Celebrate Grandparents Day Extravaganza!
Sunday, September 10th at 2 p.m.
For: Families & Children
Location: Galaxy Hall
Come join us at the Library to celebrate Grandparents Day with a storytime, a craft activity and a photo booth! We'll be joined by Grandpas United who will have a table with information and swag as well!
History of Grandparents Day
Jacob Reingold of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale who attended the 1961 White House Conference on Aging was inspired to recognize the role of millions of older Americans as grandparents. Due to his efforts that year, on September 16, 1961; the first day specifically honoring grandparents was held at the Hebrew Home, and by 1963 it became an official holiday in the borough of the Bronx. In 1969, 9-year-old Russell Capper sent a letter to President Richard Nixon advocating for a dedicated day for grandparents, and in 1970, Marian McQuade began a campaign to establish a special national day of recognition for grandparents. Finally, in 1978 the United States Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day and a presidential proclamation was signed by President Jimmy Carter on August 3, 1978. The proclamation states Grandparents Day is to be celebrated “…to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
25 Great Early Childhood Titles to Celebrate Grandparents Day
One, Two, Grandma Loves You by Shelley Becker
Library Catalog
From acclaimed creators Shelly Becker and Dan Yaccarino comes this joyful picture book about a girl and her grandmother as they plan the perfect visit together.
Sari-Sari Summers by Lynnor BontigaoLibrary Catalog
In this love letter to the Philippines (and to grandmothers), a young girl comes up with a brilliantly delicious way to attract customers after a heat wave leaves her lola's store empty.
Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley NewtonLibrary Catalog
When Grandma Mimi comes to visit, her granddaughter cannot wait to see what treasures she has hidden in her purse.
Nana in the City by Lauren CastilloNana en la Ciudad by Lauren Castillo
Library Catalog
A young boy is frightened by how busy and noisy the city is when he goes there to visit his Nana, but she makes him a fancy red cape that keeps him from being scared as she shows him how wonderful a place it is.
A Song of Frutas by Margarita EngleLibrary Catalog
Un Pregón de frutas by Margarita Engle
Library Catalog
While visiting her abuelo in Cuba, a young girl helps him sell frutas, singing the name of each fruit as they walk, and after she returns to the United States, they exchange letters made of abrazos–hugs. Includes historical and cultural notes.
Nana, Nenek and Nina by Liza FerneyhoughLibrary Catalog
Nina loves visiting her two faraway grandmas-one in Malaysia and one in England. Spot the similarities and differences between their homes in this cozy and beautifully illustrated picture book!
I Really Want to See You, Grandma by Taro GomiLibrary Catalog
Yumi and her grandmother have the same great idea: They want to see each other. So they each head out to do just that, only to completely miss each other along the way! No problem, they'll just head back home and wait for the other to return. The trouble is that they have the same great idea again resulting in the ultimate missed connection!
My Paati’s Saris by Jyoti Rajan GopalLibrary Catalog
A Tamil boy explores his love for his grandmother and her colorful sari collection in this tale of expressing your true self.
Abuelita and I Make Flan by Adriana Hernandez BergstromLibrary Catalog
Anita helps her grandmother make flan for her grandfather's birthday.
My Grandma and Me by Mina JavaherbinLibrary Catalog
In a true tale of a young girl in Iran and her grandmother, this beautiful ode to family celebrates small moments of love that become lifelong memories. In this big universe full of many moons, I have traveled and seen many wonders, but I have never loved anything or anyone the way I love my grandma. While Mina is growing up in Iran, the center of her world is her grandmother.
Drawn Together by Minh LêLibrary Catalog
When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens–with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.
Our Favorite Day by Joowon OhLibrary Catalog
Every morning Papa follows his normal routine. He drinks his tea, waters his plants, tidies up, and takes the bus into town. Papa enjoys his daily tasks, but there's one day each week that is extra special. That's the day he might visit the craft store, get two orders of dumplings to go, and possibly pick some flowers he sees along the path. With its spare text and wonderfully warm watercolor and cut-paper illustrations just begging to be poured over, Joowon Oh's tale of the singular love between a grandfather and granddaughter will nestle within the heart of every reader.
