Effin Older

This book compares and contrasts a little girls two grandmother's. The author was smart to use repetition with the "its a Lane tradition and its a Silver tradition." At the end of the book, the little girl unites the two grandmothers and they are both very accepting of one another's different cultures and traditions. The book compares Hanukkah and Christmas, countryside and city life, beach and snow, and different foods. I think this book shows diversity to children that they can relate to. This book teaches about acceptance and no judgements towards different people and traditions.… (mehr)

Lily's Grammy Lane and Bubbe Silver were two very different women: one was a farmer, while the other lived in the city; one loved winter, while the other was a "snowbird," flying south for the season; one was Christian, celebrated Christmas, and made red flannel hash, while the other was Jewish, observed Hanukkah, and served gefilte fish with (extra hot) horseradish sauce. But although they came from different backgrounds, and had different traditions, Lily's two grandmothers both loved her, as she loved them. How, Lily wondered, could she bring the two of them together in one tradition...?

With an engaging story that is sure to appeal to children of interfaith families - one in which the different traditions are less of a "problem" to overcome, than a challenge (and pleasure) to reconcile - and sweet watercolor and pencil illustrations that are humorous and full of fun, My Two Grandmothers is a pleasure to read. Although I think it will probably appeal most strongly to children of interfaith marriages, the active involvement of Lily's grandmothers in her life, make it a title I would also recommend to those looking for stories that celebrate the grandparent-grandchild bond.… (mehr)