Getting Us to Grandma's

Written by Nadia L. Hohn

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

Although she's desperate to get the map book back so she can track their progress, it's not till they take a break that Nikki can reclaim the guide and enjoy the front seat beside her dad. As everyone in the back seat sleeps, Nikki and her dad watch the road and the signs and drive into the rain.

From Getting Us to Grandma's, written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms

But Nikki is an astute map reader and is sure her dad missed an exit, though he is convinced he's going the right way. Still when he finally recognizes that they're not where they want to be, Nikki is the one to help them get to Grandma's safely.

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

American illustrator TeMika Grooms takes us along on that journey, keeping readers firmly in the car except for departure and arrival. The car is the environment for this family on this adventure, from its green exterior and interior, with wood trim and front bench seat. She does take us outside to see the rain and guardrails, a gas station and the roadways of graffiti and more. But the focus is that car and the family within. TeMika Grooms never lets us forget that her digital art is to ensure the story is Getting Us to Grandma's.

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 

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)

Details from the eventbrite post include the following:

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

Friends Find a Way!

Written by Heather M. O'Connor

Illustrated by Claudia Dávila

Scholastic Canada

978-1-4431-9386-3

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

September 2023

 

When Suze first joined Tyson's class in Heather M. O'Connor's Fast Friends (2020), there was some nervousness about a non-verbal child in a wheelchair becoming friends with a boy who couldn't slow down. But, the two children did become friends, and fast friends at that, with Suze enjoying the speed in her wheelchair as much as Tyson loved helping her race about. Now the class is heading to the zoo for a field trip and both Tyson and Suze are excited to see the cheetah, an animal known for speed.

From Friends Find a Way!, written by Heather M. O'Connor, illus. by Claudia Dávila

At the zoo, the class are buddied up–Tyson with Suze–and told to stay together. As they focus on visiting different animals, the kids help direct the class, using the map. Of course, when it's time to see the cheetah, Tyson and Suze know just where to go. But as Tyson remains enthralled with the cheetahs, the class moves on, and suddenly Tyson and Suze are on their own. Tyson hadn't been paying attention, but Suze had, and though she can't express herself verbally, she knows how to tell Tyson where the class has gone.

From Friends Find a Way!, written by Heather M. O'Connor, illus. by Claudia Dávila

While some readers may see Suze's disability as the focus of Friends Find a Way!, author Heather M. O'Connor spends less time on Suze's limitations and more on the connection that Suze and Tyson have. That friendship may have been based initially on their appreciation for speed, but it has evolved into one of camaraderie, similar interests, and cooperation. There is no judgment about who can do or can't do something but instead shows them working together to get what they both need and want. It's that working together to navigate the rambling paths of the zoo to the missing class and to get there as quickly as possible that is how this friendship works. And a story about friends finding a way, whether to rejoining their class or to making their lives fuller and better, is the way to go.

From Friends Find a Way!, written by Heather M. O'Connor, illus. by Claudia Dávila

Claudia Dávila, who illustrated Fast Friends as well as Friends Find a Way!, keeps her digital art colourful, upbeat and dynamic, just like Suze and Tyson. And her illustrations are as inclusive as Heather M. O'Connor's story. Claudia Dávila shows us people of all ages, abilities, cultures and more and makes them all part of the community. And with a delightful assortment of animals, from the sloth and red panda, Komodo dragon and kangaroos, she also takes us on a visit to the zoo alongside Suze and Tyson's class.

Friends do find a way to make things work and Tyson and Suze have found a friendship that works for them, whether at school or at the zoo. They are truly fast friends, both in the speed of their mobility and in the security of the connection, with new experiences strengthening that bond even more.

• • • • • • • 

 

Fast Friends (2020)

Friends Find a Way (2023)

Timo Goes Camping

Written by Victoria Allenby

Illustrated by Dean Griffiths

Pajama Press

978-1-77278-040-6

48 pp.

Ages 5-8

March 2018

It's wonderful to see a new Timo story from Victoria Allenby and illustrated by Dean Griffiths.  This early reader series tugs at my heart with each new story as the rabbit Timo learns new life lessons alongside his friends Bogs, Hedgewick, Rae and Suki.

Suki, the squirrel with the ideas, decides the group of friends should go camping.  Though Timo feels that adventures are "messy and unsafe and not at all sensible," he goes along with the plan.  However, he looks for advice at the Toadstool Corners Library, where it "smelled like paper and ink and comfort," finding good advice in a book called Camping is Fun.

From Timo Goes Camping by Victoria Allenby, illus. by Dean Griffiths

Setting out on their adventure, Timo puts his new skills to use in knotting rope, making a fire, and recalling all the lessons about canoeing and orienteering and more.  But, when little things go wrong, like a tent that won't go up or a dunking in the lake, most of the group enjoys a chuckle, though Suki's teasing and name-calling becomes tiresome to Timo who finally has to call her out on it.

