Grandpa for Sale [Hardcover]

Dotti Enderle (Author), Vicki Sansum (Author), T. Kyle Gentry (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

Writers' League of Texas Teddy Children's Book Award 2007 winner, short works

2008 Storytelling World Resource Award winner

As her Grandpa naps on the sofa, Lizzie minds the family antique store. When the extravagantly rich Mrs. Bradley Larchmont III enters the shop and begins a buying spree, she refuses to leave without bargaining for an unexpected item . . . Lizzie’s Grandpa! As the stakes rise, Lizzie imagines all of the fabulous things she could buy with the money she is offered. But what fun would a sailboat, an ice cream parlor, or an amusement park be without Grandpa? Readers will enjoy the clever play between gray tones and vivid color that illustrates Lizzie’s growing conflict. This farcical storyline, coupled with vibrant paintings, ultimately stresses the importance of family and friendship over material possessions and selfish, money-driven desires.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Winner of the 2008 North Texas Book Festival Book Award in the children's book (fiction) category

"[An] amusing story to warm any grandparent's heart." —Children's Literature

"This charming, simple story pits love of things against love of people, with hopeful results for young readers. The wonderfully detailed illustrations by T. Kyle Gentry add to the repeat pleasures of the book."  —MyShelf.com

"This clever book shows young readers that there are some things in life that are priceless."  —Through the Looking Glass Review.com

"A fun and imaginative story. The illustrations by T. Kyle Gentry are bright and blend seamlessly with the story. This is definitely a must-have for those rainy spring days."  —Fandangle Magazine.com

"[The] humorous and highly detailed . . . illustrations expand upon the clever, sprightly text."  —Illinois Bureau County Republican

"My girls have asked for me to read it every day this past week and I do so gladly."  —APicturePerfectEducation

"[The authors] easily buy their way into your heart with this clever story which is wonderfully illustrated."  —Greensheet Education Foundation, announcing Grandpa for Sale as their Book of the Month (July 2007)

About the Author

Dotti Enderle is the author of 15 children's books, including the Fortune Tellers Club series and The Cotton Candy Catastrophe at the Texas State Fair, a Texas Golden Spur Award nominee. Vicki Sansum works in advertising. They both live in Houston, Texas. T. Kyle Gentry is an illustrator who has worked for the medical, gift card, and toy industries. He lives in Orlando, Florida.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Flashlight Press (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097292258X
• ISBN-13: 978-0972922586
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 10.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will definitely become a classic, beloved by young and old!, July 20, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Grandpa for Sale (Hardcover)

One of my greatest joys in life is reading children's books (I enjoy writing them, too.) THAT said, let me tell you what I like about this wonderful book and its unusual, aesthetic illustrations.

First of all, I'm always on the lookout for an original idea, and what could be more unique than a child tempted by "big bucks" to sell her beloved Grandpa? Very clever of Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum to create this charming, fascinating concept.

Second: I'm captivated by the eye-pleasing color illustrations complementing the black-and-white background. Illustrator T. Kyle Gentry has a rare talent. I've seen that concept before but not too often. The first time I saw color on b&w was at a 1980s San Jose art show when artist Lee Hartman painted a handsome young man in b&w, the only color being his blue eyes. That piece of fine art was captivating, but I couldn't afford the large oil at the time, so I bought a small, limited-edition print instead. It's lovely.

But I digress! Sorry about that!

I also looooooooved this book because the characters are so real. Who wouldn't fall in love with young Lizzie and her Grandpa? The way these two authors described them was perfection. Wonderful, heart-warming characters that I'll remember all my life.

I even liked the elderly woman who was trying to buy Grandpa. Perhaps I should seek my next mate at a garage sale? Who would think of that? :)

Perhaps most important, this book is educational, teaching strong morals to children ... and we adults could learn something from young Lizzie too.

GRANDPA FOR SALE will definitely become a classic, beloved by young and old alike.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The exuberant color illustrations perfectly complement this extravagant tale with a heartwarming moral., June 10, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Grandpa for Sale (Hardcover)

Co-authored by Vicki Sansum and Golden Spur Award nominee Dotti Enderle, Grandpa for Sale is a charming children's picturebook about qualities worth far more than money. When young Lizzie minds the family antique store, an imperious older woman named Mrs. Larchmont demands to buy the one antique not on sale - Lizzie's slumbering grandpa! As the women offers more and more money - five hundred, five thousand, ten thousand dollars - Lizzie dreams of all the wonderful and fun things the money could buy, but also remembers how valueless those things would be without Grandpa to share them. "Lizzie took a deep breath and leaned in. 'Mrs. Larchmont,' she announced, 'not everyone has a price and not everything is for sale.'" The exuberant color illustrations perfectly complement this extravagant tale with a heartwarming moral.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not everything is for sale!, April 19, 2007

By 

Melissa Markham (Huddleston, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grandpa for Sale (Hardcover)

Grandpa for Sale is an excellent book. It is written by Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum and illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry.

I am not sure which I like better in this book, the amazing illustrations or the original and thought provoking story. Gentry captures the essence of this story with his combination of black and white and color illustrations. There is color on every page which emphasizes the important parts of the story.

The story itself reminds me of when I was a child and how I would think "if I had a million dollars I would..." Lizzie, the main character, has the opportunity to fulfill her childhood fantasies but decides that they are not equal to the value of one beloved grandfather! A delightful story that my children thoroughly enjoyed (ages 10 and 7) and we will read again and again!