Grandpa Bud

by Siobhan Dodds

Polly is bringing her hungry friends home to visit her grandfather, but her telephone conversation with Grandpa Bud leads to hilarious misunderstandings and amazing results.

Genres: Friendship, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1993

Reviews

[Shelley Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS was and is my now 20 year old daughter's favorite book! When she was in a coma at 14 months old, I read it to her all day every day for a week.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book a story of a child and her visit to her Grandpa Bud's house is told. The story starts out with Polly calling to tell Grandpa Bud she is coming to stay and would like him to make her a chocolate cake. He is excited to have her and starts making the cake right away. Throughout the story, Polly continues to call Grandpa Bud and ask if she can have a friend come as well and proceeds to tell him their favorite food. He agrees to having the friends stay over and rushes to make all the guests' favorite foods. At the end of the book Polly shows up with a basket of stuffed animals who Grandpa Bud was imagining were real people.

The relationship between Polly and her Grandpa Bud is shown through the text where Polly continues to ask if she can have friends over and he rushes to make dinner for Polly and the guests. It is evident that he cares deeply for Polly and wants her to have a good time at his house. However, Polly is the only character with dialogue in the story. The text shows Grandpa Bud working hard to prepare for the guests which exemplifies his care for Polly. I also believe having only Polly have dialogue develops her character as a young, spunky child who is talkative and friendly.

In addition to the text, the illustrations in the story help establish the mood. The pictures are bright and Grandpa Bud's home is welcoming. The rosiness of his cheeks, round body and big slippers give him a friendly look. Polly also has many similar physical features to her grandpa which also adds to the representation of their relationship. The illustrations give away the secret to the reader that Polly's friends are actually stuffed animals by showing both Polly and Grandpa Bud in their homes while they are talking on the phone. I think this makes it fun for a young reader to look for the grandpas reaction in the end of the story. I thought this was a good book for young children although it did not have a big lesson or deep meaning, it is fun and has a positive mood.

[Nyla Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nieces, nephews, and grandkids all loved this book as well as adults. Adults still rattle off quotes from it at certain times. A very entertaining book. Children will like the repetition and adults will relate to the "quick, quick, quick" attitude. Would definitely recommend this book. A favorite in our house.

[Vanessa Mattingly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a funny misunderstanding between the grandpa and his granddaughter. Students would find this story humorous and would be a good way to discuss perspective.