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Grandpa Chatterji
Neeta and her little brother Sanjay have two grandpas, Dad's dad Grandpa Leicester and Mum's dad Grandpa Chatterji, who live in India. One day Grandpa Chatterji comes all the way to visit them, and the two children discover what a wonderful, surprising and magical Grandpa he is.
Paperback
First published February 11, 1993
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152 people want to read
About the author
Jamila Gavin
88 books65 followersJamila Gavin was born in Mussoorie, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas, to an Indian father and an English mother. Jamila has written many books with multicultural themes for children and young adults. She won the Whitbread Children’s Book Award in 2000 and was runner-up for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. Her work has been adapted for stage and television. Jamila Gavin lives in England.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 11, 2014
This story is about the wonderful adventures of Neetu and Sanjay when their Grandpa Chatterji comes from India to visit. Little did they know how much fun they would have since they only ever had their Grandpa Leicester to compare him to, who was always very grumpy and strict whenever he came round.
Neetu and Sanjay learn so many new things about their Grandpa Chatterji and his life in India but as the story unfolds, Grandpa Chatterji reveals more than what meets the eye.
I liked this story because I could relate to Neetu and Sanjay's experience of having visitors over to stay. The story has a fun element like opening gifts and going on days out with with the family. It explores cultural differences, compares lifestyles between India and England and even looks at religion.
I think this would be suitable for year 2 (age 6-7) as there is a lot of descriptive language, punctuation and similies and only a few pictures in black and white. It would be suitable as guided reading material as this gives the teacher an opportunity to ask questions about the characters and encourage open discussion.
Neetu and Sanjay learn so many new things about their Grandpa Chatterji and his life in India but as the story unfolds, Grandpa Chatterji reveals more than what meets the eye.
I liked this story because I could relate to Neetu and Sanjay's experience of having visitors over to stay. The story has a fun element like opening gifts and going on days out with with the family. It explores cultural differences, compares lifestyles between India and England and even looks at religion.
I think this would be suitable for year 2 (age 6-7) as there is a lot of descriptive language, punctuation and similies and only a few pictures in black and white. It would be suitable as guided reading material as this gives the teacher an opportunity to ask questions about the characters and encourage open discussion.
September 9, 2011
I remember reading this book in primary school, and holding it very close to my experiences, as I too had a grandpa who was from India. It's an excellent read, as it shows the cultural differences between the two grandpa's as well as the cultural background of India, and how the children grasp onto the new knowledge that has been given to them through Grandpa Chatterji. Also, the exciting ending where the Leicester Grandpa joins into the festivities led by Grandpa Chatterji and the two children. I'd absolutely recommend it for a quick, happy read.
January 9, 2012
Good read. I love the cultural references to food, lifestyle and unfamiliar words. A great way to introduce cultural diversity in the classroom.
It is about a Grandpa who visits his family in England from India. Neeta and Sanjay will meet their grandpa for the first time. At first they find him perculiar but they begin to appreciate his mannerisms. It can also reflect the classroom life too and help chn understand/ be aware of family lifestyle.
It is about a Grandpa who visits his family in England from India. Neeta and Sanjay will meet their grandpa for the first time. At first they find him perculiar but they begin to appreciate his mannerisms. It can also reflect the classroom life too and help chn understand/ be aware of family lifestyle.
October 15, 2018
Grandpa Chatterji is a fun read for younger children. Nice book depicting characters that live their everyday lives in England incorporating traditions from India (or who choose not to!).
September 22, 2019
More a series of short stories than a novel - Grandpa Chatterji is a wonderful character and the book is packed full of wonderful, vivid descriptions. Has a recipe at the end as well!
November 1, 2019
This is a very good short novel that would be great for teaching children about different cultures.
January 3, 2022
A cute, heartwarming story about a Grandpa from India coming to stay for the first time in England.
I found this in my room, no doubt a refugee from my mum's teaching days that has somehow found its way into my bookcase. I thought I'd give it a go as I'm going to be sat in this room for Covid isolation for a good few days, and I've read most of the other books in there.
It's not the most inventive of plots, and it's not the most brilliant writing I've ever come across, but it doesn't have to be. This is supposed to be a short book, presumably for classrooms, for kids to take in quickly, and to give them a glimpse of diversity. In terms of that, it does brilliantly.
It also is, as I mentioned, heartwarming. It's a nice, family-based plot of surpassed expectations and keeping an open mind, which are great things to have in a kids' book. There's a lot of children's books that are a bit heavy-handed with this, and while this isn't the lightest touch, it's not as in-your-face as it could be.
I think kids will enjoy this, which is exactly the point. A good classroom book.
I found this in my room, no doubt a refugee from my mum's teaching days that has somehow found its way into my bookcase. I thought I'd give it a go as I'm going to be sat in this room for Covid isolation for a good few days, and I've read most of the other books in there.
It's not the most inventive of plots, and it's not the most brilliant writing I've ever come across, but it doesn't have to be. This is supposed to be a short book, presumably for classrooms, for kids to take in quickly, and to give them a glimpse of diversity. In terms of that, it does brilliantly.
It also is, as I mentioned, heartwarming. It's a nice, family-based plot of surpassed expectations and keeping an open mind, which are great things to have in a kids' book. There's a lot of children's books that are a bit heavy-handed with this, and while this isn't the lightest touch, it's not as in-your-face as it could be.
I think kids will enjoy this, which is exactly the point. A good classroom book.
April 7, 2018
A vibrant and warm collection of stories about two children and their Grandpa Chatterji, who comes to the UK to visit his grandchildren. There is a wonderful sense of harmony in the different cultures coming together and being wholeheartedly embraced on both parts, with both Grandpa Chatterji and the other characters being excited to try new things and have different experiences. This would be a great text for children to develop interests and explore beyond their own cultural norms- you are never too old to learn, just like Grandpa Chatterji.
