For some odd reason, society frequently classifies older women as meek, helpless, frail, and addle-brained. Yet anyone who grew up with a “spunky old broad” — a term coined by author and entrepreneur Dr. Gayle Carson — in their lives knows that just because a woman is older doesn’t mean she can’t be courageous, quick-witted, and full of attitude. Therefore, to honor the sassy queens of the generations who came before us, we’ve gathered seven picture books that celebrate women growing all the better with age.
Slippery, Spicy, Tingly by Yangsook Choi
Young Keo is surprised when his mischievous and free-spirited halmoni (grandmother) turns up one day to spend time with him. Halmoni then proceeds to dig a hole in Keo’s backyard and declare that they are making kimchi. Fascinated yet suspicious of his grandmother’s seemingly odd behavior, Keo wonders if she is playing a trick on him, and when she leaves as suddenly as she appeared, he is left confused… until he unravels the mystery that she left behind and realizes the depth of her love for him. Filled with (occasionally dark) humor and plenty of heart, Halmoni and Keo’s story is sure to charm readers of all ages.
I Love My Glam-ma! by Samantha Berger, Illustrated by Sujean Rim
Grandmas go by many names, such as Nana, Oma, Bubbe, and Abuela. They have all sorts of interests, from fashion and baking to karate and rock concerts. Their purses are treasure chests filled with all sorts of wonderful things, and they’re always ready to brighten their grandchildren’s day. Casting off the notion that all grandmothers fit a stock mold, this colorful and exuberant celebration of grandmas explores the diversity of interests, activities, and special moments that grandmothers share with the youngsters in their lives, affirming that there as many varieties of grandmothers as there are individual personalities.
Bisa’s Carnaval by Joana Pastro, Illustrated by Carolina Coroa
Clara’s favorite time of year is Carnaval, and she has been excitedly preparing to celebrate with her bisa, or great-grandmother. Bisa and Clara both have a special love for the holiday. and together, they have spent the time leading up to the festivities preparing the family’s fantasias (costumes) while Clara listens to Bisa reminisce about Carnavals past. Yet when the big day comes, Bisa must stay home this year due to concerns about her advanced age. Clara tries to have fun, but it’s just not the same — can she find a way to bring Carnaval to Bisa instead? This lovely multigenerational story sends a sweet message about how older relatives enrich our families, and how we can show our appreciation in ways big and small.
My GrandMom by Gee-eun Lee, Translated by Sophie Bowman
Based on the author/illustrator’s experiences with her own GrandMom, the reader quickly learns that little Gee-eun and her grandmother have a special bond. When Gee-eun is upset, GrandMom soothes her with noodles and silly stories. When Gee-eun expresses concern that her mother will not be able to attend Family Sports Day at school, GrandMom offers to go in her place … with unfortunately disappointing results. Yet even then, she does what GrandMoms do best and finds a way to turn the day around with kindness, love, and a comforting snack. Filled with gentle warmth, this sweet story is a testament to the special relationship between elder women and their grandkiddos.
Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol
The grandmother at the center of this folktale-inspired story has some very serious knitting to do before winter comes. Unfortunately, the constant interruptions by her thirty(!) grandchildren are making it impossible. So the grandmother packs her bags and heads off to find a quiet spot to do her work, but with zero luck! Will she ever be able to finish her knitting? And, more importantly, will she ever return home? Hilariously clever yet imbued with heart, young readers will be left laughing yet learn an important lesson: while elders may love spending time with little ones, they — like everyone — are deserving of a little peace and quiet from time to time.
Grandmother School by Rina Singh, Illustrated by Ellen Rooney
Inspired by a true story from the village of Phangane, India, the young narrator of this title greets the reader by explaining that every morning, she proudly drops her aaji (grandmother) off at Aajibaichi Shala — a school built for the older women of the village where they can learn to read and write. Aaji and the other elder women work hard each day, overcoming not only the limitations of their illiteracy but also the social attitudes that lead to their right to education being suppressed in the first place. A stirring tale of both the importance of equal access to education and the courage it takes to learn something new, readers will be cheering alongside Aaji and her granddaughter until the final page.
Grandmothers Galore! by Judith Henderson & Ellen Yeomans, Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
One day, a mysterious yellow envelope arrives at the Hollyhock House, addressed only to “the greatest grandmother in the world.” As the house is filled with residents — all of them grandmothers — this naturally causes quite a stir! At first, the diverse and colorful cast of ladies argue over who the envelope should rightfully go to before deciding to throw a party for their families to get to the bottom of the mystery. While the outlandish antics and quirky outfits of the grandmothers are sure to put a smile on reader’s faces, so too will the heartwarming scenes of their relationships with their younger relatives and their friendships with one another.
We hope that you and the little bookworms in your life will enjoy these books; they’re wonderful reads for all ages, and perfect to share with the spunky old broad in your lives. Happy reading!
To learn more about Slippery, Spicy, Tingly, check out Bookstr’s exclusive interview with author and illustrator Yangsook Choi.
To see all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
