Grandpa's Little One

by Billy Crystal, Guy Porfirio (Illustrator)

Billy Crystal follows up the best–selling success of I Already Know I Love You with a touching picture book celebrating a grandchild's birthday. Following up on the success of the bestselling I Already Know I Love You, Billy Crystal celebrates the first smile, swim, and giggle that occur in a baby's first year of life. Drawing once again from his own experience, Crystal captures the heartfelt emotions of a grandfather for his grandchild. With sincerity and enthusiasm, he describes the moments that make a child's first birthday special and memorable. Grandparents everywhere will recognize themselves in the words and pictures of this book, perfect for sharing with grandchildren who are experiencing first milestones of their own.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2006

About the author

William Jacob Crystal is a Golden Globe Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning American actor, writer, producer, comedian, and film director. He gained prominence in the 1970s for playing Richard Mulligan's & Cathryn Damon's TV son, Jodie Dallas, on the ABC comedy-drama, Soap, and became a Hollywood film star during the late 1980s and 1990s, appearing in the box office successes When Harry Met Sally... and City Slickers.

Reviews

[Lynn Davidson]

This is a sweet story of sentimental thoughts a grandfather has for his first grandchild in her first year. In rhyme that varies, and fabulous illustrations, many memorable events are depicted.

[Julia Jasztal]

Mommy's review from 9/20/11 -


I should first mention that I am a Billy Crystal fan. I had no idea he had written a children's book so when I happened to see this at the library I knew I'd give it a read.
It didn't live up to my expectations.
First, we listened to this on audio, with Crystal himself reading, while we followed along. He reads way too fast. Way, way too fast. As in, I barely as had time to turn the page before he was off and running. We had no time to process the previous passages before we were halfway through the next one. That really hindered the entire process if anyone asks me.
The thought behind the book is beautiful of course, a Grandfather reliving and relishing the first year of his Granddaughter's life. There are some really sensitive and adorable pieces to the book. I also liked how the illustrated Crystal resembles the real life Crystal. That was different and kind of cool.
I hope if Crystal is going/already is going to write more and include his own audio that he slows it down. It really is unbelievably fast. If I couldn't keep up how is a child going to?

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams]

A beautiful book about the love a Grandpa has for his granddaughter.

[Simon Geake]

Fantastic read. First time my good friend read it to me then I read it. Great rhymes

[Go]

I liked the pastel chalks used for the illustrations; they gave it a warm glowing feel to it. I thought some of the rhyming was awkward again as it was in Billy’s first children’s book. For example, “You really like your toes a lot—you found them yesterday. Although you have a lot of toys, it’s with those toes you’d rather play.” The best picture was of grandpa changing a dirty diaper. The disgusted look on his face was funny. The picture of him with his granddaughter kissing the mirror was cute. I liked the goofy swimming picture of her spraying grandpa in the face while he had on goggles. “I’m glad it was hot out so we could go swimming in the pool. I love to watch you do new things—all you used to do was drool.”

[Novelesque Life]

4 STARS

"Tony Award-winning comedian, director, actor, and bestselling author Billy Crystal is, above all things, a devoted grandfather. Drawn from his own experience, Grandpa's Little One tells the story of the first year in his grandbaby's life. It's a year filled with tender memories of every first-time event: first smile, first swim, first giggle and laugh, first piece of cake. Seen from a grandfather's point of view, each reverberates with love, tenderness, and a sense of humor. Grandparents everywhere will recognize themselves in the words and pictures of this book." (From Amazon)

Another great picture book for young children or those with grandchildren.

[katie]

Comes with a CD of Billy Crystal reading his own written words from a grandpa to a grandchild who is celebrating her first birthday. It's his feelings to her and Billy Crystal's voice adds humor and love to the book. Beautiful paintings of a Grandfather and grandaughter doing things that grandfathers SHOULD do with their grandbabies.

[Lori]

Though this book would obviously be a great read for grandpa to grandchild, it also reminded me about the joys of motherhood. The 'shiny' mentioned in the book, put a little shiny in MY eye. Childhood slips by quickly, but in the hard moments it sure is difficult to remember that and make the most of the good ones!

[Renee]

This made me ugly cry. A beautiful, beautiful take on a babies first year with their Grandpa. A relationship that is sacred and special, and could only be understood by your child and their Grandpa. Loved it.

[Maureen]

A bit to sappy

[Louise]

another book that I've given as gifts to grandparents with a great response