Grandfather's Wrinkles [Hardcover]

Kathryn England (Author), Richard McFarland (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Lucy and her grandfather are the focus of this poignant and warm story that teaches that wrinkles are badges of happiness rather than signs of age. Lucy asks Granddad, “Why doesn't your skin fit you? It’s all crinkly,” to which he replies, “Those crinkles are called wrinkles,” each of which he got when he smiled especially big. As Lucy traces Granddad’s joy-filled face, he describes his memories and shares the cause of each line—his wedding day, Lucy’s mother’s birth, precious moments from her childhood, and Lucy’s birth, among others. Beautiful drawings recreate each thoughtful memory, and the recollections showcase an intimate bond between the two generations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year 2008, with a star for Outstanding Merit

An Accelerated Reader title

"I love this one. . . . the illustrations are beautiful. It’s like Norman Rockwell stuff . . . an adorable book because it puts aging in the context of fabulous memories . . . so the question is: if it said 'Grandmother’s Wrinkles,' would I be as enthusiastic? Yes."  —Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Dr. Laura Live Radio Show

"In this heartwarming dialogue between Granddad and his granddaughter Lucy, the lost art of storytelling emerges as the vehicle whereby the elder recounts the happy events behind his every wrinkle."  —AcademicPlanet.com

"Children will be delighted to use Lucy's method to learn more about their own grandparents' memories."  —Georgia Family magazine

"Travel through decades of love and family memories with Lucy and her grandfather. With illustrations that resemble photographs, readers will stare at the shadowing and technique with amazement. Watch how fashion, automobiles and hairstyles change while the theme of life’s most poignant family memories resonates in the story."  —Atlanta Parent Magazine, which selected this book as one of their 50 Must-Read Books of 2007

 

“Stresses the importance of family and friendship over material possessions."  —Learning magazine

About the Author

Kathryn England is the author of Archie Cupid and Lizzie Imp, NewBjorn, Reborn, Saving Arthur, and many short stories. Richard McFarland is a painter and a printer. He lives in Huntley, Illinois.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Flashlight Press (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972922598
• ISBN-13: 978-0972922593
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 10.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,134,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is like a warm, wonderful hug! Heart-warming!, March 17, 2008

By 

Betty L. Dravis "BETTY DRAVIS, author/reviewer" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grandfather's Wrinkles (Hardcover)

Flashlight Press has some of the most original, read-aloud children's picture books on the market, books that teach family values while highlighting bonds between family members in such heart-warming fashion that both you and your children will continue smiling long after the books are closed.

Grandfather's Wrinkles by gifted author Kathryn England is about a loving relationship between a little girl named Lucy and her grandfather. Lucy gets more than she bargains for when she questions her grandfather about his "crinkles."

You and your young children will be as enchanted as Lucy when grandfather takes advantage of this opportunity to teach his beloved granddaughter some family history ... in a subtle, charming way, reminiscent of when storytelling was an art. After explaining that he got the wrinkles from laughing, he proceeds to tell her of the joyous events in the family ... from the time of his own wedding to grandmother all the way down to Lucy's birth.

As much as Lucy was captivated by these heart-warming stories, your children will be even more so because they have the added advantage of "viewing" these special events through cheerful, creative illustrations by talented artist Richard McFarland. His illustrations are so realistic they appear to be photographs, and he stays true to the various time periods with authentic details.

Even though Grandfather's Wrinkles is meant to be shared between grandparents and grandchildren, all family members will enjoy this book.

Reading this book made me feel as though I had been given a warm, wonderful hug. And when Devon is old enough for me to read it to him, I know I'll get more than one hug.

END-NOTE: I discovered FLASHLIGHT PRESS in 2004 when they first started publishing books for children, aged 4-8. I read some of the books to children at the local library, but just recently came across them again. I've read and reviewed several of their picture books, and my goal is to review as many of them as possible. Their editor seems to keep her finger on the pulse of what children enjoy reading/hearing.

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming read-aloud picturebook meant to be shared between grandparents and grandchildren., September 6, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandfather's Wrinkles (Hardcover)

Grandfather's Wrinkles is an enchanting children's picturebook about the bonds of family. When a little girl named Lucy asks her grandad where the wrinkles in his face came from, he tells her about the joyous events in his life that brought about each wrinkle. "Whenever I smiled an especially big smile, I got a wrinkle to show for it." From his wedding day, to the day Lucy's mother was born, to his daughter's wedding day, to the last two wrinkles - the very newest - that came when Lucy was born, Grandfather's Wrinkles is a trip through the wonderful and happy moments of life. A heartwarming read-aloud picturebook meant to be shared between grandparents and grandchildren.

5.0 out of 5 stars A (happy) tear-jerker, December 5, 2010

By 

abraman (Georgia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grandfather's Wrinkles (Hardcover)

My four year old has made some really funny comments to her grandmothers about their wrinkles. She told my poor mother that she would surely die the day after tomorrow, she was so wrinkled. (And she's really not!) The remarks provided never ending fodder for family jokes, so when I stumbled across this title and took a peak inside, I had to get the book. I gave it to my daughter on her birthday and told the grandparents as she was unwrapping it that it was a party game called "Who can read this without crying?" My Dad read it aloud and we adults all got weepy - the story is just so amazingly sweet. It reaffirms the beauty and preciousness of age. That's a wonderful thing in our youth idolizing culture.