Happy National Grandparents Day, this year on Sunday, September 10! Grandparents have long been the backbone of families and entire communities, so it’s fitting that they’re given pride of place in these three picture books. Find more related books and articles from Hbook.com here and at the Guide/Reviews Database: Subject: Families--Grandparents.

Camacho-Church, Adriana  Grandma, Where Will Your Love Go? / Abuela, ¿adónde irá tu amor? 

32 pp. | Piñata | October, 2023 | Trade ISBN 978-1-55885-984-5 $18.95 

Illustrated by Gastón Hauviller. A young Latina girl and her grandmother connect over the homely pleasures of baking bread, sewing, and making trips to the outdoor market, although the old woman is showing signs of ailing. She gently prepares her granddaughter for her impending death by reassuring her of the indissolubility of their relationship — the places they visit, activities they enjoy together, and the natural world that connects them to something beyond themselves will all remind the girl of her grandmother’s tender, fortifying love long after the day she breathes her last. The book addresses the subjects of aging and illness in an age-appropriate manner. Both Hauviller’s textured illustrations and Camacho-Church’s bilingual English/Spanish text are imbued with the warmth of treasured memories of their own grandmothers. 

Hassani, Mojdeh & Iravani, Samira  Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar 

40 pp. | Dial | February, 2023 | Trade ISBN 978-0-593-11061-4 $18.99 

Illustrated by Maya Fidawi. Samira, a young Iranian girl, is accompanying her grandmother, Mama Shamsi, to the outdoor market for the first time. As they walk through the streets of Tehran, Samira playfully proposes various ways that she can hide under Mama Shamsi’s chador so that she won’t get lost at the big, crowded, noisy market. Each time she does so, the long, black, cape-like garment takes on the shape of a different animal, to her grandmother’s mock dismay. The joshing gives way to an empowering conclusion, as Mama Shamsi affirms Samira’s ability to confidently explore and navigate the world around her. The book reflects the authors’ own childhood experience of the often-disparaged chador as a source of safety and comfort. Digital illustrations chock-full of interesting, culturally authentic details wrap this story up nicely. 

LaRocca, Rajani  Masala Chai, Fast and Slow 

40 pp. | Candlewick | September, 2023 | Trade ISBN 978-1-5362-1940-1 $17.99 

Illustrated by Neha Rawat. Aarav, a young South Asian boy, is zippy and bursting with energy while his thatha (grandfather) is calm, patient, and prone to taking his time. Despite being polar opposites, the two enjoy a close bond cemented by Aarav’s love of the stories and masala chai that his grandfather expertly concocts. When Thatha is immobilized by a minor injury, Aarav longs to comfort him with masala tea, but his attempts to brew it are repeatedly hampered by his hastiness. Only when Aarav finally heeds Thatha’s expostulations, does he come to appreciate that slowing down just might be the recipe for caring for those we hold dear. The text pairs well with Rawat’s straightforward, heartwarming digital illustrations. An author's note connects the story to cherished traditions in LaRocca’s family, and a recipe for masala chai is appended.