Grandfather's Wrinkles

Overview

Lucy and her grandfather are the focus of this poignant and warm story that teaches that wrinkles are badges of happiness rather than signs of age. Lucy asks Granddad, “Why doesn't your skin fit you? It’s all crinkly,” to which he replies, “Those crinkles are called wrinkles,” each of which he got when he smiled especially big. As Lucy traces Granddad’s joy-filled face, he describes his memories and shares the cause of each line—his wedding day, Lucy’s mother’s birth, precious moments from her childhood, and Lucy’s birth, among others. Beautiful drawings recreate each thoughtful memory, and the recollections showcase an intimate bond between the two generations.

Reviews

Grandfather's Wrinkles Reviews:

"A warm interchange of family history." —Children's Literature
 


"I love this one. . . . the illustrations are beautiful. It’s like Norman Rockwell stuff . . . an adorable book because it puts aging in the context of fabulous memories . . . so the question is: if it said 'Grandmother’s Wrinkles,' would I be as enthusiastic? Yes." —Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Dr. Laura Live Radio Show
 


"The connection between Lucy and her grandfather is touching and genuine, causing this book to exude warmth and love." —Ithaca Child
 


"In this heartwarming dialogue between Granddad and his granddaughter Lucy, the lost art of storytelling emerges as the vehicle whereby the elder recounts the happy events behind his every wrinkle." —Academic Planet.com
 


"Travel through decades of love and family memories with Lucy and her grandfather. With illustrations that resemble photographs, readers will stare at the shadowing and technique with amazement. Watch how fashion, automobiles and hairstyles change while the theme of life’s most poignant family memories resonates in the story." —Atlanta Parent Magazine, which selected this book as one of their 50 Must-Read Books of 2007
 


"Readers will fall in love with the captivating illustrations and the healthy emotions shared by a grandfather and granddaughter. . . . Though pop culture often frowns upon the process of growing old, this tale tells a proud and very different story." —Jewish Press
 


"Children will be delighted to use Lucy's method to learn more about their own grandparents' memories." —Georgia Family magazine
 


"A strongly touching book for adults and a warm hug for young children." —MyShelf.com
 

Author Biography

Kathryn England is the author of Grandfather’s Wrinkles, illustrated by Richard McFarland. Kathryn began writing when she was in her 40s and has been a prolific writer since then. In addition to her adult fiction which has appeared in many Australian magazines, Kathryn’s junior novels have been published by Lothian Books, Barrie Publishing, Macmillan Education Australia, and Wendy Pye Limited. She had a non-fiction book published by Scholastic Australia and her children’s fiction and non-fiction have appeared in Scholastic Australia Lucky Magazine, The School Magazine of the NSW Department of Education, Pearson Education Australia Spinouts Series and a Reading and Language Arts Assessment Program of McGraw-Hill America. Kathryn is married, has four children and three grandchildren, and lives in Penrith, Australia.

Richard McFarland is the illustrator of Grandfather’s Wrinkles, written by Kathryn England. Born in Chicago, he spent most of his childhood summers visiting family in Texas where he learned to appreciate the great outdoors and began to use nature in his art. One particular picture of a bobcat, with amazingly realistic eyes that appeared to follow you around the room, won Richard a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago. He worked as a retouch artist for a large printer in Chicago, perfecting his skills through the years, which in turn laid the foundation for the exceptionally life-like portraits that he paints today. One of his most beautiful works is titled Somewhere in Time, after the movie of the same name. Richard was commissioned to paint the stars, Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve, standing in front of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, the romantic setting for their movie. This is Richard’s first picture book, and he really is a grandfather – with wrinkles. Compare Richard’s photo on the back flap of Grandfather’s Wrinkles with the grandpa in the book for a great surprise. Richard lives in Huntley, Illinois with his wife, Fran.