Check out our commonkind list of favourite books to read with your primary school-aged child about the value of intergenerational friendships. All books are ruthlessly reviewed by our panel of real child judges! Although they are still learning kindness they don’t hold back on the important subject of books!
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THE WOBBLY BIKE
by Darren McCallum & Craig Smith (AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR)
Why we like it
This heart-warming Australian story follows Lucy, a child learning to ride a bike, capturing the fear, frustration and resilience that come with trying something new. Craig Smith’s playful illustrations highlight the ups and downs of perseverance within a gorgeous, clearly Australian landscape. This book is a celebration of resilience, determination and the courage to keep trying as well as the value that grandparents can provide (not least in providing encouragement and support) to those still lucky enough to have them.
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From the Publisher
The wonderful wobbles of learning to ride a bike, set amidst the vibrant colour and culture of Australia’s “top end”.
How do you fix a wobbly bike? Could it be the tyres, the terrain, or maybe it might be a new rider? A joyful, multi-layered story, celebrating the unique culture of Australia’s urban “top end”, the precious roles of grandparents in families, the fact that kindness and encouragement, combined with practice, are the key to success, bound together with gentle humour… because laughter is always the best medicine.
A sparkling debut from Darwin author, with illustrations by award-winning Craig Smith, with a plethora of themes: humour, perseverance, learning, practice, diversity, inclusion, family generations
THIMBLE
by Rebecca Young & Tull Suwannakit (AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR)
Why we like it
A beautiful story dealing with the loss of a grandparent as told from the perspective of a young girl named Mabel. The book touches on the practical realities and emotional impact on this loss for the family. Although the topic may seem depressing, the text and illustrations exude warmth and love and pay homage to the loving relationship Mabel and her family had with her grandmother.
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From the Publisher
When her grandmother’s time comes, Mabel finds something left behind. A beautiful story about how a tiny thimble and an unfinished blanket can help mend a heart.
DEAR GRANDPA
by Kate Simpson & Ronojoy Ghosh (AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR)
Why we like it
A lovely book showing the strength of connection despite distance. Henry and his grandpa keep in touch through letters with Henry sharing fun facts that children will enjoy. He regularly mentions obstacles in their path of seeing each other again but no matter the hurdle, Grandpa commits to overcoming it.
Australian children will have fun examining the detailed pictures and seeing images of Australia such as street signs and iconic landmarks like the Harbour Bridge. We need to write to the author to work out where Henry’s Grandpa lives! We won’t reveal our guess but we think this family’s love trumps any State of Origin rivalries 😉 A lovely gift for a grandparent or grandchild – particularly those that don’t live in the same city.
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From the Publisher
Perfect for Father’s Day, especially for those families who are separated by distance, Dear Grandpa celebrates the bond between grandpa and grandson.
Henry lives 2,003 kilometres from his grandpa – that’s longer than all the world’s blue whales placed end to end and as uncatchable as a goodnight kiss on a shooting star. But Grandpa knows that even from a long distance, love can be closer than you think.
THE HIDDEN HAT
by Phil Cummings & Jennifer Goldsmith (AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR)
Why we like it
This deeply touching picture book follows siblings Mitch and Lucy as they play hide-and-seek at their grandparents’ house. Hidden in a dark corner, they discover Grandpa’s old hat – and through its folds, secrets from his time serving in Vietnam emerge. Jennifer Goldsmith’s beautifully detailed watercolour illustrations weave together scenes from the past and present, creating a visual dialogue between family, memory and history. This story brings history and connection into the heart of family life. It provides a compassionate way to open conversations about ageing, memory, service and the meaning behind everyday objects. This is a book that invites intergenerational storytelling, offering a gentle pathway for children and adults to share, reflect and remember together.
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From the Publisher
While playing hide-and-seek at Grandpa’s house, Lucy and Mitch find a hat, hidden away in a deep, dark corner. It’s Grandpa’s hat, filled with memories… In this moving story of rediscovery, truth and mateship, a hidden hat stirs memories of a grandfather’s days serving in Vietnam…
THE GARDEN WE SHARE
by Zoe Tucker & Julianna Swaney
Why we like it
A young girl is seen to be working on a communcal garden with older community members. They relish working together and seeing the garden thrive and in turn using the produce in cooking together and sharing the harvest. This book shows both generations working in harmony and each with their own contribution to make. The illustrations subtly show one of the older member’s health declining and uses the seasons as a gentle metaphor for life and death. A beautiful book celebrating intergenerational friendships and the formative impact of these relationships. Families preparing for or dealing with a loss of a loved one may also find this book helpful.
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From the Publisher
To everything there is a season in this beautiful story about gardening, seasons, and treasured memories.
This inspiring picture book written by Zoë Tucker and illustrated by Julianna Swaney―the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of We Are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines―celebrates the friendship between a young girl and an elderly woman as they plant seeds in a community garden alongside friends and neighbors, waiting for the seeds to flower. By mid-summer, the friends welcome a rainbow of color in the garden and picnics in the sun. At harvest, the young girl’s elderly friend is bed-ridden, but jubilant as they share baskets with red tomatoes and snap peas amid the sweet smell of lavender. When the last leaves fall, everything is different. But in the spring, hope arises anew.
