May 31, 2021
In iterations that each begin “One, two, Grandma loves you,” Becker (Even Superheroes Make Mistakes) and Yaccarino (The Longest Storm) update a common counting-out rhyme to detail a brown-skinned child’s visit to their white grandmother’s home. Having prepped for the much-anticipated event (“Seven, eight, mark the date”), the two are “Nine, ten, together again.” The counting starts over, and activities ensue: “Three, four, best toy store,” finds the pair picking out a ginormous stuffed bear, while bathrobe mani-pedis represent “Seven, eight, stay up late.” In the third and final count, the child piles up furniture, dramatically refusing to leave (“Three, four, blocking the door”), but readers are quickly assured of another visit on the horizon. The versatility of Yaccarino’s vivid signature style is clearly evident here in simple lines, biomorphic shapes, and retro patterning. Grandma’s chic house is a thoroughly imagined home-away-from-home, decked out in a whimsical mid-century modern style, while the duo’s intergenerational affection is portrayed as effortless, effusive, and unconditional. A wonderful celebration of reunions that’s especially meaningful after the pandemic’s long drought. Ages 3–5. Illustrator’s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House.
June 15, 2021
Anticipation makes Grandma's visits with her grandchild extra special. Although they're depicted embracing on the cover, for the first two spreads, Grandma (who appears White, with brown hair pulled into a bun) and her grandchild (who appears to be a kid of color, with brown skin and curly black hair) are seen in their separate homes. Yaccarino's bold, flat art style has a modern flair even as the accompanying text evokes the familiar nursery rhyme to share anticipation of a visit. The third spread reads, "Nine, ten together again!" and the cover art is replicated on the recto while the facing page introduces the child's parents, a Black man and White woman, who are dropping the child off with Grandma. Ensuing pages share how the pair joyfully fill their days together, until--"three, four blocking door," the visitor tries to prevent mom and dad from coming in to retrieve their offspring. Instead of ending the story there, Becker and Yaccarino show how Grandma and grandchild keep in touch while apart, and then a culminating scene shows them reuniting for another visit--only this time Grandma packs her bag to make the trip to her grandchild's house. Especially given the separation many grandparents and grandchildren have endured throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, this title is likely to strike a chord with readers. There's lots to love here indeed. (Picture book. 2-5)
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Starred review from October 1, 2021
PreS-Gr 3-Yaccarino pares back his style to retro-inspired shapes against flat backgrounds with the palette of a 1950s diner menu, which amplifies Becker's spare storytelling to the level of a pure, cadenced classic: "One, two, Grandma loves you. Three, four, visit more." A very modern, bespectacled grandmother, who is white with brown hair, is counting down the days till her grandchild arrives for a visit. This little girl is brown with black hair, her mother is white, and her father has brown skin. In their separate environs, everyone plans and anticipates the big moment, marking days off on the calendar. "Five, six, precious pics. Seven, eight, mark the date." The visit is everything each of them hoped for: "One, two, Grandma loves you. Three, four, best toy store. Five, six, measure and mix. Seven, eight, stay up late." Why does it ever have to end? The details in the illustrations will have children poring over the pages, where the clues to good times past and present add up to a generous look at the special bonds of an extended family. VERDICT Story hours will be better for this loving book, which also fits in a unit on grandparents, the racial makeup of families, or trip-planning-Kimberly Olson Fakih, School Library Journal
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