Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul: Stories to Open the Hearts and Rekindle the Spirits of Grandparents

by Jack Canfield (Compiler), Mark Victor Hansen, Hanoch McCarty

A collection of inspirational stories captures the challenges, joys, trials, and triumphs of being a grandparent.

Genres: Nonfiction

357 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite quote:
A friend of mine was asked how she liked having her first great grandchild. "It was wonderful", she replied, "until I suddenly realized that I was the mother of a grandfather." Robert Rice

[Kelly Kaufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the stories about grandparents and their grandchildren.

[BARBARA A MITTLESTEAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories reflecting the influence grandparents have on their children and grandchildren and people in their community

[Mitzi Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should write down my heartwarming grandma stories.

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of sweet stories in this little book

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super great book loved the stories

[Asha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read and very heartwarming!

[Xiaojuanwu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is fulfill with collection of stories the close relationship with grandchildren and grandmother. For some children, grandmother is also one of important person throughout life journey. She is mighty the one who comforts you when you are upset about something. She is mighty the one who makes you laugh when you are down. She is mighty the one who teaches you the differences between right and wrongs things in this world. This book is really touching as each story goes.

This book reminded me of my friend's relationship with her grandmother. She and her grandmother have been lived together since she was one year old while her parents were out the town for jobs. Both of them shared a lot of secrets with each other. They walked over the difficulty together as well. Sometimes my friend would have gotten very impatient with her grandmother due a circumstance; but her grandmother would be very patient to reconcile the conflict.Although she got mad of her grandmother, inside of her she is saying "Grandmother, I love you".

I would recommend this book to people who are having strong relationship with their grandparents. When they begin to read the book, they should bring a calm heart to enjoy every special relationship is told in the book.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading the stories about grandparents and grandchildren in this Chicken Soup book. I have never read entirely through a C.S. book before, but this time, as part of my reading 100 books this year, I was motivated to read a couple of stories each morning or evening. They were all so sweet and positive that they gave me respite from whatever anxiety or negative preoccupation I was entertaining. I am also thinking that I seem more comfortable reading short stories now than wading through an entire novel. In any case, I believe that I will find more of these Chicken Soup books to read during the course of this year and I have plans to recommend this compendium to grandparent friends who might need a bit of a pick-me-up.

[Cindy Work · Rating 3 out of 5]

Today's grandparents aren't content to sit in their rockers doing needlepoint or whittling wood. The modern grandparent is healthier and more active. Grandma may be traveling the world, writing a book or taking dance lessons! Grandpa might be found camping with the grandkids, entering a golf tournament or skydiving! These stories will remind you of the value of your contributions to your family and make clear what an honored position you hold within your circle of loved ones.

[Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was given to me by my son and his wife, the parents of my five adorable grandchildren. Read a little, cry a little....I'm not a fan of the "soul" books in general, but this one touched my granny-heart. There are some really funny cartoons for grandparents in the book, to off-set the tearjerker stories.

[Leyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer read - done with it. I wish I could find a Spanish version for my Mother to read ....

[Marie Buccellato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every grandparent has to read this book ;)

[Annisa UuU · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cukup bagus untuk melengkapi buku chicken soup dan melihat jalan pikiran seorang lansia :)

[Irene Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!!