Books about grandparents and their love are some of our absolute favorites! The following 30 book recommendations cover various topics - from how grandparents show the familial bond, to sharing memories, and loss.
Regardless of the topic, there is something for everyone in this collection - even grandparents themselves will enjoy many of these reads!
1. Saturdays Are for Stella by Candy Wellins
This is a bittersweet picture book with friendly illustrations. It tells of the special action-packed story of George and his grandma, Stella. Until he loses her and must cope with grief.
Learn more: Amazon
2. When Grandpa Gives You A Toolbox by Jamie L.B. Deenihan
An adorable book that teaches that things may not look as they seem. The little boy wanted a dollhouse, but instead, his grandpa gave him a toolbox. With some patience and help from grandpa, he learns that he can build things he wants!
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3. Our Favorite Day by Joowon Oh
This beautiful book tells the story of the bond between Papa and his granddaughter through bright watercolor illustrations. It tells of Papa's routines and we soon learn about a very special day, Thursday! This is when his granddaughter comes to have lunch and work on crafts!
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4. Newspaper Hats by Phil Cummings
The bonds of family run deep, even when grandpa can't remember. This book is about memory loss, the love for his granddaughter, and sharing memories he does remember, they learn he still remembers how to make paper hats.
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5. When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan
A sweet story with bold and beautiful illustrations, it tells about a gift not wanted. When the birthday girl receives a lemon tree over a gadget, she is upset. But she later finds that maybe this lemon tree is actually a pretty wonderful gift from grandma!
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6. Anna, Grandpa, and the Big Storm by Carla Stevens
A huge snowstorm hits New York City, but Anna is determined to make it to her spelling bee...and so is Grandpa! Will Anna make it in time? Follow their adventures through the storm to see!
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7. Grandpa's Top Threes by Wendy Meddour
This cute picture book has themes of loss, grief, and love. When Grandma passes away, Grandpa comes to live with Henry and his family, but he doesn't want to talk. Henry doesn't understand and is determined to talk to him, so he starts telling Grandpa about his "tops three" and Grandpa starts to share.
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8. Grandpa's Town by Takaaki Nomura
A bilingual book, Yuuta and his mom are worried about Grandpa being lonely after Grandma dies and want him to move and live with them. However, young Yuuta is in for a surprise, as he goes with grandpa to his local bath house.
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9. Grandad Mandela by Ambassador Zindzi Mandela and Zazi and Ziwelene Mandela
Zazi and Ziwelene ask their great grandfather a series of questions and soon learn that he was an amazing man with many accomplishments. Their grandfather is Nelson Mandela and in this book, you learn more about this wonderful and courageous man!
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10. Silly, Frilly, Grandma Tillie by Laurie Jacobs
In this adorable picture book, you will meet Sophie, Chloe, Grandma Tillie...and her many personalities! Tillie comes to babysit and the girls have a blast, as Grandma Tillie always has lots of fun and surprises!
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11. Grandpa's Wish List by Madison Lodi
An adorable board book that follows a grandpa badger and his grandchild. Grandpa wishes to make many memories with his grandchild and it goes through all of the lovely things he wishes for him!
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12. Grandma Forgets
A sweet story of a special bond between a grandma with dementia and her family. What should be a sad story is a happy one, of a family who helps support their grandma that forgets.
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13. Our Granny by Margaret Wild
This book looks at how Grandmas are different through kids' eyes! A sweet book about how we see our grans and how wonderful and special they are.
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14. I Really Want to See You, Grandma by Taro Gomi
A heartwarming story of how a grandparent and child want to see one another. They both set out on a journey to do so, but at the same time miss each other! Will they reunite?
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15. Grandpa Wishes by Julia Lobo
A colorful board book that has a grandma telling her grandchild all the wishes she has for her. A great book for little kids that tells them just how special they are to Gran!
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16. How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish
A funny and beautiful story about a grandkid giving advice on "how to babysit grandma". Engaging and silly, it tells about going to a sleepover at Gran's house and how to keep her entertained.
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17. Looking for Yesterday by Alison Jay
A fun book that tells about a boy who wants to relive a day. That is until Grandpa starts helping him with his science experiment and he shares memories. He soon realizes that maybe reliving a day isn't so important.
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18. The Blue Bunny Bubbit by Maggie Smith
A sweet-hearted story about a little girl who is going to be a big sister, but doesn't want to. Her Nonni, who had sewed a bubbit, when she was born comes to visit. And her Nonni wants to make a bubbit for the new baby together.
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19. Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo
Nana lives in New York City and her grandson comes to visit. He is scared of all the sounds, smells, and differences. However, Nana helps him to be braver and explore the city.
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20. Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa by Anna Dewdney
A popular book series from author Anna Dewdney. In this Llama Llama book, he is going to spend his first night away from home! At his sleepover at gram and grandpa's house, he has a wonderful time, until bedtime when he forgot his fuzzy!
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21. The Best Sweater by Lynne Garner
Little mouse has a birthday and gets a sweater made by grandma and it's his favorite gift! However, over time, gram realizes that the sweater is getting too small and she needs to make another one. She decides to turn his old one into a stuffed rabbit.
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22. Baking Day at Grandma's by Anika Aldamuy Denise
An adorable rhyming book that includes a recipe! Three little bears go to visit grandma for a day of baking and fun winter activities, like drinking cocoa!
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23. Ivy by Katherine Coville
Grandma lives in Broomsweep - a super tidy town and wants to win the cleanest town. But grandma is not worried about that, as she has too much to do to heal the animals and magical creatures of the forest. Ivy steps in to help her tidy up and is in for a fun adventure!
Learn more: Amazon
24. Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
Are you scared of storms? Well, grandma has the cure! Before a storm approaches she tells her grandchild that it is time to bake a "thunder cake" and they must gather all the ingredients. By making the cake, she teachers her to no longer be scared of storms.
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25. Grandma by Jessica Shepherd
Grandma needs to go live in a home. She has dementia and needs support, while it is hard for Oscar, her grandchild, he knows it's the best and even though she acts a little different, he knows she is still the best grandma!
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26. Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
A creative book told through the eyes of a great-grandson. His grandpa was so many things and we learn about this as we go through his garden. We learn about his life experiences and memories from the past.
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27. The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros
A story about James and his grampa who is "losing his balloons". You see, grandpa has Alzheimer's and begins to lose important memories. James decides it's ok because he still has lots of balloons and can share them.
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28. The Frank Show by David Mackintosh
A favorite story to read, it tells of a young boy who must bring in someone for a show and tell. No one wants to do it, but his grandpa Frank who he knows little about and thinks is not a good choice. However, he soon finds out that Frank was once a young and adventurous man with many stories to tell!
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29. Hidden Grandma by Susan Riehle
A fun interactive read! Grandma lives very far from her grandchildren and misses them dearly. But this clever grandma has a trick up her sleeve. Have kids help find grandma throughout their home!
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30. Grandma, Grandpa, and Me by Mercer Mayer
A book about the grandparents of Little Critter and entering a pie in the county fair. A classic book, many of us grew up with, the Critter family always has a good time and shows the bond of family.
Learn more: Amazon
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