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Grandad's Camper
Discover a wonderful grandfather-granddaughter relationship, as a little girl hatches the perfect plan to get her Grandad adventuring again.
Gramps and Grandad were adventurers. They would surf, climb mountains, and tour the country in their amazing camper. Gramps just made everything extra special. But after Gramps died, granddad hasn't felt like traveling anymore. So, their amazing granddaughter comes up with a clever plan to fix up the old camper and get Grandad excited to explore again.
This beautiful picture book honors love and reminds us not only to remember those we have lost, but to celebrate them.
Gramps and Grandad were adventurers. They would surf, climb mountains, and tour the country in their amazing camper. Gramps just made everything extra special. But after Gramps died, granddad hasn't felt like traveling anymore. So, their amazing granddaughter comes up with a clever plan to fix up the old camper and get Grandad excited to explore again.
This beautiful picture book honors love and reminds us not only to remember those we have lost, but to celebrate them.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
June 10, 2021
This is not a picture book--it is an emotional weapon. It should only be deployed when you want to SOB violently. I'm not joking. I was reading this out loud to my girlfriend and when we got to one line in particular we both turned to each other and burst into tears. It's a beautiful book but I cannot stress enough that if I read this to a child I would break down.
June 22, 2024
Grandad is having a fun visit with his granddaughter and dog reminiscing about his travels with Gramps. He shares about when Gramps was alive, that included all the travels they use to both have in their VW bus. She is mesmerized by all the stories, but also aware of both of their sadness at the loss of Gramps.
And then, Grandad shows his granddaughter that the VW bus of his is still parked in the garage.
Can it be possible that there may be one more camping trip they can experience together?
This is a colorful, scenic, sensitively told, and beautifully illustrated story that the author shares was inspired by a university dissertation which revealed a lack of representation for older LGBT characters in children’s books.
Reading Level: Ages 3 – 6 years – Grade Level – Pre-school – 1st Grade
And then, Grandad shows his granddaughter that the VW bus of his is still parked in the garage.
Can it be possible that there may be one more camping trip they can experience together?
This is a colorful, scenic, sensitively told, and beautifully illustrated story that the author shares was inspired by a university dissertation which revealed a lack of representation for older LGBT characters in children’s books.
Reading Level: Ages 3 – 6 years – Grade Level – Pre-school – 1st Grade
July 23, 2021
Good thing I’m no longer an elementary school librarian. If someone questioned this sweet read, I would probably punch them. To hell with offering a request for reconsideration form.
August 9, 2024
Very sweet:)
Didn't catch my attention as much as the first one but still enjoyed it.
Didn't catch my attention as much as the first one but still enjoyed it.
June 24, 2024
If you meet anyone who says picture books can’t have lbgtq themes in them, throw out of your life.
May 11, 2021
A deeply stunning, touching story in which grandad reminisces with his grandchild about his life of adventure with the late love of his life. Loved Woodgate's representation of older LGBTQ characters who lived full, happy lives together. Illustrations are whimsical and absolutely delightful!
October 21, 2022
According to the back cover, "Grandad's Camper is a heartwarming tale of family, loss, and love through the generations." I love that the energy, spontaneity, and enthusiasm of his granddaughter became the catalyst for Grandad to rediscover the places that he had loved to be with Gramps.
First she listened to Grandad's stories of their adventures together, then she realized they could go on their own adventure and became excited at the possibility. She helped move him forward as they went on a journey of rediscovery.
The illustrations are wonderfully bright and colorful. Harry Woodgate was inspired to write and illustrate this book after discovering through research and study at university, "a lack of representation for older LGBT characters in children's books."
First she listened to Grandad's stories of their adventures together, then she realized they could go on their own adventure and became excited at the possibility. She helped move him forward as they went on a journey of rediscovery.
The illustrations are wonderfully bright and colorful. Harry Woodgate was inspired to write and illustrate this book after discovering through research and study at university, "a lack of representation for older LGBT characters in children's books."
March 5, 2022
I used this book as my choice for my third year English assignment, so I spent a good while studying it and somehow am only just now adding it to my goodreads!
This is an absolutely beautiful book. It instantly made its way into my all times favourites folder, and even after writing a stupid amount of words on how it could be used in a primary classroom, I somehow still love it beyond words (an impressive achievement).
