Grandpa's Top Threes by Daniel Egneus, Wendy Meddour
Published by Candlewick Press on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1536211257
Pages: 32
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

A young boy's original game coaxes a grieving grandpa to reconnect with the world in a touching intergenerational story of love and resilience.
Henry loves talking with Grandpa, but Grandpa has stopped listening. Mom says to just give him time. But Henry wants to talk to Grandpa now. So Henry tries his favorite game: Top Threes. And something amazing happens: Grandpa starts talking again. Out of a tale of favorite sandwiches and zoo animals, outings and trains, emerges a moving story about love, loss, and the wonder of grannies and grandpas.

“Grandpas’ top Three” is a lovely, inter – generational picture book for ages 4 through 8. When Henrytries to get Grandpa to listen and to interact with him, he finds that Grandpa isn’t ready “just now”to talk.Henry, however,  wants to talk “now”  and does not understand why Grandpa is so reticent.When Henry decides to try his game of “Top Three”on Grandpa (for example – “What are your top three favorite sandwiches?” he then very slowly warms up to Henry’s persistence in playing the game .When Henry asks his Grandpa who his top three Grannies are, Grandpa doesn’t answer. We then surmise that perhaps Henry’s Granny has passed away.

Henry then states who his own top three Grannies are:

“Granny who is dead. Granny who loves on top of the shoe shop, and Granny in Little Red Riding Hood.”

It is then that Grandpa opens up a bit and begins to speak of Granny who has passed away. This in turn leads to the start of a loving relationship between Grandpa and his grandson.

A lovely sad and poignant tale about how through the persistence of a young boy, Grandpa slowly begins to comes to realize the importance.

A heartfelt loving story to be enjoyed by inter-generations of folks who wish to foster closer relationships.

 

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME