WHEN I BECAME YOUR GRANDMA

A panda grandmother and her grandchild move through the world.

Anthropomorphic, nameless pandas are the lone characters in this rhyming message of love. “I’ve seen you grow a little bit each day since you were small,” says Grandma joyfully, “and I’ll be watching over you as you grow big and tall!” Though Grandma loves telling the little one stories, she also assures the child that she will “listen when you share your dreams with me,” a brief but needed reversal of narratives where only elders offer wisdom. This refreshing morsel will be most appreciated by adults sharing the book with a child. Teckentrup’s signature blocky art style is gentle and spare throughout, depicting the pair trudging through a winter storm before finding warm shelter a spread later (“just know I’ll be beside you / and will always keep you warm”). In another scene, the duo gaze at clouds, with Teckentrup employing some truly gorgeous pink hues. However, it’s unclear if any of this will be enough to hold readers’ interest. There’s little action, making this one suited for one-on-one reading between a caregiver and child. Grandmothers may dive in emotionally and connect with the message, but otherwise it’s a toss-up.(This book was reviewed digitally.)

Tender but unlikely to capture readers’ attention.