A warm, authentic celebration of family reunions, told through the eyes of a kind-hearted little girl who shows us that love and laughter can overcome any language barrier.

GRANDPA IS HERE! With his bristly moustache and suitcase smelling of Persian spice, Grandpa and granddaughter have so much that they want to see and do together. He's brought walnuts picked from his trees at home, and sparkly saffron to make yellow rice. His granddaughter shows him all her most favourite things: the mountaintops, the tunnel she discovered, the horse in the field. If only Grandpa could stay longer, then he could see the spring. But when time together is limited, it feels all the more sweet and special.

A tender and stunningly illustrated picture book, rich in the charm of child-like wonder and the magical bonds between families – even those spread out across the world.

Creators

Tanya Rosie studied English Literature in Nottingham, Vancouver and London, before becoming an editor, author and passionate reader of children's books. She currently works as a commissioning editor at Walker Books, and also loves to write poems and picture books of her own. Mum, Me and the Mulberry Tree was her debut. Tanya grew up in Milton Keynes in a household filled with Iranian traditions (from her mum), and a few Scottish ones, too (from her dad). In all her writing, she likes to capture something of the way it was being a child. She now lives in St Albans. Find her on Twitter as @tanya_rosie.

Chuck Groenink is a hugely talented Dutch illustrator who grew up in The Netherlands but moved to the US a while back, and currently lives in Kinderhook, New York. Chuck's previous picture books include Hungry Jim for Chronicle, The Library Book for Simon & Schuster and William's Winter Nap for Disney Hyperion. When not drawing pictures for books, he likes to read, bake bread, or go hiking, and he wishes he could play the banjo. Find him on Twitter as @chuckgroenink and Instagram as @c.groenink.

Reviews

Featured in Pen & Inc Autumn/Winter 2022 listings, highlighting the best in diversity and inclusion in children’s books.

Pen & Inc

A warm and tender story about familial love and migration.

The Bookseller

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