I’ll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRoccaLibrary Catalog
When Jyoti visits her grandmother halfway around the world, she is overwhelmed by the differences between India and home. At first she feels lonely and out of place, but soon, despite a language barrier, she and Sita Pati are able to understand each other. They form a bond–looking at books together, making designs with colored sand, shopping at the market, playing games, eating chapatis, and sipping warm milk with saffron to bring sweet dreams. When it's time to part, Jyoti doesn't want to leave, but then she remembers that in Tamil, people don't say goodbye, they say “I'll go and come back.” Sure enough, the two reunite the next summer when Pati visits Jyoti in America, and it's Jyoti's turn to make her grandmother feel welcome. Can they create some special memories that will last until the next time they see each other?
Bubbe’s Got the Beat by Judy PressLibrary Catalog
“Walkin' with my family, Lookin' mighty neat, Gonna see my bubbe, She's got the beat!” Join in the fun as a kid and his bubbe prepare for Shabbat!
How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean ReaganLibrary Catalog
Cómo cuidar a tu abuela by Jean Reagan
Library Catalog
When you babysit a grandma, if you're lucky . . . it's a sleepover at her house! And with the useful tips found in this book, you're guaranteed to become an expert grandma-sitter in no time. (Be sure to check out the sections on: How to keep a grandma busy; Things to do at the park; Possible places to sleep, and what to do once you're both snugly tucked in for the night.)
How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean ReaganLibrary Catalog
Cómo cuidar a tu abuelo by Jean Reagan
Library Catalog
Here's everything a kid needs to know to spend a fun-filled day with grandpa! Written in a how-to style, the narrator gives important tips for “babysitting” a grandpa, including what to eat for snack (anything dipped in ketchup, ice cream topped with cookies, cookies topped with ice cream) what to do on a walk (find lizards and dandelion puffs, be on the lookout for puddles and sprinklers), and how to play with a grandpa (build a pirate cave, put on a scary play).
A Grand Day by Jean ReidyLibrary Catalog
“A million kisses! Hugs! Hooray! Our grand day begins this way.” Whether planting a garden, having a picnic, or baking, any day spent together is sure to be grand. Follow all kinds of family configurations as grandparents and grandchildren celebrate togetherness.
Platanos are Love by Alyssa Reynoso-MorrisLibrary Catalog
A delicious picture book about the ways plantains shape Latinx culture, community, and family, told through a young girl's experiences in the kitchen with her abuela.
On the Trapline by David A. RobertsonLibrary Catalog
A picture book celebrating Indigenous culture and traditions. The Governor General Award–winning team behind When We Were Alone shares a story that honors our connections to our past and our grandfathers and fathers.
My Nana and Me by Irene SmallsLibrary Catalog
A young girl and her grandmother enjoy a day filled with tea parties, hide-and-seek, stories, and plenty of love.
Pop Pop and Me and a Recipe by Irene SmallsLibrary Catalog
A cooking story for young and old (Includes an original Recipe for Lemon Bar Cake) Pop Pop and Me and A Recipe is a delicious blend of cooking and caring. Pop Pop and Me and A Recipe celebrates the love between a grandson and his grandfather. Join Pop Pop and his grandson as they beat, batter and bond baking the young boy's favorite Lemon Bar Cake.
Granny’s Kitchen: A Jamaican Story of Food and Family by Sadé SmithLibrary Catalog
Shelly-Ann lives with her Granny on the beautiful island of Jamaica. When Shelly-Ann becomes hungry, she asks her Granny for something to eat. Granny tells her “Gyal, you betta can cook!” and teaches Shelly-Ann how to get in touch with her Jamaican roots through the process of cooking. As Shelly-Ann tries each recipe, everything goes wrong. But when Granny is too tired to cook one morning, Shelly-Ann will have to find the courage to try one more time.
Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam WalkerLibrary Catalog
In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother–whose face bears traditional tribal markings–to meet her classmates. This is a perfect read for back to school!
Grandad’s Camper by Harry WoodgateLibrary Catalog
A child who enjoys Grandad's stories of his travels and adventures with Gramps persuades him to fix up their old camper and take another trip, in honor of Gramps.
The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia YangLibrary Catalog
A warmhearted and tender true story about a young girl finding beauty where she never thought to look. Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with a great deal of love and little money. Weaving together Kalia's story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family's early years in the United States.
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