My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!, by Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Tiffany Everett (illustrator)

 

Publication Sept. 9, 2025

A colorful, beautifully illustrated, and, yes, cute book for children. I've always like Benatar's music, so this collaboration with husband and music collaborator Neil Giraldo was a big yes from the time I spied it listed. While their role as rocking grandparents might seem to get the spotlight, I liked that it also made the point that no matter what your own grandparents might do, they all rock in their own ways. The illustrations add to that, depicting items symbolic of various roles non=rock-n-rollers might take, from being a rock star cookie maker, taking you fishing, teaching or, well, simply loving their grandchildren. Benatar and Giraldo depict different cultures, too, an added plus, as grandparenting has no boundaries. Kudos to them for empathizing that grandparents come in different guises, colors, and may speak different languages .... or like different music. 

Bottom line, the text flows.... I'd love to hear it set to music .... and should be a hit with both child and grandparents everywhere. Lots of fun rhymes and illustrations showing not just the Benatar/Giraldo family in action but "average" grandparents with an emphasis that they all rock, too. Seeing the various names used to indicate Grandma and Grandpa was fun and their note that there are other names used out there, too, was a subtle nod to inclusion of all. Thanks #SourcebookKids  and #NetGalley for allowing me this early peek at this delightful book by Benatar and Giraldo with the help of illustrator Tiffany Everett who brings the scenes to life. I always knew they rocked as musicians so it's nice to know they are rocking their grandparent roles, too. 

Hooray for Summer!, by Kazuo Iwamura

 

I've become a fan of Kazuo Iwamura. This particular book will make you smile, worry a bit, and at the end go "Ahhh...how sweet". It's a lovely story of a moment in time.

Basically, it's a gentle illustration of friendship and trust between people, er, animals who aren't the same. While the squirrels dominate the tale, I couldn't help wanting to give the little mouse girl a hug at one point. She was scared by the raging storm and a tear escapes her eyes. She wants her "Mommy!", a feeling many humans share when they're scared or just need reassurance. The illustration of the storm is excellent, utilizing color and lines to represent the loud boom of thunder and sizzling lightning that follows. But, I get ahead of myself....

I loved how the animals, different species that they may be, work together. Not only does a bird warn them to seek shelter but there are three different types of animals represented. Besides the already mention squirrels and mice, a rabbit appears and politely asks if it may enter. A nice, subtle reminder to always be polite. The book begins with just the squirrels using nature's see-saw and ends with inclusiveness as the mice and rabbit have joined them. 

Mick the squirrel dubs them all the Summer Storm Friends, a notion that going through something together can forge bonds, a hint that's as applicable to humans as it is adorable little creatures. The illustrations are sweet, using subtle colors and lines to depict the soft warmth of a summer day and the sudden fury of a thunderstorm. It's a fun read that I can visualize stimulating discussion between parents and children. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #NorthSouthBooks for letting me spend a summer day with all it's warmth and fury with the squirrel children and their new friends. A great way to subtly depict acceptance and inclusion.