Grandma Lois Remembers: An African-American Family Story (What Was It Like, Grandma)

Kindergarten-Grade 3--Erick lives with his parents and two older siblings in Queens, NY. This photo-essay begins by describing the special, loving relationship that he has with his mother, a librarian, and his father, a government worker. Then, the focus shifts to Grandma Lois, who lives nearby and spends many hours reading the Bible and sharing family history with her grandchildren. Her reminiscences include growing up in racially segregated Birmingham, AL; playing hopscotch and checkers; and enjoying big Sunday dinners of fried chicken, collard greens, and corn. The book concludes with the words to "Amazing Grace," a family favorite; a recipe for sweet potato pie; and tips for young readers on learning more about their own families. The book is handsomely illustrated with full-color and sepia-toned photographs, set against backgrounds of cinnamon, burnt sienna, and moss green. The font varies in size and color, which lends a somewhat uneven tone to the otherwise unified design of the book but also allows key phrases to be read by beginning readers. A minor quibble is that only the lyrics of "Amazing Grace" appear along with the note, "If you know the tune, you can sing-too." This appealing and informative book will teach children about a particular family and encourage them to begin their own genealogical research.
Anna DeWind Walls, Milwaukee Public Library
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