to get Abuelo the job lands them in a bit of trouble. Francisco may have thought that Abuelo couldn’t get along without his help, but in the end it’s Abuelo’s lessons about honesty and integrity that are the most valuable.

A Morning with Grandpa
by Sylvia Liu

When spirited Mei Mei finds her grandfather practicing tai chi, she jumps in and adds her own enthusiastic panache to the graceful moves. But can Mei Mei help Gong Gong learn some yoga, too? Told with humor and lyrical prose, this sweet story celebrates the joy of the special relationship between a little girl and her grandfather.

Circle Unbroken
by Margot Theis Raven

When a young girl asks her grandmother how she learned to weave baskets, the resulting tale leads the girl through her family’s memories of sweetgrass baskets, slavery, and freedom. In Circle Unbroken, Margot Theis Raven weaves a story that winds its way through generations and across continents.

Crouching Tiger
by Ying Chang Compestine

Vinson is excited about his grandfather’s visit from China, but his excitement soon wears thin. Grandfather’s Tai Chi moves are way too slow. And why does Grandfather have to keep calling him Ming Da? But before long, Vinson begins to realize that being Chinese is actually very special.

Grandfather Gandhi
by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus

Arun Gandhi’s Grandfather Gandhi offers a rare look into the private family life of Mahatma Gandhi. As Arun shares the lessons he learned as a young boy living in his grandfather’s village, readers are drawn to appreciate and learn from the love and respect that a young boy has for his grandfather.

Grandfather’s Journey
by Allen Say

Allen Say’s Grandfather’s Journey traces his grandfather’s steps from the villages of Japan to the mountains of California, and then back and forth again. Through the years, the strong attraction of the memories of “home” keeps the journey alive for generations of a Japanese-American family.

Grandpa Green
by Lane Smith

In this creatively illustrated picture book, Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Lane Smith paints life in all its green, whimsical glory. Sculpted evergreens illustrate a loving great-grandson’s recollections of the seasons, milestones, and passions of Grandpa Green’s eventful—and wonderful—life.

How to Babysit a Grandpa
by Jean Reagan

Jean Reagan’s New York Times bestselling “how-to” book is full of advice for any child who’s getting ready for a visit from Grandpa! After all, babysitting Grandpa is no easy task. You have to find the yummiest snacks and the best games. How to Babysit a Grandpa is guaranteed to turn any kid into the perfect babysitter.

Little Bear’s Visit
by Maurice Sendak

What could be more wonderful than a special visit with the people you love? Well, for Little Bear, there is nothing better than the fun and laughter that a visit with Grandfather and Grandmother Bear brings. Maurice Sendak’s classic Little Bear’s Visit is a great chapter book for emerging readers.

Max and the Tag-along Moon
by Floyd Cooper

“The ol’ moon will always shine for you … on and on!” It’s a special promise that Grandpa makes to Max as they gaze up at the moon together. And all the way home, Max watches as the moon tags along, just like Grandpa said it would. Soft, moonlit illustrations provide the perfect backdrop for Floyd Cooper’s sweet story.

Nana in the City
by Lauren Castillo

Lauren Castillo’s 2015 Caldecott Honor-winning Nana in the City is a wonderful read-aloud. The boy loves his Nana, but he does not love the city. The city is too loud, and has too many scary things. But the boy’s Nana gives him a special gift, and suddenly the boy feels much braver. Maybe the city isn’t so bad after all!

Ruby’s Wish
by Shirin Yim Bridges

Ruby was a little girl in China who loved to wear red. At the turn of the century, most little girls in China didn’t go to school. Ruby loved school and wanted to keep learning, but only the boys in Ruby’s family went to university. Until one day when Ruby’s grandfather gave Ruby a surprise that changed everything.

The Napping House
by Audrey and Don Wood

If you’ve met “the old lady who swallowed a fly,” you’ll love Audrey and Don Wood’s classic cumulative story, The Napping House. This is no ordinary house. Yes, it’s a nice house with a dog, a bed, a cat, a child, and a granny, but it’s not ordinary. That’s because everyone in the house is napping. Everyone.

The Raft
by Jim LaMarche

Nicky isn’t looking forward to his summer at Grandma’s cabin by the river. She doesn’t even have a TV. But then Nicky discovers The Raft. The raft turns a summer of boredom into a summer of fun as Nicky discovers the wonders of life as a river rat. But best of all, Nicky discovers how wonderful Grandma is.

Thunder Cake
by Patricia Polacco

If your little one is afraid of thunderstorms, this Patricia Polacco classic is just what he needs. The next time the thunder starts to rumble and light flashes across the sky, just let Babushka keep your little one’s mind off the storm. All it takes is a slice of Babushka’s Thunder Cake and a little bit of bravery.

Watch Out for the Chicken Feet in Your Soup by Tomie dePaola

In Watch Out for the Chicken Feet in Your Soup, prolific children’s author Tomie dePaola delivers another masterpiece. Joey is embarrassed to have his friend meet his old Italian grandma. But when Grandma wins Eugene over with her “grandmotherly” ways, Joey realizes his Grandma is pretty cool after all!