#ReadItMD13 Theme Week - "Thank goodness for Grandparents!"

Harriet Ziefert and Amanda Haley's excellent "Uses for a Grandpa / Grandma" books. 

This week as part of our ongoing campaign to get more parents reading to their children, we're celebrating groovy grandparents with a look at children's books that pay homage to them.

Rightly so, because let's face it, without grandparents we'd really struggle! Charlotte is lucky enough to have three awesome sets of grandparents (Grandma and Grandad, Nanny and Dodo and Grumpy Grampy and Grandmo) who love nothing better than sitting down with a good book and reading to her or with her.

Starting off with "40 Uses for a Grandpa" and "41 Uses for a Grandma" (41 because we all know that Grandmas are far more useful than Grandpas!) by Harriet Ziefert and Amanda Haley, here's a fun-packed and sometimes slightly irreverent pair of books that list in great detail all the wonderful things that grandparents do. Harriet obviously speaks with authority, being a grandma herself - and Amanda Haley's artwork is beautiful and funny, so don't miss these - they'll make great gifts for grandma or grandad next time birthdays or christmas roll around and you'd rather not buy them naff scented candles or socks.

Next here's a Grandad with a million and one tales to tell...

The Frank Show by David Mackintosh. Let's be Frank!

David Mackintosh's brilliant book "The Frank Show" is fantastic. The star is a Grandad who is at times a bit curmudgeonly (you know the type), talks way too much (again, you know the type) but is well loved. When a young boy decides that Frank (his grandad) will be the subject of his show and tell, he's not quite prepared for what happens next when Frank takes over the class and keeps everyone entertained with his stories. We love David Mackintosh's books and this is a real hoot!

Next, the most flexible Grandma ever seen? You bet...

Grandma Bendy by Izy Penguin. Bad Grandma Turns Good!

"Grandma Bendy" by Izy Penguin is a fun and original book that made us giggle with Grandma Bendy's antics (not all of them on the right side of the law, NAUGHTY Grandma). Her flexible twizzling limbs mean that she becomes an expert burglar, sneaking into people's houses and picking their locks before making off with their goodies. But when Grandma Bendy is burgled herself (they even took the goldfish!), she realises that it's horrible behaviour and gives herself up to the Police.

After a long spell at her majesty's pleasure, Bendy realises the error of her ways and vows never to use her yogic powers ever again. Until one day they're needed in a most unexpected way!

Though she's a bit of a bad lot at the start of the book, we love how Grandma Bendy is a lovely Grandma at the end who obviously loves her two grandchildren and loves playing crazy hide and seek games with them (can you spot her as she hides in different places in one part of the book?)

So who's next? Oh it's Grandad's turn again...

I'd Rather Go To Grandad's by Ian Whybrow and Sarah Massini. Lovely lighthouse living!

How about a Grandad who just happens to live in probably THE most exciting place ever? In a lighthouse on a remote island? How cool would that be for summer holidays?

In Ian Whybrow and Sarah Massini's lovely book "I'd Rather Go To Grandad's" we hear how a young kitten loves holidays there - and who wouldn't! Sleeping in hammocks, catching your supper, it all sounds so idyllic and with Ian's lovely rhymes and Sarah's beautiful illustrations, there's a lot to love about this book. I think we'd rather go to grandad's too.

No list would be complete without our final book, celebrating an awesome (and is it just me or rather fanciable) grandma who just happens to sometimes wear a pointy hat, sometimes weave the odd spell or two, and has a houseful of amazing creatures to keep her company...

Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble by Tracey Corderoy and Joe Berger. Bubblicious!

"Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble" and "Whizz Pop Granny Stop" by Tracey Corderoy and Joe Berger are truly fab and there's a third book on the way from this talented duo too. Granny isn't really like other grandparents, she dabbles with spells, and has all her witchy friends round for tea to cook up even more magical craziness. In "Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble" her young granddaughter wonders what things would be like if Granny was just an ordinary everyday septuagenerian like everyone else's granny. So she comes up with a plan to give Granny a fabulous makeover, and hide her wand for the day. Needless to say anyone can have an ordinary granny but not everyone can have a magical witchy one!

We'd love to hear your Grandma and Grandad book recommendations so please leave a comment below if you have some brilliant books that trumpet how wonderful and vital grandparents are.