Grandad's Island
A beautiful story about a young boy trying to understand why his grandad won’t be in his life anymore. With subtlety and grace, Benji Davies paints a poignant and ultimately uplifting picture of loss.
This book is innovative and useful as a way to talk about the idea of loss — without ever referring to actual death. Parents and educators can use this to talk with a child about how it's normal to be sad and miss loved ones. It can also be read to explain to children how it might seem strange to see loved ones' old houses empty but that they are in a special place and still love them very much.
Cheerful, brightly colored illustrations make this a fine choice to use with the youngest of audiences. This title also works for when a child's loved one is moving far away. At the bottom of Syd’s garden, through the gate and past the tree, is Grandad’s house. Syd can let himself in any time he likes. But one day when Syd comes to call, Grandad isn’t in any of the usual places. He’s in the attic, where he ushers Syd through a door, and the two of them journey to a wild, beautiful island awash in color where Grandad decides he will remain. So Syd hugs Grandad one last time and sets sail for home.
Grandma Bird
Noi isn’t at all sure about staying at Grandma’s. Grandma boils seaweed for soup, and there’s not much to do on the tiny island where she lives where the wind cuts in and the grass grows sideways. But that’s before Noi gets swept up in the dramatic rescue that will mark the beginning of their touching new friendship.
A lovely story about children getting to know their grandparents.
About the Author
Benji studied animation at university where he learnt how to tell stories with pictures. In his work he aims to capture how it feels to be a child. His first self-penned picture book The Storm Whale won the inaugural Oscar’s Book Prize and was Dutch Picture Book Of
The Year 2017. Grandad’s Island, won the children’s book category of the AOI World Illustration Awards and was crowned Children’s Book of the Year at the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards.
Both books have since been adapted for the stage.
Format: Paperback | 32 pages