• Age: 6 to 8
• Grade: 1 to 3
• Reading age: 6 to 8

★“Discusses illness and depression with gentleness that helps make the big feelings that can go with them less overwhelming. Touching and playful illustrations complement a story that handles themes of illness, depression, and aging with empathy and understanding.”—School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

A love of pie brings a young girl and her grandfather together through good times and bad in this moving story about connection and compassion.

Noor and Granddad love pie. Lemon meringue, blueberry crisp, chocolate cream...they have a pie for every occasion and spend a wonderful summer together trying each one. When vacation ends, Noor must say goodbye and fly home. But despite an ocean of distance between them, and Granddad's declining health, the pair continue to connect through their shared passion for pastry by meeting for video chats. These weekly pie reports let them chat about what's new and, of course, discuss and eat pie!

Then one day, Granddad doesn't log in. He's experiencing more blue days and doesn't feel like talking. Noor decides to write down her pie reports, holding space for Granddad until he feels ready.

This gentle story celebrates the special bond between a child and her grandparent and shows the lengths we can go to connect to our loved ones through distance and illness.

Hayley Lowe is a Canadian illustrator and storyteller. She enjoys exploring a range of media but is particularly drawn to pencil, charcoal and gouache—and a sprinkle of digital magic. In a previous chapter of her life, Hayley worked as a contemporary dancer and as a children’s yoga instructor, using storytelling as a tool to teach and ignite imaginations. She lives with her family in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Hayley Lowe's profile page

• Commended, Loan Stars Canadian Juvenile top 10 pick
• Commended, Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom

“Depicts an inspiring intergenerational bond between a girl and her grandfather. Noor’s character also demonstrates an empathetic and understanding way to go about supporting someone struggling with depression. Overall, Lowe shares a meaningful message making this book a must-have in every elementary school classroom and library.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“This upbeat, warmhearted tale bubbles with sweetness; children will appreciate the protagonists’ intergenerational bond as well as the food theme…A cozy read to share, especially with beloved older relatives.”

Kirkus Reviews

★“Discusses illness and depression with gentleness that helps make the big feelings that can go with them less overwhelming. Touching and playful illustrations complement a story that handles themes of illness, depression, and aging with empathy and understanding.”

School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

“Light hearted language and delicious descriptions show seasons and people changing and aging. A beautiful story to celebrate the bond and love between family and how to keep connection strong when distance and illness intervene.”

VancouverMom (VM)

“Emphasizes the connections between a child and grandparent who want to stay close across physical and emotional distances.”

BC BookWorld

“Warm and moving. It beautifully captures the deep emotional connections that can be formed around simple activities like baking…it also offers a chance to discuss cultural diversity through the different pies and the universal concepts of love and care that reach across generations. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials