January 1, 2023
A grandchild describes what it's like when a grandmother moves in. No matter what your grandma's "usual habitat" is, she might leave her home to live with your family, the helpful grandchild narrator explains, switching quickly from second person to first to describe their own experience. The child is enthusiastic and welcoming even as Grandma needs some time to get used to the new environment, setting up her room and finding places for all her plants. This grandma is a gardener, and the analogy carries throughout the book: Like plants, Grandma needs food, water, and "lots of light." Kang's illustrations do some heavy lifting, reminiscent of Marla Frazee's in their level of detail and the ways they support the text (and sometimes counterpoint it in humorous ways). Color is used effectively to communicate tone and mood; when Grandma is "a little wilted," the palette shifts to a subdued gray, but most pages feature warm light and the plants' various shades of green. Family members have tan skin; Grandma has short gray hair, while the others have dark hair. This specific story of a household gaining a new member is told in a broadly applicable way that will feel familiar to many families. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Warmth and love shine through this tale of intergenerational bonding. (Picture book. 3-7)
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May 1, 2023
Immediately establishing a tongue-in-cheek tone, Mook-Sang’s wry take on how an East Asian–presenting family adjusts when Grandma moves in is narrated by an enthusiastic grandchild. “In their usual habitats,” the child begins, taking the tone of a nature documentary, “you might find grandmas baking, gardening, rug hooking, parasailing and bungee jumping.... One day, your grandma may leave her home—for yours!” When the protagonist’s grandmother does just that, the grandchild takes over, facilitating the transition with granular attentiveness. The eagar narration reads as mild—“I kept her company whenever she needed some quiet time”—though Ling Kang’s expressive watercolor-and-ink-style illustrations convey Grandma’s gentle side-eye as the ever-present child perches unceasingly alongside her. While the text retains its caretaking tone (“I fed my grandma regularly”), light-stippled wash images from Ling Kang show the two finding their way, as in a spread of the child playing an instrument while Grandma wears headphones. It’s a homey, humorous take on two figures establishing routines in a shared habitat. Ages 3–7.
December 8, 2023
Gr 1-3-This is a moving tale with watercolor illustrations on how to make sure a newly moved-in grandma adjusts well to her new environment, from watering her and feeding her, to helping her keep tidy and making certain she is entertained. The light, airy illustrations perfectly capture the bits of life that unfold on the page, and the often unspoken but tender care the unnamed protagonist takes with her grandmother is heartwarming and evocative of how so many young ones view their roles when a new person moves into the home. Without explicitly referencing dementia or the perils of the aging process, this nuanced text captures the ways that aging impacts grandparents and their relationships, and provides a positive engagement for young readers looking to lend a hand to elders in their life. VERDICT Sweet without being saccharine or didactic, this is perfect for readers who have a beloved elder in their life.-Aryssa Damron
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