Illustrated by TeMika Grooms
Groundwood Books
978-1-77306-689-9
32 pp.
Ages 3-6
October 2024
When you're a child, a visit to your grandparents can be a very special outing. But for Nikki this visit is really special because her family has to travel to another country and they're going to attend the wedding of her Uncle Travis. But first they must get there.
Even before they hit the road, Nikki has been studying the globe and now their road atlas for the USA because they are travelling from Toronto to the Bronx in New York City. Sitting in the backseat with her mother who cradles the traditional Black Cake and her younger sister Maya in her car seat, Nikki has the map book before it's grabbed by her brother Langston who sits in the front seat. Now Nikki can only think about all the places her family now lives and where they once came from. She knows of Africa and Jamaica, England, and the US and who lives where. (Her map drawing skills on the window are especially impressive.)
 |
| From Getting Us to Grandma's, written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms |
 |
| From Getting Us to Grandma's, written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms |
Getting Us to Grandma's is based on Nadia L. Hohn's own family travels from Toronto to the Bronx and her "Author's Note" tells us they are travels of which she has fond memories. It may be based on travel in the early 1980s–the use of a map, the clothing, her brother's Walkman, a Rubik cube, and the music may suggest that time–but travels with your family are timeless events. For Nikki, the memories are in the details, from co-piloting her dad's driving, bringing the bucket that would be used for toileting, and tracing family on a globe and maps. More importantly, for her it wasn't just about the destination. Sure, getting to visit with their Grandma and attend a family wedding were very important but the journey and her role in ensuring their arrival at Grandma's was equally important. Nikki was not going to sleep the journey away; she intended to be an active participant. And in tracking their progress through the map and the signage, and helping them get to the Bronx, this family trip was more than a Point-A-to-Point-B route. Nadia L. Hohn makes this a journey of family and discovery, as well as a celebration of a young girl's aptitude in map reading. And isn't it lovely to see her father trust the young navigator by his side.
 |
| From Getting Us to Grandma's, written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms |
Getting Us to Grandma's may be a universal story, perhaps from a different time but still wholly topical, with which any family who travels any distance to visit relatives will be familiar. But while Nadia L. Hohn makes this a recognizable tale, she also makes this a story of her own heritage and those of others of Jamaican backgrounds. From the Black Cake and the patois spoken to listening to WBLS radio, Nadia L. Hohn makes her story reflect the experiences of the Caribbean diaspora who keep their culture and family close even when far apart in distance. Fortunately, a trip to Grandma's can bring everyone and everything together.
🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘
There's a great opportunity to partake in more than just a book launch of Getting Us to Grandma's because Nadia L. Hohn has a planned a special event.
On
Saturday, October 19
at
1:30 -3:30 PM
at
Toronto Public Library - Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre
341 Oakwood Avenue
341 Oakwood Avenue
Toronto, ON
Nadia L. Hohn
will be launching
Getting Us to Grandma's
&
celebrating her 10th book
with this free event
(tickets are available at eventbrite here)
which will include the following:
• Scavenger Hunt and Craft (1:30-1:45 PM)
• Reading and Words (1:45-2:15 PM)
• Performance and Dance (2:15-2:30 PM)
• Book signing, refreshments, and Dance (2:30-3:30 PM)
Come for a scavenger hunt, storytime, break dance, graffiti art, and rhyme.
Bring your bgirls, bboys, and family crew. Solo acts and grown folk are welcome too.
Below is a road map showing you the way.
There'll be refreshments and cake. You know, the deejay will always be playing your song.
Another Story Bookshop is the onsite book vendor where you can buy your copy of Getting Us to Grandma's and my other books. I'll even sign them for you.
Optional, dress code: 1980s. Wear your Adidas, kangol hats, jelly shoes, and let the groovy music play.
Some books by Nadia L. Hohn