Grandad’s Camper is a colourful, inviting and deceivingly simple picturebook, telling the story of a young girl who goes to visit her Grandad. Whilst there she explores the house, picks fruit in the garden allotment, and plays hide and seek. Her favourite thing to do with Grandad, however, is to snuggle up on the sofa and be told stories of his adventures with his departed partner, Gramps. The story takes the reader through a heartwarming tale, watching a progression of old photos and memories of Grandad and Gramps together, and all the adventures they went on in their campervan. When asked why he doesn’t go on adventures anymore, Grandad tells his granddaughter that it’s just not the same without Gramps. But she has a very clever idea.
(Yes I may have stolen some of that from my assignment. It's been handed in now it's fine...)
What really draws me to this book as a queer teacher is the massive lack of queer elders in literature, but especially in children's literature. It's so nice to see such a high quality and gorgeously illustrated book with this kind or representation, and it was so much fun to go hunting for more to add to my supporting texts section. It wasn't so fun to barely find any, but the few I did find were great!
This is an absolutely beautiful book. It instantly made its way into my all times favourites folder, and even after writing a stupid amount of words on how it could be used in a primary classroom, I somehow still love it beyond words (an impressive achievement).
Grandad’s Camper is a colourful, inviting and deceivingly simple picturebook, telling the story of a young girl who goes to visit her Grandad. Whilst there she explores the house, picks fruit in the garden allotment, and plays hide and seek. Her favourite thing to do with Grandad, however, is to snuggle up on the sofa and be told stories of his adventures with his departed partner, Gramps. The story takes the reader through a heartwarming tale, watching a progression of old photos and memories of Grandad and Gramps together, and all the adventures they went on in their campervan. When asked why he doesn’t go on adventures anymore, Grandad tells his granddaughter that it’s just not the same without Gramps. But she has a very clever idea.
(Yes I may have stolen some of that from my assignment. It's been handed in now it's fine...)
What really draws me to this book as a queer teacher is the massive lack of queer elders in literature, but especially in children's literature. It's so nice to see such a high quality and gorgeously illustrated book with this kind or representation, and it was so much fun to go hunting for more to add to my supporting texts section. It wasn't so fun to barely find any, but the few I did find were great!
May 24, 2021
3.5 stars
A sweet story with solid LGBTQ representation, but I wanted a little more from the story than was here.
A sweet story with solid LGBTQ representation, but I wanted a little more from the story than was here.
February 8, 2022
Grandad’s Camper is a charming children’s picture book about a young girl and her Grandad. Whilst visiting her Grandad he reminisces about the years and fun he had in his camper van with his partner, the little girl’s Gramps.
The story has a comforting feel to it as Grandad shares his stories from visiting cities to sleeping by the beach in the couple’s beloved camper van, but now that his partner has gone the camper is stored away.
It is delightful to share in the memories of the good times the couple had and emphasises that love is what matters in this world, no matter the colour of our skin or our gender. I love the beautiful, full-page illustrations that adorn each page and bring the past and present to life.
A tender journey told via the power of storytelling. This is an amazing book that was very heartfelt.
The story has a comforting feel to it as Grandad shares his stories from visiting cities to sleeping by the beach in the couple’s beloved camper van, but now that his partner has gone the camper is stored away.
It is delightful to share in the memories of the good times the couple had and emphasises that love is what matters in this world, no matter the colour of our skin or our gender. I love the beautiful, full-page illustrations that adorn each page and bring the past and present to life.
A tender journey told via the power of storytelling. This is an amazing book that was very heartfelt.
November 24, 2023
I ❤️ Granddad and Gramps
November 27, 2023
So wholesome and fun! A touching story with adorable illustrations. Queer elders are rare representation, so this is amazing.
August 29, 2023
Milly and her Granddad spend time together reminiscing about Grandad and Gramps who explored the world together before Gramps died. A beautiful tale of an older gay man and his inquisitive granddaughter who gets him to share his life story of his love for her other grandfather, and his husband.
April 16, 2021
I was drawn the this book when I saw the cover on Instagram! So cute!
"Grandad's Camper" shows the love of an intergenerational family. It's a story focusing on companionship and traveling. Every summer, the granddaughter visits her grandad's cottage by the see and they have a great time playing a sharing stories. Grandad shares the stories of his travels and adventures with Gramps, who as passed away. When the granddaughter finds out the reason he doesn't travel any more, she suggests they revive the old camper and go on a new adventure together.
