AT THE BOOKSTORE

"Banjo Granny" by Sarah Martin Busse & Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Barry Root, Houghton Mifflin, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 3 and older.

Read yourself: age 7 and 8.

Granny wants to see her new grandson Owen more than anything in the world, and she's determined that nothing will stop her. "...She packed her banjo in its trusty old case with the taped-up handle. She put on her thousand-mile shoes. And she started out to cross one river, one mountain, and a desert."

A beautiful love song celebrating grandmothers and grandchildren, this lovely story, complemented with its warm illustrations, is delightful.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Slater Library, 26 Main St., Jewett City

Library Director: Meg Vantine

Children's Librarian: Ann Grzelak

Choices this week: "The Three Questions" (Based on a Story by Leo Tolstoy) by Jon J. Muth; "Three Pebbles and a Song" by Eileen Spinelli; "The Man of the House on Huffington Row" by Mary Brigid Barrett

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"Following Grandfather" by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Christopher Denise, Candlewick, 2012, 58 pages, $14.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 and older.

Read yourself: age 7, 8 and older.

Ever since Jenny was very little, Grandfather has always been there to teach her gentle lessons about life. Together they explore the beach and Grandfather teaches Jenny the names of beautiful shells. They shop together, share stories, and Grandfather teaches Jenny not to be afraid of the world.

One day, Grandfather suddenly dies, and Jenny feels lost without him. But Jenny still senses Grandfather's presence, and eventually, Jenny comes to understand how she can always find Grandfather - in her heart and in the shells he so treasured.

"My New Granny" by Elisabeth Steinkellner, illustrated by Michael Roher, Sky Pony Press, 2012, 28 pages, $16.95 hardcover

Read aloud: age 4 and older.

Read yourself: age 7 and 8.

When Fini's granny isn't traveling the world, the two spend lots of time together. But when Granny goes to the hospital, she isn't the old Granny Fini knew after Granny is discharged. Granny isn't able to do many of the things she once could, and she acts differently. Then Granny packs her suitcases for the last time and moves in with Fini and her parents so they can take care of her.

As Fini struggles to adapt to Granny's changes, she comes to understand that she can help care for Granny in special ways and that she loves her new Granny as much as the old one.

A wonderful story that sensitively addresses a child coping with a grandparent with dementia, this clever, upbeat story is lovely.

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