An super book for children just starting to read or even to read to a class, the chapters each hold a lively story, with lovely illustrations add to the fun.
An super book for children just starting to read or even to read to a class, the chapters each hold a lively story, with lovely illustrations add to the fun.
February 27, 2021
One of my favourite childhood books as I remember reading this when I was younger! This book is very good to read and relate to personal cultures, backgrounds in the class and I enjoyed reading a book that included cultures names, perfect book for reading when it’s Diwali, Eid and can interlink with many subjects. For example,art lessons. Just by looking at the front cover there are many patterns and designs children may pick up on which may have significant meanings in that culture. Overall, a fantastic read!
March 10, 2018
Interesting story about how 2 children meet their grandpa form India, who brings with him lots of wonderful lessons about Indian culture and food and introduces them, and their other grandpa (Grandpa Leicester - usually grumpy and strict) to a more adventurous way of life.
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May 7, 2022Read for English lessons at work.
August 25, 2013
I really enjoyed reading Grandpa Chatterji by Jamila Gavin. It is a very uplifting and feel good story. It has a sense of adventure and also implies that people do not need material possessions to be happy. It touches on culture and religious aspects, which is important for children to read and learn about.
The children in the story are use to their Grandpa Leicester who lives with them in England and is a very stern business man. They fear him and don’t like him very much because he is strict. Mum tells them that their Grandpa Chatterji is coming from India to meet them. They are very apprehensive as they are scared that if he is anything like their grandpa Leicester they will not be happy. Grandpa Chatterji arrives and they are pleasantly surprised. Grandpa Catterji is not what they imagined, he takes them on a variety of adventures, teaches them about praying and about traditional Indian food. Grandpa Chatterji turns out to be very fun and laid back even getting their Grandpa Leicester to relax a little. The last adventure Grandpa Chatterji claims there is a poppy field and decides to take them on the walk to find it no one believes him, but the children. Who become somewhat disappointed when Grandpa Chatterji leads them to an empty field and just closes his eyes to imagine the poppy field.
He goes back to India and one day in the summer the family decide to go back to the field where Grandpa Chatterji had led them. To their surprise they find that the empty field that he led them to was now filled with poppies. It’s a very heart warming story, with exciting adventures and an overall good class reading book.
The children in the story are use to their Grandpa Leicester who lives with them in England and is a very stern business man. They fear him and don’t like him very much because he is strict. Mum tells them that their Grandpa Chatterji is coming from India to meet them. They are very apprehensive as they are scared that if he is anything like their grandpa Leicester they will not be happy. Grandpa Chatterji arrives and they are pleasantly surprised. Grandpa Catterji is not what they imagined, he takes them on a variety of adventures, teaches them about praying and about traditional Indian food. Grandpa Chatterji turns out to be very fun and laid back even getting their Grandpa Leicester to relax a little. The last adventure Grandpa Chatterji claims there is a poppy field and decides to take them on the walk to find it no one believes him, but the children. Who become somewhat disappointed when Grandpa Chatterji leads them to an empty field and just closes his eyes to imagine the poppy field.
He goes back to India and one day in the summer the family decide to go back to the field where Grandpa Chatterji had led them. To their surprise they find that the empty field that he led them to was now filled with poppies. It’s a very heart warming story, with exciting adventures and an overall good class reading book.
September 5, 2012
Neetu and Sanjay have tow grandpa’s: Grandpa Leicester who they always see and Grandpa Chatterji whom they have yet to meet.
Grandpa Leicester is a stern man, he likes everything done his way and always wants Neetu to wear a dress and for Sanjay to wear his best clothes. Neetu and Sanjay do no like it when he comes to visit.
One day mum announces that Grandpa Chatterji will be coming to visit. The children are excited, what will he be like?
When Grandpa Chatterji arrives bare footed and with nothing but a roll out bed, Neetu and Sanjay are amazed. Grandpa Chatterji is full of little surprises, he meditates in the garden, he stands on his head, he loves the funfair and he is a good cook. Grandpa teaches the children how to use their ‘minds eye’ to visualise a poppy field which one day comes to life.
This is a heart warming story about the bond between the children and their grandpa. The text is very easy to read with many cultural references. The author has used descriptive language to help the reader stretch their imagination and bring the story to life.
The story would be better suited to year two if read to them as a whole class, giving their teacher the opportunity to explain some of the cultural terms used. The book could also be used with older children to inspire creative writing
Grandpa Leicester is a stern man, he likes everything done his way and always wants Neetu to wear a dress and for Sanjay to wear his best clothes. Neetu and Sanjay do no like it when he comes to visit.
One day mum announces that Grandpa Chatterji will be coming to visit. The children are excited, what will he be like?
When Grandpa Chatterji arrives bare footed and with nothing but a roll out bed, Neetu and Sanjay are amazed. Grandpa Chatterji is full of little surprises, he meditates in the garden, he stands on his head, he loves the funfair and he is a good cook. Grandpa teaches the children how to use their ‘minds eye’ to visualise a poppy field which one day comes to life.
This is a heart warming story about the bond between the children and their grandpa. The text is very easy to read with many cultural references. The author has used descriptive language to help the reader stretch their imagination and bring the story to life.
The story would be better suited to year two if read to them as a whole class, giving their teacher the opportunity to explain some of the cultural terms used. The book could also be used with older children to inspire creative writing
July 31, 2013
read with my class at the beginning of term and it was ok of a book
May 10, 2016
This book gives some insight into Indian culture and it's just a very pleasant story.
Want to read
January 2, 2016great
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews