Don't Call Me Grandma

For the child navigating a relationship with a family member who is more elegant and reserved than warm and fuzzy.

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About This Book

Reach for this book when your child is trying to understand a family member who feels a bit distant, formal, or even prickly. Great-Grandma Nell is not your typical cookie-baking grandmother: she is elegant, smells of Chanel No. 5, and insists on being called Great-Grandma Nell. Through a young girl's eyes, we see a relationship built on observation and respect rather than easy cuddles. It is a beautiful exploration of how love can look different across generations and how history shapes the way elders carry themselves. Best for children ages 4 to 8, this story validates the feeling that some relatives take time to know while celebrating the dignity and rich heritage of an older generation.

Love & Family Grandparent Relationship Family & Siblings Celebrating Heritage African American Heritage Curiosity & Wonder History Self-Confidence & Identity

What Parents Should Know

Racism & DiscriminationMild

References historical segregation and the need for personal strength in the face of it.

Sensitive Topics

The book touches on historical racism and segregation through a secular, realistic lens. These topics are handled as part of the grandmother's lived history, providing a grounded explanation for her personality. The resolution is realistic: they don't become 'cuddly,' but they find a mutual rhythm of respect.