Welcome back to Thoroughly Modern Mimis! Mimi, Grammy, Nana, GiGi, Oma, Grandma . . . they’re all terms of endearment for one of the most important roles in life’s second act: grandparenting. And what a grand act it is!

If you are a grandparent (or soon-to-be-mimi!), here are some books to add to your shelf!

 

Funny, You Don’t Look Like a Grandmother

by Lois Wyse

“A mother becomes a true grandmother the day she stops noticing the terrible things her children do because she is so enchanted with the wonderful things her grandchildren do.” — Lois Wyse

Here it is! A “grandmarvelous” feast of anecdotes, observations, poetry and prose that celebrates the glories of Grandmothering! An eight-time expert in the field, Lois Wyse explores with wit, warmth, and candor such weighty modern-day dilemmas as What to Name the Grandmother…How to Win the Granny Wars…and reveals the truth about that credit card-toting phenomenon Shopalong Cassidy-The Plastic Grandma. The perfect book for the Nana of today, it will make you laugh, it will make you cry…it will make you want to run out and buy something nice for your grandchild!

The Little Big Book for Grandmothers

by Lena Tabori

This is a charming book filled with fairy tales, poetry, nursery rhymes, song, stories, words of wisdom, activities, and recipes that are sure to enchant and delight. The Little Big Book for Grandmothers is brimming with many of the classic and favorite things grandmothers grew up with, and illustrated with charming vintage art she is sure to adore from artists such as Jessie Wilcox Smith and Kate Greenaway.
This packed anthology includes:

• 18 fairy tales such as The Little Mermaid, Thumbkin, Snow White and Rose Red, The Fisherman and His Wife, and Rapunzel
• 19 poems by e.e. cummings, Robert Frost, Ogden Nash, Shel Silverstein, and others
• 13 nursery rhymes including Goosey, Goosey, Gander, and Old Mother Hubbard
• 15 songs from “Polly Wolly Doodle” and “Billy Boy” to “Little Red Caboose” and “Baby Beluga”
• 26 finger games and old-fashioned games such as Grandma’s glasses and Tiddlywinks
• More than 30 activities from embroidery and making a family quilt, to Little Red Riding Hood Puppet Show and holiday activities
• More than 30 recipes
• Includes 100 full-color illustrations and 150 line illustrations

Courageous Grandparenting

by Cavin Harper (Read his “Call to Nanas and Papas” post here!)

Courageous Grandparenting is a call for grandparents and parents to rise above the conventional view of grandparenting to embrace radically courageous life that stands apart from the politically correct crowd. It’s a call to intentionality—not settling for simply being good parents and grandparents, but choosing to stand in the gap and live as conduits of grace and truth for the next generations. Cavin Harper appeals to the emerging masses of Boomer grandparents to create a movement of godly men and women resolved to not let another generation grow up on our watch that does not know the Lord or His amazing grace. There’s too much at stake if we don’t.

Memories for My Grandchild: A Keepsake to Remember

by Suzanne Zenkel

Don’t you wish your grandmother had written down her life story? Memories for My Grandchild: A Keepsake to Remember enables you to write down yours! Guided questions and prompts will help you tell your grandchildren (and great-grandchildren to come) all about your childhood and teen years; your education, love, and marriage; work, community, religion, military service; parenthood and family life; and, of course, grandparenthood! This guided journal memory book features.

Grandparenting with a Purpose

by Lillian Ann Penner

Maybe your grandchildren are living with you. Maybe they’re thousands of miles away. Their parents may be spiritually rebellious or simply neglectful of the family’s spiritual life, failing to make prayer and church attendance a regular part of their routine. But even if your grandchildren’s parents have established a strong Christian home, busy schedules, jobs, parenting, and all the distractions of today’s world conspire to distract or even destroy the family. How can you, as a grandparent, help?

Author Lillian Ann Penner provides specific examples of prayers to help you get started, such as alphabet prayers, prayers based on special scriptures, and prayers for certain holidays. You may even widen the circle, praying for other children in your life, for children who have parents in the military, and for the adults who infl uence your grandchildren. Regardless of how far away your grandchildren are, praying for them can bridge the distance between you and leave them with an inheritance more precious than gold.

The Gifts of Being Grand

by Marianne Richmond

The Gifts of Being Grand pays tribute to the special joys and rewards of grandparenthood.

Filled with wit and warmth, the book’s lyrical poetry and vibrant illustrations let “grown-up” moms and dads recall their parenting past, celebrate their own kids, and delight in the newfound gifts of grandparenthood.

From a “grand” new name and lots of hugs and kisses…to a second chance for patience, adventure and fun, The Gifts of Being Grand counts each gift as a reason to cherish this grand season of life!

The perfect gift to honor the seasoned grandparent or to enthuse the grandparent-to-be, The Gifts of Being Grand is a treasured reminder of how good it is to be grand!

How to Really Love Your Grandchild

by M.D. D. Ross Campbell

Grandparents and their grandchildren have always had a special bond, but living in a culture that has lost its moral compass, many parents are at a loss as to how to raise a child with moral values and a sense of decency, finding the adolescent years especially difficult. Within this vacuum, grandparents are becoming increasingly involved, and important, in providing the needed stability for their grandchildren. However, the culture in which grandparents find themselves is radically different from the one in which they were raised. In How to Really Love Your Grandchildren, Dr. D. Ross Campbell offers invaluable help and encouragement for all grandparents as they attempt to counter the unhealthy influences of our day and help provide direction and influence for their grandchildren. Topics covered include: helping your children in parenting, distance grandparenting, parenting grandkids, training children in anger management, making a critical difference in the area of discipline, giving grandchildren the love and security they crave, special needs grandkids and leaving a legacy of faith.

What is your favorite grandparenting book?

Share in the comment section for the chance to win a copy of Amish Wisdom for Your Family!  Congratulations to last week’s winner, PATSY H. Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com to claim your prize.

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