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Good As New
Paperback book.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 18, 2023
Grady’s grandfather fixes his beloved teddy bear after his cousin damages it.
One day Grady’s parents babysit his younger cousin K.C., so his uncle can participate in a child-free recreational activity. K.C. has a complete meltdown as soon as he is dropped off. But instead of allowing K.C. to cry himself out, Grady's parents insist that Grady allow K.C. to play with his beloved teddy bear. Predictably, the overly indulged, emotionally unregulated child damages Grady’s teddy bear. He drags it around by the ears, smears it with peanut butter, and then tries to fed it to the dog, and finally he takes it out into the yard, throws it in the dirt, and sprays it down with the garden hose.
Grady’s parents apologize for his cousin’s ruining Grady’s teddy bear and want to simply throw it away. Luckily, it's Grandpa to the rescue, and he fixes Grady’s bear up, so it’s as good as new.
Morals: 1) One does not need to share everything with everybody. 2) The most effective way to deal with a tantrum is to ignore it rather than positively reenforcing the behavior through attention and bribery.
My parents were always ones to take sharing too far by insisting we let children who were never taught to treat things that don't belong to them with respect to play with our toys, so I identified with Grady’s predicament and distress. My grandfather would also disappear on long walks whenever there was conflict in the house and reappear later as if nothing had happened.
Parenting pro tip: before any other children come over, make sure any special or irreplaceable toys are taken upstairs and secured in the child’s bedroom to prevent their being lost, stolen, or damaged.
One day Grady’s parents babysit his younger cousin K.C., so his uncle can participate in a child-free recreational activity. K.C. has a complete meltdown as soon as he is dropped off. But instead of allowing K.C. to cry himself out, Grady's parents insist that Grady allow K.C. to play with his beloved teddy bear. Predictably, the overly indulged, emotionally unregulated child damages Grady’s teddy bear. He drags it around by the ears, smears it with peanut butter, and then tries to fed it to the dog, and finally he takes it out into the yard, throws it in the dirt, and sprays it down with the garden hose.
Grady’s parents apologize for his cousin’s ruining Grady’s teddy bear and want to simply throw it away. Luckily, it's Grandpa to the rescue, and he fixes Grady’s bear up, so it’s as good as new.
Morals: 1) One does not need to share everything with everybody. 2) The most effective way to deal with a tantrum is to ignore it rather than positively reenforcing the behavior through attention and bribery.
My parents were always ones to take sharing too far by insisting we let children who were never taught to treat things that don't belong to them with respect to play with our toys, so I identified with Grady’s predicament and distress. My grandfather would also disappear on long walks whenever there was conflict in the house and reappear later as if nothing had happened.
Parenting pro tip: before any other children come over, make sure any special or irreplaceable toys are taken upstairs and secured in the child’s bedroom to prevent their being lost, stolen, or damaged.
June 16, 2012
This is such a cute book. The grandfather fixes up his grandson's bear after his cousin ruins it. I really like the illustrations. The stuffed bear just looks so lovable. I enjoy reading this one to my son, it just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
April 11, 2008
grandpas rock
August 17, 2013
This was my favourite book as a child. I constantly had it checked out from my school library, and no one else got to read it because of that.
April 12, 2025
"Never you mind now, Grady."
This book has such HEART. In just a few pages, it honors special relationships, recognizes anxiety and frustration, and models male leadership that can handle emotional labor.
My Grandpa was this kind of man. He did all of the dishes, ALWAYS, and sewed many items for me.
This book has such HEART. In just a few pages, it honors special relationships, recognizes anxiety and frustration, and models male leadership that can handle emotional labor.
My Grandpa was this kind of man. He did all of the dishes, ALWAYS, and sewed many items for me.
June 21, 2021
This is so cuteeee. Why haven't I read this one before?!
April 5, 2024
Excellent book!! I used to read this to my children and now I want it for myself!
August 20, 2017
3.5 stars. A boys loved bear get messed up and his grandpa is the rescue. Cute story!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews