WORLD'S COOLEST GRANDPA

Golden’s slice-of-life picture book honors a special grandfather by sharing a day in his life.

Masao Sawada “lives every day to the fullest,” the narrator explains. Now retired, the 78-year-old grandfather drives a cool yellow convertible. His day is full of normal activities, such as chatting with people at the convenience store, playing sudoku, and talking with his neighbors in the senior home where he lives in Toyota City, Japan. He’s also a golfer who likes to eat out at restaurants. But the best parts of his day are the times he talks on the phone with his school-age granddaughter, Liana, who has tan skin and black hair. There’s not much plot to this story; the author simply describes what happens over the course of the day, in a list-like format—though various asides, like Masao enjoying how the wind blows in his hair when he drives, offer additional insight into his life. The accessible text is enhanced by McCarthy’s excellent full-color cartoon illustrations. The painterly backgrounds give the scenery texture, and the people are richly detailed, making each character (even those who only appear on one page) engaging and memorable. The connection between Liana and Masao comes through clearly, and the moment when he shares his video call screen with a restaurant server conveys big grandparental love.

Despite a lack of plot, the portrayal of this cool grandpa is sure to charm.