From Timo Goes Camping by Victoria Allenby, illus. by Dean Griffiths

This lovely series of early readers returns an innocence and humility to children's early readers that we haven't seen since Peter Rabbit and Frog and Toad.  There are valuable lessons about friendship and self-acceptance and learning.  But, even more, Timo allows children to share in his learning about friendship and interacting with others, as well as the importance of reading.  From his first book, Timo's Garden (2015), and his second, Timo's Party (2016), the rabbit is learning how to deal with friends and his own insecurities which he is always able to put aside when he takes the opportunities to learn and gain insight from his experiences.

From Timo Goes Camping by Victoria Allenby, illus. by Dean Griffiths

As in all three of the Timo books, Victoria Allenby has made her characters so distinct that their roles in this camping adventure make perfect sense.  Hedgewick is named Chief Chef, Rae is Head Engineer, Bogs is the Toad of Tunes, Suki is the navigator (though more like the one who tells everyone where to go and what to do), and Timo is labelled the camp librarian.  Each has assets that makes the group work effectively, though I'm partial to Timo who wisely finds answers in books.  For an author to create a story rich in characters, atmosphere, plot and positive messages is an astounding achievement for any book but extraordinary for an early reader.  

The story is brought to visual life by Dean Griffiths' artwork, with its textural richness of setting and scene.  Dean Griffiths, whose art illustrates among others Bad Pirate (by Kari-Lynn Winters, Pajama Press, 2016) and Tweezle into Everything (by Stephanie McLellan, Pajama Press, 2013), knows how to adapt his style for an early reader, balancing the story, not becoming the story as it may, and rightly so, in picture books.  

Together Victoria Allenby and Dean Griffiths have made Timo Goes Camping a book that any child would love to take on their own camping adventure, as guide (see the illustration below about using a compass), insurance or pleasant diversion.

From Timo Goes Camping by Victoria Allenby, illus. by Dean Griffiths

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Pajama Press has published a delightful readers' guide for Timo Goes Camping which is available for free download at http://pajamapress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Timo-Goes-Camping_ReadingGuide1.pdf

The Way Downtown: Adventures in Public Transit

Written by Inna Gertsberg

Illustrated by Mike Lowery

Kids Can Press

978-1-77138-552-7

44 pp.

Ages 4-8

2017

I've waited too long to review this gem of a non-fiction book that can be used to teach transportation, mapping, communities and so much more.  With the stories and art blending together into a fascinating depiction of travel on water and land within the city of Zoom, The Way Downtown includes everyone and their need to get around safely and efficiently.

From The Way Downtown: Adventures in Public Transit

by Inna Gertsberg 

illus. by Mike Lowery

(image from mikelowery.com)

Dr. Brodie is our first traveller, making her way from her island home by ferry and then cycling to the museum where she works.  In addition to learning about ferries and water transport, the reader learns about cycling and bike sharing.  Young Robbie is visiting his Aunt Raisa and he travels with her by bus and subway, all the while taking photographs of the urban wildlife.  Agent Theodore Rybka is on a mission to deliver an important package.  He takes multiple train and subway rides to remain incognito and confuse would-be followers of the spy. The busking Zanies family are heading to Great Park, like all our travellers, to perform.  Though public transit aficionados, using monthly transit passes, they lose Zach along the way and learn the efficiency of relocating separated parties. Finally, Boris, the guide dog, takes his visually impaired partner Guy via sidewalk and light rail train to meet their friend Leslie.

From The Way Downtown: Adventures in Public Transit 

by Inna Gertsberg

illus. by Mike Lowery

These are but 5 stories out of a billion taking place because of public transit in the city of Zoom but they give a snapshot of how different people live their lives and get around, whether visiting, working, or playing.  Readers will learn about all manner of public transit: how to use it, what to expect, paying for it, etiquette, and more.  From Lost & Founds, to repairs that take place, as well as guide dogs, The Way Downtown is an informative and entertaining read about getting around in the city. It's a fun look at the everyday concept of travel by public transit (none of the stories have travellers in cars) to see the benefits and intricacies of urban movement from place to place. Though I might see Toronto, my hometown and the residence of author Inna Gertsberg, in the city of Zoom, I suspect that Zoom could be any and every city with multiple public transit provisions, a great park and other urban features likes hospitals, a zoo, museum and observatory.

From The Way Downtown: Adventures in Public Transit

by Inna Gertsberg 

illus. by Mike Lowery 

(image from mikelowery.com)

Mike Lowery, who illustrated Maureen Fergus's award-winning The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten (Kids Can Press, 2013) and Andrew Larsen's A Squiggly Story (Kids Can Press, 2016), gets in the busyness and complexity of an urban centre like Zoom which keeps all its people moving via many modes of public transit.  There's lots to notice and details to pick out and Mike Lowery makes The Way Downtown an urban Where's Waldo? of movement and stories being lived.  The organization of the book which resembles a graphic novel with information embedded in maps, graphic organizers and more is both inviting and comprehensive, as well as engaging.

From The Way Downtown: Adventures in Public Transit

by Inna Gertsberg 

illus. by Mike Lowery

Take a worthwhile foray into public transit, whether in a classroom with young students learning about transportation and communities (the glossary provided is worthwhile) or with your own children before a trip or to see themselves in and about their own neighbourhoods, by getting on board The Way Downtown: Adventures in Public Transit.