• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

'This is a delightful story of a small boy and his two contrasting grandmothers. One is an active, sports-minded exercise nut who has no idea where the kitchen is. The other is a plump, motherly creature who is content to bake chocolate chip cookies topped with melted chocolate. The boy spends one weekend playing catch and working out with slim, athletic grandma and the next baking and eating with sedentary grandma. Life continues this way until athletic grandma falls off her skateboard and sedentary grandma is told by her doctor that she must get exercise. The two grandmas set out fearfully to change their lifestyles, supported and encouraged by their grandson. A major conversion takes place and each grandma literally becomes the other!

Carol Malyon
Carol Malyon is the author of four novels, a collection of short fiction and several books of poetry. Her first short story collection, The Edge of the World (1991) was short-listed for the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize for Best First Book of Fiction, and her novel If I Knew I’d Tell You (1995) was short-listed for the SmithBooks / Books in Canada First Novel Award.

bill bissett
bill bissett’s charged readings, which never fail to amaze his audiences, incorporate sound poetry, chanting and singing, the verve of which is only matched by his prolific writing career?over 70 books of bissett’s poetry have been published. Whether paying tribute to his hometown lunaria or exercising his native tongue dissent, bissett continues to dance upon the cutting edge of poetics and performance works.

Carol Malyon's profile page

'The clear, large print text of Toronto bookstore-owner-writer Carol Malyon is complemented by the caricature water colours of artist-illustrator David Peacock.

'This story will appeal to young children who delight in the absurd but will be of specific interest to pre-schoolers and kindergarten age children. The realistic dialogue, smooth use of repetition and humourous situation make Mixed-Up Grandmas a touching read-aloud story to share with groups or individual children.'

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'Witty language and wacky illustrations combine to make this a clever story for grandmas of every persuasion.'

Today's Grandparent

'Although sharing is a much bludgeoned theme in many children's books, this story has a neat twist for young readers because the adults are taught to share by a wise little child. The two very different kinds of grandmothers are also a pleasant break from tradition. Recommended.'

Canadian Book Review Annual