Joy

"I can’t remember who said this, but it’s something I heard and always have lived by: a good picture book empowers the child. In this book we do have the traditional fragile looking granny, by the fire with the blanket, and a little girl who just wants to make her feel better. We don’t know what’s wrong with granny, which I think is nicely done. Is she ill or just feeling a bit sad? The child is empowered in the story to cheer her granny up. She takes the initiative: I’m going to go and make granny better. “As a child being read this or reading this with your family, you couldn’t help but feel on top of the world afterward.” You often hear of those projects where young kids go and visit old people’s homes, and the impact that has. I had the pleasure of being involved in one many years ago where we took a group of kids to an old people’s homes and just got them talking to all the residents. It was a joyous afternoon. There was lots of tea and biscuits. Everyone was glowing. The book begins with illustrations in greys and muted colours. You’ve got granny in her home with the pictures all askew and a wonderful cat in the middle who appears very unimpressed. Even the flowers are dead. Then this expressive little girl—a bundle of joy—tiptoes around gathering all the things she’ll need to collect “joy.” And all this “joy” is represented in the illustrations by great splurges of colour and shapes. As a child being read this or reading this with your family, you couldn’t help but feel on top of the world afterward. Sign up here for our newsletter featuring the best children’s and young adult books, as recommended by authors, teachers, librarians and, of course, kids. I think children reading this book would understand how the simple act of being with someone, of talking to someone, can have a huge impact. It’s so clear that by the end that granny is now happy and laughing. She is now dressed in colours and out having picnics, active again. Just delightful."