September 8th is National Grandparents’ Day. Celebrate the special loved ones in your life with these great Canadian picture books.

38 Ways to Entertain Your Grandparents
(38 Ways to Entertain Your…)
Written by Dette Hunter
Illustrated by Deirdre Betteridge
Annick Press, 2002
Join Sarah and her siblings as they host their grandparents for the weekend. This unique storybook contains easy-to-follow instructions for 38 creative games, crafts, and recipes.

Emma’s New Game
Written by Gerald Mercer
Illustrated by Jillian Nicol
Pennywell Books, 2009
Who says kids today only want to play video games? In this delightful story, Poppy T teaches his granddaughter and her friends how to play the game of conkers with horse chestnuts. When all the grandfathers get involved, the battle to be the conker champion is on. This delightful intergenerational tale will warm the hearts of kids and grandparents alike.

Grand
(World Vision Early Readers)
Written by Marla Stewart Konrad
Photos provided by World Vision
Tundra Books, 2010
This is a loving visual essay about the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, no matter where they live or what the circumstances. Written with simple text, this book talks about the many ways one generation can interact with another.

Grandma’s Gloves
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by Julia Denos
Candlewick Press, 2010
Grandma loves her flowers and is always on her knees — talking to her roses or laughing with her birds of paradise. Her “most special flower of all” is her granddaughter with whom she spends many precious moments. One day Grandma falls ill and soon passes away, leaving her beloved garden and gardening gloves behind. It’s now the granddaugther’s turn to pass along the knowledge her grandmother bestowed upon her.

Grandpa Joe
Written by Ruowen Wang
Illustrated by Hechen Yu
Kevin and Robin Books, 2008
Like many elderly people Grandpa Joe lives alone and longs for companionship. Everyone is tired of listening to his stories — everyone except for the little boy who lives across the street and cannot speak. The boy has grown very fond of Grandpa Joe, so when Grandpa Joe breaks his leg and is taken to hospital, the little boy’s life changes forever.

Grandpa’s Girls
Written by Nicola I. Campbell
Illustrated by Kim La Fave
Groundwood Books, 2011
On a visit to her grandpa’s farm, a little girl and her cousins delight in exploring the buildings and fields around the farm, swinging out of the barn loft and feeding the Appaloosa crabapples. They ask questions about their grandma, search out Grandpa’s candy jar and discover the contents of his old wooden trunk.

The Little Word Catcher
Written by Danielle Simard
Illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Translated by Jill Corner
Second Story Press, 2008
Elsie’s grandmother used to know many marvellous words, but now she seems to be losing them all the time. This story offers a gentle explanation of the effects of Alzheimer’s on relationships in a family. It was first published in French as the award-winning La petite rapporteuse de mots.

Mile-High Apple Pie
Written by Laura Langston
Illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner
The Bodley Head/Random House, 2004
In this heartwearming family story, Grandma remembers lots of things – like how to make apple pie. But some days, she can’t recall her granddaughter’s name. Book Includes a recipe for apple pie.

Nana’s Getting Married
Written by Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrated by Georgia Graham
Tundra Books, 2010
Nana was the best grandma in the world — she baked chewy chocolate chip cookies, knit mittens and socks and told the best stories at bedtime. Then Nana met Bob, and her grandson did not approve! This delightful story will resonate with anyone who has ever had to share the attentions of their favourite person with someone new. The playful chalk-pastel art of Georgia Graham will produce many giggles.

The Rainbow Rocket
Written by Fiona Tinwei Lam
Illustrated by Kristi Bridgeman
Oolichan Books, 2013
James enjoys his visits with his grandmother when they make art together. He becomes worried as her health declines and when she passes away, James finds his own way to commemorate her legacy of art and love. The story depicts the power of the heart and imagination to transform and transcend loss.

Really and Truly
Written by Émilie Rivard
Illustrated by Anne-Claire Delisle
Translated by Sarah Quinn
Owlkids Books Inc., 2012
Charlie’s grandpa used to entertain him with fantastic stories, but lately Grandpa’s just not himself. A disease has stolen his memories, his appetite and even his smile. What can Charlie do to help bring Grandpa’s smile back? With tenderness, sensitivity and humour, this story explores the effect that dementia has on a young boy and his family. This title is also available in French as Vrai de vrai, papi?

Something from Nothing: 20th Anniversary Edition
Written and illustrated by Phoebe Gilman
Scholastic Canada, 2012
Joseph asks Grandpa to mend his tattered blanket. The blanket becomes a jacket, a vest, a tie. Then it’s a handkerchief, and finally a button. But when the button is lost, what’s to be done? Even Grandpa can’t make something from nothing! This 20th anniversary edition of Phoebe Gilman’s Canadian classic will introduce this rich tale of relationships and transformations to a whole new generation of Gilman fans.