One, Two, Grandma Loves You

by Shelly Becker, Dan Yaccarino (Illustrator)

From acclaimed creators Shelly Becker and Dan Yaccarino comes this joyful picture book about a girl and her grandmother as they plan the perfect visit together

One, two, Grandma loves you.
Three, four, visit more.
Five, six, precious pics.
Seven, eight, mark the date.

A young girl and her grandmother count up to their next visit and then do all of their favorite things together in this joyful rhyming picture book.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Counting, Childrens, Storytime, Love, Fiction

24 pages, Hardcover

Published August 10, 2021

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming picture book about a grandmother and child who don't live very close to each other so they eagerly count the days until they are together again. There is so much affection on each page that this will be a favorite book for grandparents to share with their grandchildren. Add this to any units on grandparents.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

CUTE! Follows the rhyme structure of "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" but changes the words to activities that this granddaughter and grandma do together. Very heartwarming and with some silly rhymes incorporated!

[Rainbow Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following a grandma and granddaughter who live far apart, One, Two, Grandma Loves You by Shelly Beck and Dan Yaccarino is a rhyming picture book done right! Using both counting and rhyme, One, Two, Grandma Loves You shares the story of a young girl visiting her grandma, beginning with the anticipation they both feel marking the date on the calendar. With the rhythm of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe”, we follow along as the parents drop the young girl at her grandma’s and the pair spend their days baking, fishing, painting, and staying up too late. Of course, the visit must come to an end eventually, but the story has a reassuring finish when we learn another trip will be planned.

The illustrations by Dan Yaccarino pair perfectly with the rhyming text by Shelly Becker. The colors are so vivid and inviting! I especially appreciate grandma’s stylish home and chic outfits.

I would highly recommend One, Two, Grandma Loves You for young readers with long distance grandparents. I haven’t spoken much about this here yet, but our family is currently in the process of moving to St. Louis, and my little one will soon live far away from both of his grandmothers and I plan to read One, Two, Grandma Loves You to him frequently. It’s such a reassuring read for children, helping them understand that physical distance does not equal emotional distance. I especially appreciated the way leaving Grandma’s was handled with a bit of humor and a lot of love.

Thank you so much to Abrams Appleseed for sending a review copy of One, Two, Grandma Loves You my way. I know this one will be appreciated by my family for years to come!
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[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

* Aiming for the heart, not the mind.
* Aiming for familiarity, rather than originality.
* And just that easily, you have in this book... an extraordinarily predictible joyful ode to grandmothers.

I'd say that this book plagiarizes another picture book I've reviewed recently:
"One, Two, Grandpa Loves You."

Sure, I'd say that... only how can you call it plagiarizing when the author of this book
is also the author of that other book?

As with the other one -- that extremely similar, joyful ode -- this one repeats many cliches you're already familiar with.

Hey, that's the lovely thing about cliches, right? They go down so easy, kind of like donuts for the soul.

Aiming for readers who enjoy all this, "One, Two, Grandma Loves You" deserves FIVE STARS. Obv.

PERSONALLY, THOUGH?

I don't like books that slide down easy.

In life, I recognize cliches and platitudes. Actually, I flee from them, metaphorically at least.

In a wild moment of candor, Goodreaders, I'll go so far as to say that imo books like these One, Two joyful odes... appeal to the lowest common denominator among children and grandparents, maybe parents.

Will they encourage new readers to read? Or to think? I doubt it. But feelgood, unchallenging books like this are sure to sell, sell, sell. Seems to be the point.

[Therese Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

….

Guess who is having a first birthday soon?

Yes, it’s my junior partner and tiny bookstagramer, Parker!

I thought this would be a great birthday book, because grandma does love him! And this book is absolutely wonderful and it’s cute numbered illustrations, as well as the quirky illustrations.

This book is a nice one if you are a grandmother who lives further away and must arrange visits with your precious grandchildren. It deals specifically with the issues of communication, planning, the excitement of the visit, the unhappiness of the visit’s conclusion, and circling back to anticipation of the next visit. We loved every page and Parker especially enjoyed the pink interior of the cover. Or he was trying to read the flap, not really sure, but he kept circling back to it.

