• Age: 3 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 3 to 5

When there are seven grandparents but only one Silas, is there enough of him to go around?

Each of Silas' grandparents are unique. They take him to amusement parks, or museums, dog shows or camping. But when Silas' parents go away on a business trip, all seven grandparents invite Silas to stay with them. One Silas can't be with seven different grandparents at the same time! How can he choose one without hurting the others' feelings?
Silas' Seven Grandparents is a fun and loving story about having multiple sets of grandparents and stepgrandparents as a result of divorce and remarriage. Silas' grandparents enjoy exposing him to a variety of interests, values and cultures. But problems arise when Silas feels he can't be everywhere at once. In the end, it's Silas' sensitive, inclusive nature that brings everyone together.

Anita Horrocks was born in The Pas, Manitoba, and grew up in Winkler, a small Mennonite community on the prairies of southern Manitoba. After high school she moved to Alberta, where she earned diplomas in Ecological Sciences and later, Print Journalism. She worked digging for dinosaur fossils, as a park interpreter and as a freelance writer before becoming public relations co-ordinator for the University of Lethbridge. She lives in Lethbridge with her husband, Bryan.

Anita Horrocks' profile page

Helen Flook was born and grew up in the beautiful countryside of Wales. She always loved to draw, but never imagined that one day she would be drawing for a living - what a great job! Art was always her favourite subject at school. She went on to do an Art Foundation Course and then a Degree in Graphic Design at Norwich School of Art and absolutely loved it!
Over the next few years, Helen worked as an excavator and illustrator on a number of archaeological digs in Britain, France and Germany. She also worked for The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - another great job, satisfying her interest in nature and wildlife.
In 1995, she moved with her husband and son to Canada. They lived in Guelph, Ontario for ten years learning all about hockey, real winters and what it was like to live somewhere completely different. She was published in a number of national newspapers and magazines in Canada, but eventually returned to her greatest love--children's books. She has been fortunate enough to be asked to illustrate books by some tremendous children's authors, both in North America and Britain.
In 2005, Helen and her family returned to Wales and she now lives and works from a beautiful village called Abergwyngregyn. Most of her work is produced using acrylic inks, which have lovely bright strong colours. Though she does occasionally try out watercolours and coloured pencils, pen and ink drawing is her favourite.
Ten Things You didn't know about Helen Flook~
1 - I love Tin Tin and Asterix books and collect old Rupert Bear annuals.
2 - I cannot exist without tea (preferably Ceylon)
3 - I was once a frog in a school play
4 -I have a cat with no name (he was the stray who came in from the cold)
5- I have met Paul Hendersen and seen the Queen
6- I once lived in a haunted manor house with a moat
7 - I have been up in a glider plane once - it made me airsick especially when we looped the loop.
8 - I think my favourite colour is red, though I quite like blue too.
9 - I love Christmas - except the cooking bit
10 - I have walked to the top of Snowdon (the highest mountain in England and Wales) four times

 

Helen Flook's profile page

Christian Down is a producer, musician and voice actor from Victoria, British Columbia.

 

Christian Down's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books starred selection
• Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
• Commended, Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year
• Commended, OLA Best Bets
• Commended, Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets

"Fills a much-needed niche in that it addresses the fact that all families look different. It is also a celebration of these differences. Recommended."

CM Magazine

"An unusual grandparent story told with humor—not at all sentimental and introducing the variations on family configurations. Recommended."

Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative

"An intergenerational story with a lot of heart."

Kirkus Reviews

&quotA good jump off point to discuss the many different forms of family. Silas' final idea is cute.&quot

Kiss the Book blog

Flook's illustrations give wonderful personalities to all of the grandparents and are filled with many interesting details that kids will enjoy spotting and commenting upon. A lovely story for grandparents and grandchildren to share.

School Library Journal

"This cute story will cause students to wonder how one boy can have seven grandparents, but this situation can also be turned into a teachable moment...Anita Horrocks writes of a very loving family situation. Helen Flook's illustrations are bright and colorful, warmly complementing this family story...Recommended."

Library Media Connection

"[A] great picture book, not only because it is a fun story to read, but because it teaches kids about a different set of family dynamics…The end of this book is super cute, and it's guaranteed to touch the hearts of all readers, big and small."

Lethbridge Living Magazine

"The deftly drawn water-based ink illustrations reflect the story's upbeat tone and portray the widely diverse grandparents in ways that make them distinctive. A refreshing alternative to the many overly sentimental picture books about children and their grandparents."

Booklist

"Done in acrylic ink, the lively cartoon art is bright and unassuming. The cast of characters is subtly multicultural but their ethnic diversity is presented in a matter-of-fact way. This is a positive story about love and family to share one-on-one with grandparents, no matter how many there are."

School Library Journal

"Really entertaining...It also teaches children about decision making and family life."

BookLinx

"The grandparents themselves are portrayed with joy and great variety, not only in stature and demeanor but ethnicity as well. This is simply a delightful celebration of family."

Puget Sound Council

"This book really shines in the depiction of Silas' grandparents. Not only are they active and passionate about life they are also extremely diverse: Most are in couples, but one is single; they have a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds; and they range from moderately grey to notably wrinkled. This is a book with detailed, colourful illustrations and a story that values inclusiveness."

Resource Links

"Silas's conflict is wholly relatable, and readers will enjoy, vicariously, all the doting, shown in carefree acrylic-ink illustrations."

The Horn Book Guide