This section of the website will provide an annotated list of storybooks that focus on intergenerational relationships. Our staff is busy locating books, reading them, and bringing the best ones to you here.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A RESOURCE?
Whether you are a grandparent looking for something to read to your grandchild about memory or illness, a teacher looking for a book to share with your students regarding issues affecting older adults in our communities, or a librarian or community worker wanting to preface intergenerational work with your youth group, check out our list.
DO YOU HAVE A RESOURCE TO SHARE?
If you have a book that you would like to see listed, please contact us at i2i(at)intergenerational.ca
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Subject: “Reading List”. Include the Title, Author, Illustrator, number of pages, language (Fr., Eng, etc.), ISBN, and a brief (4-5 line) annotation about the text of the story.
LOOKING FOR IDEAS FOR SHARED READING?
- During the Meadows School Intergenerational Immersion Project in Coldstream, BC, the Retirement Community Activities Director secured donations from a book publisher, several simplified novels of “the classics”, stories she knew the elder residents would remember from their early lives. The participants in the intergenerational activity matched reading levels, and story preferences, and students re-read the novels to the seniors. In some cases the older adults and the children shared the reading.
- Between reading sessions, the books can be left with the older adults, and in their free time they may take the book and read favourite sections over, stirring memories of original contact with the book. It is important to keep track of the book, as everyone will be disappointed if it gets lost in the laundry, or down behind a couch pillow!
- Elder buddies often love to hear the stories the children have written, and sometimes will still have copies of the stories they wrote in the past. It is a great source of pleasure for children and youth to have a captive audience that sits still while they read their work.
- Reading from old autograph books is a wonderful source of sharing between generations. Short, simple verses strike a chord of remembrance for older participants, and younger imaginations are captured by the simple rhymes and often humourous annecdotes.
- Frequently the print in the local paper is difficult for an older person to read. Young eyes can be of great help, reading short pieces of news. Most newspapers are written at a grade four or five reading level to ensure that the news is accessible to most of the populous. The younger reader has an opportunity to discuss the issue with the older adult after they have read and listened to the information.
AND, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN IG STORYBOOK TO READ, CHECK THIS OUT!
We will make every attempt to keep this list up-dated on this page of the website. Watch for new titles.
THE LIST STARTS HERE
May we recommend checking out our Meadows School Intergenerational Literacy Project™ fiction series, created by senior adults, children and youth! Look at our recently launched ’10 Book Box Set’ on this site “How to Participate”.
Grandpa’s Teeth by Rod Clement
ISBN 0-06-443557-1 English
Grandpa’s teeth are stolen off of his bedside table. Who could the thief be? Everyone in town is suspected in the ensuing police investigation. The result is that the entire town is smiling all the time and scaring the tourists away. Can the criminal be caught before the town falls apart?
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, Illustrations by Barbara Cooney
ISBN 0-14-050539-3 English
When Alice was a little girl she dreamed of traveling the world and then living by the sea-just as her grandfather had done. Her grandfather tells her she must accomplish one other thing: do something to make the world more beautiful. This tale follows Alice as she becomes Miss Rumphius, circles the globe, settles down by the sea, and finally strives to heed her grandfather’s advice and do something to make the world more beautiful.
Now One Foot, Now the Other by Tomie de Paola, Illustrations by Tomie de Paola
ISBN-13: 9780399207747 English
Bobby’s grandfather has taught Bobby how to take his first steps and speak his first words. After his grandfather suffers a stroke, Bobby helps his grandfather get back on his feet by teaching him the lessons that were once taught to him.
Children learn that they are empowered to be caregivers to elders and that this is an expression of love.
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, Illustrations Julie Vivas
ISBN 0-916291-04-9 English
Wilfrid is a small boy who lives next to a senior care home, where he has made friends with each of the unique individuals. He overhears his parents say that his best friend at the care home has lost her memory. This 30 page picture book tells the story of his quest to find out what memory is, and bring Miss Nancy’s back to her.
Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman, Illustrations by Phoebe Gilman
ISBN 0-590-74557-3 English
“When Joseph was a baby, his grandfather made him a wonderful blanket.” As the years pass, the blanket becomes shabby, but grandfather manages to salvage enough of it to make a jacket. Over the years, the original blanket material is refashioned by Joseph’s grandfather into new articles of clothing until finally, there is nothing left of it. Not even grandpa can make something from nothing. But Joseph has an idea…
Where the River Begins by Thomas Locker, Illustrations by Thomas Locker
ISBN 0-14-054595-6 English
Aaron and Josh live with their family in a house that overlooks a river running into the sea. They wonder where the river begins. When their grandfather takes them on a camping trip up the river to its source, the boys experience the changing topography and weather conditions firsthand.
Waiting for the Whales by Sheryl McFarlane, Illustrations by Ron Lightburn
ISBN 0-920501-96-6 English
An elderly man lives alone on the west coast with only the annual return of the orcas to keep him company. One day his daughter returns with a baby girl. The grandfather teaches the girl to love to same things he loves: gardening, walking through the woods and appreciating the surroundings. When grandfather passes away, the granddaughter continues to garden and awaits the return the whales.
The House on Maple Street by Bonnie Pryor, Illustrations by Beth Peck
ISBN 0-688-12031-8 English
Chrissy and Jenny live with their family in a house on Maple Street. The discovery of a broken tea cup and arrowhead in their yard uncovers a three hundred year old story of the ground beneath their feet.
The Waterfall’s Gift by Joanne Ryder, Illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson
ISBN 1-57805-113-4 English
A young girl returns to the small cabin that her grandfather built in the northern forest. Although her grandfather has passed away, she rediscovers their old, familiar spots. This is a magical tale that brings the surrounding forest and cherished memories alive.
When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant, Illustrations by Diane Goode
ISBN 0-525-44198-0 English
A young girls recounts the special times shared living in the mountains with her grandparents, learning to draw water from the well and care for the chickens, while still finding time to enjoy the local swim hole and sip on a cup of hot cocoa. This story instills a sense of warmth and comfort that can only be felt within the grandparents’ home.
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, Illustrations by David Small
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-36749-7 English
After her father loses his job, Lydia Grace must move to the city to live and work with her uncle. She takes with her a few belongings, some seeds that her grandmother gave her and a huge passion for gardening. Can she make Uncle Jim smile as she makes over his bakery and home with flowers nurtured by her love for life?
Claire’s Gift by Maxine Trottier, Illustrations by Rajka Kupesic
ISBN 0-439-98860-8 English
Little Claire comes to stay at her great-aunt “Tante Marie’s” in Che’ticamp for the summer. While she is too shy to talk to anyone in town at first, she finds comfort in the art of rug hooking that Tante Marie teaches her. Over the summer, Claire creates a very special hook rug that depicts the warmth of Tante Marie’s heart and home.
Women Pioneers of the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii by Catherine Nelson
Five stories of remarkable women on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii in the 1920’s and 30’s. Each story is short (35 or 36 pages, large print); illustrated with photographs and maps; poses questions for discussion; and celebrates one adventure in the lives of these women. Perfect for intermediate Social Studies, or for grandparents to read to their grandchildren sharing personal experiences similar to those in the stories.