Whether they’re called Bubbe, Zayde, Savta, Saba, Nana, Papa, Grandma, or Grandpa, there’s no denying that grandparents are special. Reading a story with a grandparent builds beautiful memories while also helping develop a child’s literacy. The following books highlight the very special relationship that children form with their grandparents:
Recommended for ages 2-3
One book shares two rhyming, humorous stories of grandmas and grandpas, bubbes and zaydes, savtas and sabas – all of whom just happen to be adorable animals.
Recommended for ages 4-5
Grandma Rose sews and sews--and gives her projects away to everybody she knows. When she saves up for some nice dishes for herself, she gets a surprise.
Recommended for ages 3-4
Estie does not always know how to be around other people and sometimes when her grandmother reminds her to be a mensch, she'd rather not. She'd prefer to be a turtle or a seagull. Eventually, something happens that shows her grandmother and Estie herself what a mensch the girl can really be.
Recommended for ages 5-6
When Abby moves with her family to Israel, she misses her grandmother and remembers the fun they had with each other. Writing to each other helps, but it doesn’t take the place of spending time together.
Recommended for ages 5-6
Where did all the stars come from?” A grandfather offers an age-old Jewish explanation to his granddaughter and, in the process, teaches her about tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Recommended for ages 8 and up
Only one thing stands between victory for Ben and his soccer team: a school bully who torments Ben. Feeling misunderstood by those who love him most, Ben finds an unexpected friend in his grandfather.
Recommended for ages 5-6
Grandfather made himself a coat when he came to America -- and now it’s wearing out. What do you think he’ll do? (Hint: He doesn’t throw it out!)
Recommended for ages 4-5
Danny’s grandmother is very prim and proper--and Danny is neither. He thinks that she doesn’t like him. But when Danny makes a big mistake, Bubbe surprises him--and shows him the love and forgiveness that is passed down generation after generation.
Recommended for ages 2-3
Teatime with Zayde is always fun! Lucky for this little one, he’s never far away, either -- thanks to the miracle of the digital age.
Recommended for ages 8 and up
In this poignant story of tradition and love passed along from one generation to the next, a prayer shawl makes its way from grandfather to grandson.
Recommended for ages 3-4
In this contemporary intergenerational tale, Jennie and her grandmother find happiness in their joint preparations for the Sabbath.
Recommended for ages 4-5
Every Saturday Noah and his grandfather go for a walk together, looking for “Shabbat Shalom” – Sabbath Peace. For what seems like the longest time to the little boy, Grandpa won’t allow Mazel, Noah’s puppy, to join them. Eventually, though, the dogis permitted to join in, with sweet results.
Recommended for ages 2 to 3
When Bubbe and her grandchild bake challah for Shabbat, they make a big mess -- and have a great time doing it. Told in rhyme, this story illustrates the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Shabbat -- and the peacefulness that settles when it arrives.
Recommended for ages 6 to 7
Jessie lives in an Eastern European shtetl. The rabbi in her town decides to give Jessie his ticket to America, where she works for years to save enough money to send for her beloved grandmother.
Recommended for ages 8 and up
Plucky Yuvi, a little Jewish girl living in Ethiopia, dreams of a place where candy grows on trees. Based on a true story, this book tells of Yuvi’s extraordinary journey to Israel with her grandmother -- a passage from famine and fear to oranges and freedom.
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August 1, 2016