Highly recommended by both grandma and grandson!

….

….

[Golden Ginkgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the quirky, fun illustrations and the cheerful rhymes in this picture book. A little girl and her grandma make plans to be together, have lots of fun adventures, say goodbye, and then see each other again on repeat in this book. The rhymes follow the structure of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” but are chocked full of the love between a grandparent and grandchild! The vibrant illustrations add another dimension to the rhymes. You can really feel the joy the pair feels in being together.

For my more books about grandparents, check out my post

For many more book recommendations for kids and parents, check out my blog: Golden Ginkgo Books

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A grandmother expresses her love for her granddaughter, teaching counting up 1-to-10.

This story features a positive grandmother-granddaughter relationship. Both grandmother and granddaughter anticipate a visit

The text uses a repeated phrase, which allows young readers to participate in the story and anticipate what will happen next. It is a circular, which ends where it begins, suggesting that the events will repeat.

The illustrations were done digitally in Dan Yaccarino's mid-century modern-inspired style. I particularly enjoyed the grandmother's Andy Warhol style portrait in her living room.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Abrams Books.
Delightful book for grandparents to share with their grandchildren. Becker takes us through the familiar rhyme scheme - "one, two..." - to offer a look into this special relationship between a grandmother and her grandchild. This one will make any child feel special as they spend time together or look forward to the next visit.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Playing off the "One, two, buckle my shoe" rhyme, this book shows a young girl visiting her grandma overnight. They do all kinds of fun things together, including planning another stay after the little girl goes home. This is a companion book to One, Two, Grandpa loves You" by the same author. A solid, but not outstanding, story time book.

[Reading]

Quote:

For my dear grandchildren:
Although we can’t always be together in person, my love is always with you.

…

Whether far apart or close together,

Grandma’s love is always there.



I really like this illustration, the background palettes are so soft and beautiful. But I expected more from the content.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child's delight in spending time with Grandma is the focus of this joyful picture book. I really liked the retro-kitsch style of the illustrations.

Veg*n parents note: There is a fishing scene in the montage of things the child and Grandma do together on their visits.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate that the illustrations show a white grandmother and a brown granddaughter. Can't remember a picture book with this pairing, and it reflects my family. Happy to share it with my Mom and daughter!

[Deb S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This playful narrative, written in rhyme, perfectly captures the anticipation that surrounds grandma’s visit as well as the fun experienced when she arrives. Lively pictures complement the text to make for an engaging read aloud.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, heartwarming story! For every grandparent that is distant from their grandkids- this is a perfect reminder of how even when you're apart, you are in eachother's hearts! And you can look forward to the NEXT visit!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spin on the “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” nursery rhyme. The rhyme, rhythm, and counting make it an ideal read-aloud for storytime. Bright, bold colors will appeal to young children. And bonus points for showing a biracial family!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really like the artwork, but the concept was nice. The granddaughter goes away to visit her grandmother and do fun things with her like painting their nails. (Which means the parents get some alone time! 😁)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to read this for a preschool or family storytime around Grandparent's Day.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to 3.5 stars.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! it was really cute!

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

MUCH better than I expected from a one-two rhyming book.

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable!!

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute counting to ten, again and again, book. great gift for grandparents and from grandparents to kids.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun rhyming love story between a grandparent and grandchild. ♥️

[Chana Stiefel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet book to read with grandchildren. Wonderful illustrations!

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grandma doesn't see her biracial granddaughter enough, but once the girl spends time there, she doesn't want to leave + she makes Gma more pictures, calls her, and schedules their next time together.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet! A terrific grandparent book, with love and affection brimming from each page.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely family book.
Great for little ones, maybe a grandparent storytime.

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cutest book that mirrors much of my daughter's life.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have grandchildren, read this to them.

If you don't have grandchildren, read it anyway.

It was so heartwarming.

[IvyInThePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children/ Picture book
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes