Sarah's daughter with her mom, Grandma Bernie. Photo: Sarah Threlkeld.

Because of divorces and remarriages in both my husband’s and my family, our daughter is fortunate enough to be doted on by four grandmothers. These wise, caring, and funny women shower my six-year-old with love and attention, making her feel safe and seen every moment they are together. A little over a year ago we moved three thousand miles away from the Seattle area, where three of those grandmas live, which has been hard on my daughter. She frequently brings up memories of time spent at their houses baking, making art, gardening, playing board games, and spending way more time than usual looking at screens. Clearly, there are perks to hanging out with grandmothers.

One of the things that helps alleviate some of the sadness of living so far away from these incredible women is reading stories about a child’s bond with her grandmother. Luckily, tons of wonderful picture books are being published that center intergenerational relationships, so we have a lot to choose from. From cooking to crafting to car trips and more, books portray a variety of family structures, cultures, and communities, and celebrate the special bond between children and grandmothers. Here is a Guide/Reviews Database booklist of some recently published picture books about grandmothers that the Horn Book recommends; for more titles, browse the subject: Family--Grandmothers.

Reminder: This Sunday, September 11, is Grandparents Day!