Grandparents Day: Two Perfect Picture Book Gifts

I feel blessed to have memories of three of my four grandparents from my childhood. The last of the three had died by the time I was in high school. My heart swells with joy for those who have had chance to share their lives with grandparents long into their own adulthood, a true bonus of the increased longevity trend for seniors/elders. There are certainly joys on the grandparent-side of this relationship, too, but the grandchild-adult has a privilege many of us will never know. 
Even so, any and every grandparent relationship resides in a special place in our lives. I'd be willing to bet my very small life savings that this has always been true, and always will be. Honoring those memories matters every day of our lives.
Sunday, September 8, is Grandparents Day. So, even though I'll admit that holidays like this one are often contrived commercial ventures, I will contribute to the sales-side of things by recommending two picture book titles that would be perfect gifts for grandparents on that day, or any time.

Penguin Random House, 2019

MY GRANDMA AND ME is written by Mina Javaherbin and illustrated by Lindsey Yankey.
While this is a very specific story and setting from actual childhood memories in Iran, the experiences and activities and resonance of emotion are universal. 
Note this line form the narrative:
"In this big universe full of many moons, I have traveled and seen many wonders, but I have never loved anything or anyone the way I love my grandma."
The opportunity to see special and unforgettable daily experiences unfold within this less familiar cultural context offers an invitation to recognize and appreciate our common humanity. It also reveals the similarity of childhood experiences on a global basis, embedding the beauty of the Iranian cultural images and practices within a story that feels like our own. 
I can easily see this being a gift to a grandma with the addition of a personal note inscribed about your own specific memories. Likely, many of your memories will mirror those noted in the pages of this book: quilts, cookies, playmates and prayers, to suggest only a few. 
As the quote above indicates, the text is lyrical and loving, the illustrations are delightfully detailed and subdued. And the story arc feels a bit like an extension of the book I featured in my previous post about the world-changing power of openhearted perspectives.

Candlewick, 2019

LOOKING FOR YESTERDAY is written and illustrated by Alison Jay. I love that this unique picture book opens (before the title page) with a quotation from Walt Whitman:
"Happiness...not in another place but this place, not for another hour but this hour."
What an ideal launch to this boy's earnest memory that "Yesterday was the best day." On each surreal double spread his memory of an amazing day spent with his grandfather leaves him long to go back in time, then calculating how he can make that happen. His evident knowledge of science integrating the speed of light with relative time and allows for some creative imagination about time travel and worm holes, humorously portrayed.When he turns to Granddad for advice, he offers the typical kid question: WHY? 
(Spolier alert- the ending is revealed next.) 
Together they examine Granddad's photo album, taking a virtual tour through his rich and rewarding past. He wisely advises that 
"Every day brings the chance of a new adventure. Why go looking for yesterday when you can be happy here...TODAY!"

In this case the trusting relationship between the two is also one that transcends their time, place, ethnicity, or specificity. Yes, they've shared memorable experiences, but the marvel of simply being together in the NOW merits appreciation and attention. On a side note, I was particularly pleased that in the revelation of memories, and the NOW, there was no evidence of handheld and other digital devices, allowing no role for those in making any day a "best day". 

Why give a picture book to a grandparent, especially if the "grandchild" is already a teen or even an adult? 
It saddens me to think you might ask that, but if the thought crossed your mind, please check one past post in particular. It shares an insight I gained when I gifted my own mom with a picture book many years ago (HERE).
And if your family's senior generation is dealing with disappearing memories, whether Alzheimers or for other reasons, please take a peek back at this post about WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING.
If you have other grandparent or multi-generational titles to suggest, please add them in the comments.