Author: Jon Chambers

Celebrating Grand-families
@ Your Library!
June 1st

Suggested Activities for Celebrating “Reading is Grand!” @ Your Library

Partner with area senior homes/social centers and schools and plan a book buddy program.
Host a bring your grandparent to the library day for a day of book-based activities.
Encourage families to participate in a story swap in which family members take turns telling stories about memorable events from their childhood. Encourage the younger family members to write and
illustrate the stories.

Host a family genealogy program.
Encourage participating families to make family trees.
Celebrate the day by highlighting and displaying books that honor
grandparents and extended families.

In Daddy’s Arms I AM TALL: African Americans Celebrating Fathers-Javaka Steptoe– ISBN:1880000318. This collection of poetry edited and illustrated by award winner Javaka Steptoe celebrates the role of fathers in African American Families.
My Nana and Me-Irene Smalls-ISBN: 0316168211. A young girls tells about a
special day spent with her grandmother.
My Pop Pop and Me-Irene Smalls-ISBN: 0316734225. A young boy and his grandfather bake and share their love of lemon cake.
No Mirrors In My Nana’s House-Ysaye M. Barnwell– ISBN: 0316734225. A young girl sees the beauty of the world reflected in her nana’s eyes.
On the Day I Was Born-Debbi Chocolate-ISBN: 9780590476096. An African American family celebrates the birth of a child.
The Patchwork Quilt-Valerie Flournoy- ISBN: 0803700970. A young girl and her mother complete a quilt started by her grandmother.
When I am Old with You-Angela Johnson- ISBN: 0531058840. A small boy imagines all of the things he’ll get to do with his grandfather when he gets “old” like him.

A Family Affair -Marcus Major. ISBN: A 17 year old girl living with extended family in the South learns lessons about family, love and life. Teen/Adult
A Little Love-Virginia Hamiltion. ISBN: 9780399210464. A teenage girl, who has been raised by her grandparents, searches for her father. Teen
Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World-Mildred Pitts Walters. ISBN:9780688066451. Ten-year old Justin learns a lesson about gender roles when he spends time on his grandfather’s ranch.
Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters and Other Wiley Characters-Patricia Mckissack. ISBN: 9780375836190. A collection of humorous tales told to the author by her grandparents. All ages
The Thang that Ate my Granddaddy’s Dog-John Calvin Rainey. ISBN: 9781561641307. A young boy and his family move from New York to Florida to live with relatives and learn lessons about life, self respect and the importance of family. Adult/Teen
At the Elbows of My Elders: One Family’s Journey Toward Civil Rights-Gail Melissa Grant. ISBN: A memoir written by former U.S. foreign service officer Grant that details her family history , her experiences growing up and her pioneering grandmother who was the first African American Funeral home owner in Chicago. Adult/Teen

Traveling Memory Book
Craft Project
Supplies
6 X 9 inch manila envelopes
Ribbon or yarn
Plain white paper
Hole punch
Decorative wrapping paper, stickers, etc.
Pens
Markers, crayons or color pencils
Scissors
glue
Fold the manila envelope in half width wise, clasp side down.
Use wrapping paper, stickers or draw your own designs on the envelope.
Fold paper in half. Cut sheets of paper to fit neatly inside of the envelope.
Glue the paper inside of the folded envelope. Be sure not to glue paper over the metal clasp.
Punch a hole on either side of the book covers.
Secure with ribbon or yarn.