Grandpas, Piranhas, and Other Stories

Gr 1-3–In this warm celebration of grandparents, young Nico first describes the many ways Grandpa Rodrigo is a constant part of his life, from teaching him how to ride a bike and sharing a dislike of broccoli soup to “sailing” inside a big cardboard box into playful adventures with pretend pirates and piranhas. He then goes on to introduce Rita, Amadeo, and the rest of a racially diverse set of friends with equally engaged grandpas, grandmas, and great-grandparents of their own, including one elder who sometimes forgets his way but passes out lollipops to children who escort him out to buy the newspaper and then back home. Except for the time he goes off on a trip with Rita’s gram, Rodrigo and his grandson are inseparable; Nico ends with a vision of carrying their closeness on into the next generation. In cartoon illustrations that reflect the narrative’s cozy tone, Bonilla depicts children mingling comfortably with, and learning from, active seniors in both domestic and public settings.