The colors and sweet illustrations bring this story to life. I love that it's OwnVoices, but also completely incidental in its diversity - there is no mention of the granddaughter having a different skin color from her grandad, or that Gramps and Grandad were both men.
Even more the love is that they author's states purpose with this book is to begin to fill in the "lack of older LGBTQ characters in children's books." Woodgate shows an older man who seems to have lived a very full life with his partner, and even the fact that Gramps is no longer around isn't that sad, compared to they way their life together was lived (think Carl and Ellie's relationship in "Up")!
This book is a partnership between GLAAD and Little Bee Books, and portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book are donated to "accelerating LGBTQ acceptance."
"Grandad's Camper" shows the love of an intergenerational family. It's a story focusing on companionship and traveling. Every summer, the granddaughter visits her grandad's cottage by the see and they have a great time playing a sharing stories. Grandad shares the stories of his travels and adventures with Gramps, who as passed away. When the granddaughter finds out the reason he doesn't travel any more, she suggests they revive the old camper and go on a new adventure together.
The colors and sweet illustrations bring this story to life. I love that it's OwnVoices, but also completely incidental in its diversity - there is no mention of the granddaughter having a different skin color from her grandad, or that Gramps and Grandad were both men.
Even more the love is that they author's states purpose with this book is to begin to fill in the "lack of older LGBTQ characters in children's books." Woodgate shows an older man who seems to have lived a very full life with his partner, and even the fact that Gramps is no longer around isn't that sad, compared to they way their life together was lived (think Carl and Ellie's relationship in "Up")!
This book is a partnership between GLAAD and Little Bee Books, and portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book are donated to "accelerating LGBTQ acceptance."
November 24, 2023
This is so beautiful 😭💙
May 28, 2022
crying. absolutely crying. i love this book so much, i love seeing queer representation in children’s media <3
August 21, 2022
I'M SOBBING!!!
November 17, 2022
i am fucking SOBBING oh my god. the art work. jesus christ it is so beautiful. i never thought i’d review a kids book on here but lord it is amazing. please show this to every child like ever
August 4, 2021
A touching story of an African American girl, her White grandfather, and so much more. Be prepared for lots of discussion and maybe even a little push back from uptight parents. It is this month's Mock Caldecott book. Lovely illustrations. It deserves to be a contender.
May 10, 2022
This fiction book is adorable. It shares the story of two characters, a little girl and her grandad. Together, they reminisce about when Gramps was still alive and all of the adventures that Grandad and Gramps would go on together in their camper van. The colorful illustrations of this book go from endpaper to endpaper. This Stonewall Award-winning post-modern picture book is one that you need to pick up.
July 19, 2021
A heartwarming family story. After Gramps passed away, Grandad hasn't used the camper van the traveled the world and adventured in. When his granddaughter visits and listens to his memories again, she encourages him to get it out and they fix it up together and go camp at the beach like Grandad did when he first met Gramps. A lovely connection. I appreciate that the author says the idea for this book came out of his University dissertation about the lack of older LGBT characters in picture books.
Add to text sets/displays of picture books about grandparents, loss, or Pride.
Add to text sets/displays of picture books about grandparents, loss, or Pride.
December 29, 2021
This was a super sweet book that features older-generation LGBTQ men who created a family, through the eyes of a grandchild after the death of one of her grandparents. The artwork is beautiful and emotionally evocative, the story's pacing gentle. A worthy addition to any picture book collection.
July 12, 2021
Utterly shocked!
September 24, 2021
If this book doesn't bring tears to your eyes, I am not sure how else to help you.
January 19, 2022
You guys. THIS BOOK. I cried through the whole thing. What great representation!
April 7, 2021
Grandad’s Camper follows a young girl who loves to visit her grandad’s cottage every summer, listening to stories of his travels with Gramps. Grandad doesn’t travel much since Gramps passed away, but that’s all about to change, as our young narrator encourages Grandad to dust off his old camper and get back on the road.
I have never seen a children’s book handle grief in such a beautiful way. There is no sorrow here. This book contains only joy, love, and a celebration of Grandad’s life with Gramps as his granddaughter encourages him to follow his passion for exploring in a new way after losing his husband.
As a queer person, I am so grateful to see a long, joyful, queer future represented in this book. Growing up, I never saw my queer identity on the pages of the books I read. I didn’t have a name for what I was, much less a future attached to it. I’m so proud that my child will have books like this on his shelf so he will know that queer books can be more than just a lesson, but an authentic look into someone’s full experience as a human.
