Book: When I see Grandma
Author: Debra Tidball
Illustrator: Leigh Hedstrom
Hardback: 32 pages
Publisher: Wombat Books, Australia, 2014
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1921632594
RRP: AUD $19.99

Reviewed By: Penny Reeve

Blurb:  A young girl visits her Grandma and ‘brightens her dreams’ whilst her little brother charms the nursing home residents with his playful antics. This is a joyful and poignant celebration of life and love with vibrant illustrations of present day and yesteryear. A delightful insight into the transforming power of children and love to enjoy with your kids, grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

What I thought: Illustrated by Leigh Hedstrom, When I see Grandma is a beautiful hard cover picture book. The story is about a girl and her brother as they visit their Grandma in a nursing home. Grandma is apparently unaware of their visits and care, but in her dreams she relives her life story – the memories sparked most probably by her grand-daughter’s actions. The tone of the book is loving and includes a predictable repetitiveness that sets the reader up for powerful emotional impact at the book’s end.

Child readers will enjoy the way the main characters takes the everyday-ness of life and turn it into something fun to do with Grandma. Older readers will appreciate the vintage style illustrations as Grandma’s life story is told through pictures. Leigh Hedstom has done a magical job of painting a completely unspoken story of love and family commitment.

The ending of this book will have adults choking back tears and trying to keep their voice steady as the child goes through the pictures again. But the layering in it (deeper meanings for adult readers, gentler ones for kids) is done so naturally it feels perfect.  This book is a keeper.

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Where to buy: Australian readers will probably be able to purchase this book from their local bookstore. Both Christian and general market stores will stock this title as the content is sensitively done. International orders are best made online from the publisher who offers very reasonable postage world-wide. See the Wombat Books website for more details.