• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

When grandma moves in, a precocious child shares her tips for making her feel at home in this funny picture book, for fans of How to Babysit a Grandma.

It can be discombobulating for all involved when a grandma moves in permanently. Fortunately, our narrator has gone through it and has LOTS of tips on how to make your grandma feel at home.

In a story filled with humor, confusion and moments of sweetness, Jennifer Mook-Sang introduces us to a delightful family dynamic and a grandma who doesn’t really need the help settling in but appreciates it anyway. As Grandma goes about her days, her well-meaning granddaughter sees her caring for her plants, and makes sure that Grandma is getting the proper care too.

JENNIFER MOOK-SANG lives and writes (while chuckling to herself) with her husband and two sons in Burlington, Ontario. She has a master’s degree in psychology and has worked with children of all ages in health and educational settings. She has volunteered as a reading coach and co-ordinator for literacy programs in local schools. Jennifer was a finalist in the Writing for Children Competition 2014 sponsored by CANSCAIP and The Writer’s Union of Canada. Speechless is her first novel.

Jennifer Mook-Sang's profile page

YONG LING KANG is an illustrator who grew up in Singapore and is now based in Toronto, Ontario. She is fascinated by storytelling, and has honed her craft through picture books, Manga, cartoons, and formal schooling in an animation program. She has illustrated several picture books, including The Midnight Club, This House Is Home, and William's Getaway.

Yong Ling Kang's profile page

"This specific story of a household gaining a new member is told in a broadly applicable way that will feel familiar to many families. Warmth and love shine through this tale of intergenerational bonding." —Kirkus Reviews
"Immediately establishing a tongue-in-cheek tone, Mook-Sang’s wry take on how an East Asian-presenting family adjusts when Grandma moves in is . . . a homey, humorous take on two figures establishing routines in a shared habitat." —Publishers Weekly

"The light, airy illustrations perfectly capture the bits of life that unfold on the page, and the often unspoken but tender care the unnamed protagonist takes with her grandmother is heartwarming and evocative of how so many young ones view their roles when a new person moves into the home." —School Library Journal

"[F]ull of ironic, humorous moments, both in the text and the illustrations. . . . The Care and Keeping of Grandmas will appeal to families and will be especially useful for those with relatives making that transition." —CM Reviews
"[A] moving depiction of the unique relationship of elderly grandparents to their youngest family members. The minimalist text demonstrates how sometimes words are barely necessary." —Imaginary Elevators
"The Care and Keeping of Grandmas does a great job explaining to children how grandmas need time to adjust when moving to a new place. . . . [A] heartfelt reminder that our elderly deserve just as much love and care as anyone else." —Young Adulting
"The Care and Keeping of Grandmas is truly a heartfelt and beautiful story with just a dash of humor along the way. . . . [It] can be hard to adjust in a multi-generational home. But with some love, patience and a bit of care, it is truly possible to make it work." —Momma Braga
"You can't do better than reading along with the narrator of this warm and engaging tale about a young girl who puts her heart into making Grandma comfy in her new home. . . . [E]nchanting ink and watercolour pictures by illustrator Yong Ling Kang provide unusual depth to this picture book.” —Oakville News
"[This] book offers a sweet, gentle primer on how to deal with the sudden arrival of a grandparent into the family midst." —Quill & Quire
"[E]xplores multigenerational families using a mix of humour and heart-warming sweetness." —Quebec Library Association