Tales of a Gambling Grandma [Paperback]

Dayal Kaur Khalsa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 1994 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

The grandma of this story is different. Not many grandmas teach their granddaughters how to play poker, or take train rides across the country, bathing in fresh orange juice. But this grandma is also not so different. Together grandma and granddaughter go to the movies, drink tea at a Chinese food restaurant, and see a vaudeville show that stars a beer-drinking hippo. Everyday they have lunch together, and grandma tells the story of her life. This is an off-beat, heartwarming tale narrated by a little girl whose grandmother is her best friend.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's hard to know just what to make of this Grandmashe must be the least conventional grandparent in all of children's books. Her granddaughter narrates the tale of how Grandma left Russia and came to Brooklyn, where she married a man who was Dutch Schultz's plumber. That didn't bring in enough money, so Grandma took up poker. "She was very goodsharp-eyed and quick with her hand. She could mark a card with her fingernail, and hide aces in her sleeve." There's no mention, of course, that in some circles this is called cheating, and strangely, the reader doesn't mind too much. Khalsa's paintings are splendidprimitive folk art meets Coney Island. The childlike point-of-view is right on the mark (or the money; Grandma never loses a game). Subject matter aside, this is a wonderfully odd book. Perhaps parents who read this will find a way to modify Grandma's dubious dealings.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 Khalsa has written in an honest, matter-of-fact style a loving childhood reminiscence of her grandmother, a Russian immigrant who settled in Brooklyn and a fun-loving companion whose stories of her life's events are as entertaining as they are fantastic. The author's grandmother spouts "Laws of Life" ("Don't worry. Sooner or later for every pot there's a lid."), teaches her granddaughter to play poker and blackjack, and makes being sick in bed an adventure, just as she gives a special glow of excitement to everything she does. The story is enlivened by many large, brightly-colored paintings whose crisp white borders highlight eye-catching details and add depth to the personalities of both grandmother and grandchild. This bittersweet recollection of the love and trust shared by grandmother and child provides a poignant tale for both children and adults. Susan Scheps, Bertram Woods Library, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tundra Books (October 4, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887763359
• ISBN-13: 978-0887763359
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,063,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely poignant for a children's book, July 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Tales of a Gambling Grandma (Paperback)

I picked up the book in the library and began reading for the strange title... By the end I was just in tears at the wonderful story and reminded me of my grandma and my relationship with her. Great story that is entertaining for both adults and children, and hopefully will encourage children to cherish their time with their grandma.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Another Rom stereotype, December 28, 1999

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Tales of a Gambling Grandma (Paperback)

One illustration in this otherwise innocent tale clearly depicts Gypsies as "wood people" who, the text says, will "take" children if they wander into the forest. It is unfortunate to see such blatant stereotyping --- in an age when the Romany (Gypsy) population of Eastern Europe is the target of more hate crime than at any time since the Holocaust. It's too bad that so many children's authors remain completely insensitive to the slavery and poverty suffered by the Rom. Discerning readers can help by avoiding books that include any kind of sterotyping.

---Alyssa A. Lappen

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandma didn't let any grass grow under her toes, November 7, 2000

By 

Barbara Grosh (Pittsford, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales of a Gambling Grandma (Paperback)

This is a very sweet reminiscence of the author's immigrant grandma, who embraced life fully. She played poker with Dutch Schultz's gang while her plumber husband fixed their toilets. While she cared for the author as a child she passed along the wisdom she'd accumulated. Advice like "Never, ever go into the woods alone because the gypsies will get you or, should you escape that cruel fate, you'll fall down a hole." Or, "Just in case the Cossacks come to Queens, learn to say 'Da' and always keep plenty of borscht in the refrigerator." As a senior citizen she took the train from New York to California, where she could always find a poker game. When the author was old enough, she taught her to play poker as well. The author's illustrations of the way she imagined her grandmother's stories are a delight. Loving respect informs every page. The author was lucky to have such a grandma, and we are lucky to share her story.