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 kindess they don’t hold back on the important subject of books!
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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 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.
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We provide benevolent relief to people and communities suffering from poverty, disadvantage and distress by facilitating age-appropriate community service activities for children, families and other interested parties.
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