Grandma Calls Me Beautiful [Hardcover]

Barbara M. Joosse (Author), Barbara Lavallee (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

A companion to the best-selling Mama, Do You Love Me? and Papa, Do You Love Me?, this beautiful book captures the unique bond that exists between grandmother and grandchild. Set in Hawaii, the vibrant watercolor illustrations and lyrical text combine to capture the lush landscapes and unique traditions of Hawaiian culture, while at the same time conveying a universal message. Sure to be another instant classic.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Following the successful format of Mama, Do You Love Me? (1991) and Papa, Do You Love Me? (2005, both Chronicle), Joose and Lavallee once again blend universal family love with details of a specific culture. This time, a Hawaiian grandmother tells her granddaughter how beautiful and beloved she is. Lyrical text captures the lush landscapes and unique traditions of the island setting. Vibrant, stylized watercolor illustrations provide details and warmth. Traditional words like Tutu (grandma) and modern terms like talk-story (an informal conversation) are defined in clear terms. Illustrated instructions on how to make a sea turtle from string follow the glossary. This book will be a popular read-aloud or read-alone. A sweet story and lovely art.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK
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From Booklist

The author and illustrator of Mama, Do You Love Me? (1991) and Papa, Do You Love Me? (2005) celebrates another family relationship, here between a Hawaiian grandmother and granddaughter. The young girl asks Grandma to share “our story,” and gathering her story string, Grandma weaves the tale of the new baby “bright as a kukui torch” and skin “soft as kappa cloth,” whom Grandma names Beautiful. Their playful, tender dialogue continues; Grandma reassures Beautiful that whether she is big or small, “wiggly” or slightly naughty, she’ll always be loved. Descriptive, intimate, often poetic prose incorporates Hawaiian language and cultural elements. The luminous watercolor illustrations, in vivid island colors and patterns, feature cozy family scenes that gracefully integrate Hawaiian textiles and wildlife. Closing material features an annotated glossary that includes pronunciation and additional information on traditions and an illustrated activity for a “hei” (string design). This lovely, eloquent offering conveys both a unique culture and timeless sentiments. Preschool-Grade 2. --Shelle Rosenfeld

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811858154
• ISBN-13: 978-0811858151
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Joosse is the author of the ever-popular Mama, Do You Love Me?, along with many other books for young readers. She lives in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming Books Showing the Special Love Between a Grandmother and her Granddaughter, May 23, 2008

By 

The Well-Read Child "http://wellreadchild.blo... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandma Calls Me Beautiful (Hardcover)

The Joosse/Lavallee team are back with their latest installment of what Barbara Joosse calls her "Great Big Family," series. I became a huge fan of this series right after my daughter was born when I saw Mama, Do You Love Me? and Papa, Do You Love Me? in our local bookstore. I scarfed up a copy of each, and they've become a staple in our story time routine since.

Mama, Do You Love Me? explores the undying and unconditional love an Inuit mother has for her child, and Papa, Do You Love Me? examines the same type of unconditional love a Maasai father has for his son. While the books depict parents and children of different cultures, they hold the common theme of loving your child no matter what--a theme that I suspect most parents identify with, and most children take great comfort in hearing.

Grandma Calls Me Beautiful also explores this theme, this time focusing on the love a Hawaiian grandmother, Tutu, feels for her granddaughter whom she calls Beautiful. The story begins with Tutu telling Beautiful a talk-story about Beautiful's birth. As explained in the book's glossary, a talk-story is an informal conversation, sometimes illustrated with a song, a hei (or string design), or a dance. In this case, Tutu uses a hei, a piece of string which she twists into a design to tell her story. The back of the book also contains instructions on how to make a honu (turtle) hei.

Through Tutu's story of Beautiful's birth, readers learn about Hawaiian traditions, including the custom of "sharing breath," the pressing of foreheads together and touching noses to signify love and affection. When Tutu finishes her story, Beautiful questions her beauty and elicits affirmation from her grandmother that she still is beautiful, similar to the style of questions and and answers the children ask their parents in Mama, Do You Love Me? and Papa, Do You Love Me?

Barbara Lavallee's vivid watercolor illustrations in tropical tones depict the tender moments between Tutu and Beautiful and exude the warmth between them.

Not only does the book depict the undying love between a grandmother and her grandchild, but it teaches children about different cultures. More importantly, it also serves as a way to boost a child's self-esteem. To know that you're loved no matter what you do, or what you look like, even if you're a bit naughty at times is a wonderful and empowering feeling to have.

Any grandmother would be delighted to receive this book and read it to her own granddaughter, and any granddaughter would be delighted to sit on her grandmother's lap and listen to her read the book.

The entire collection would also make a beautiful gift for new and expectant parents, and I hope there will be a "grandpa" book in the future.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story to Share, April 18, 2010

By 

Book Reader (River Vale, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grandma Calls Me Beautiful (Hardcover)

I bought this because I love the author's book "Mama, Do You Love Me?" so much! I gave this as a gift to a new Grandma and she not only appreciated it but loved the story, too. She looks forward to reading the story with her new little one and creating their own story together. The illustrations are beautiful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfied Grandma, November 21, 2009

By 

Graciela G. Schweiger ""Ita Grace"" (Waverly, NY) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grandma Calls Me Beautiful (Hardcover)

It was as good as expected. Can't wait to give it and share it with my granddaughter.