I honestly love everything about this book, especially the illustrations. They capture Grandad’s and Gramps’ travels so beautifully and really bring life to their story.
Harry Woodgate is an award-winning illustrator who found the inspiration to write Grandad’s Camper after their university dissertation revealed a lack of older LBGTQ+ representation in children’s literature. To learn more about Harry and their work, please visit their website at harrywoodgate.com.
This book is a part of a partnership between Little Bee Book and GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ+ acceptance through children’s literature. To learn more about this partnership and other LBGTQ+ books, you can visit glaad.org and littlebeebooks.com.
I would also like to thank Little Bee Books for generously providing me with a review copy of Grandad’s Camper. I know I will be reading this wonderful book to my little one for years to come.
I have never seen a children’s book handle grief in such a beautiful way. There is no sorrow here. This book contains only joy, love, and a celebration of Grandad’s life with Gramps as his granddaughter encourages him to follow his passion for exploring in a new way after losing his husband.
As a queer person, I am so grateful to see a long, joyful, queer future represented in this book. Growing up, I never saw my queer identity on the pages of the books I read. I didn’t have a name for what I was, much less a future attached to it. I’m so proud that my child will have books like this on his shelf so he will know that queer books can be more than just a lesson, but an authentic look into someone’s full experience as a human.
I honestly love everything about this book, especially the illustrations. They capture Grandad’s and Gramps’ travels so beautifully and really bring life to their story.
Harry Woodgate is an award-winning illustrator who found the inspiration to write Grandad’s Camper after their university dissertation revealed a lack of older LBGTQ+ representation in children’s literature. To learn more about Harry and their work, please visit their website at harrywoodgate.com.
This book is a part of a partnership between Little Bee Book and GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ+ acceptance through children’s literature. To learn more about this partnership and other LBGTQ+ books, you can visit glaad.org and littlebeebooks.com.
I would also like to thank Little Bee Books for generously providing me with a review copy of Grandad’s Camper. I know I will be reading this wonderful book to my little one for years to come.
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April 25, 2022
“Charming” is a bit deceptive as an adjective, and using it here is not meant to damn the book with faint praise: it is a subtle expression of loss seen through the eyes of a little girl and her relationship with her grandad. As Grandad reminisces about the partner he lost she thinks about the camper van and how to bring precious memories to life.
The wonderful thing is that we are not told a moralistic story about the two grandfathers, and the little girl just accepts that grandad’s partner was a man; it just works as a story about memory and loss.
Bravo.
The wonderful thing is that we are not told a moralistic story about the two grandfathers, and the little girl just accepts that grandad’s partner was a man; it just works as a story about memory and loss.
Bravo.
May 29, 2022
One little girl loves to hear about Grandad's adventures with Gramps. Gramps has passed away. Grandad tells her stories of their travels in their pink and white camper van.
Why doesn't Grandad go on adventures anymore? Can she convince him to make new travel stories? What about the Camper?
A celebration of love, loss, coping, family, and one of the few RARE books that showcases older LGBTQ peoples in Children's books. #OwnVoices author and illustrator Harry Woodgate gives us a new story and a promise that the journey is never over, as long as there is love.
Why doesn't Grandad go on adventures anymore? Can she convince him to make new travel stories? What about the Camper?
A celebration of love, loss, coping, family, and one of the few RARE books that showcases older LGBTQ peoples in Children's books. #OwnVoices author and illustrator Harry Woodgate gives us a new story and a promise that the journey is never over, as long as there is love.
November 15, 2022
This book hits all the right notes with the inter-generational relationship, rainbow family, sense of nostalgia and adventure.
There's family, loss and a camper van full of love in this book. Be warned, I did become a little misty eyed reading this! Also, fair warning, my kid is now begging for a camper holiday at the beach...
The illustrations are absolutely stunning - so vibrant, varied and inspiring of wanderlust. And wow, those endpapers!
Comforting and tender, it's beautiful to see an older LGBTQ relationship represented in kid's literature.
There's family, loss and a camper van full of love in this book. Be warned, I did become a little misty eyed reading this! Also, fair warning, my kid is now begging for a camper holiday at the beach...
The illustrations are absolutely stunning - so vibrant, varied and inspiring of wanderlust. And wow, those endpapers!
Comforting and tender, it's beautiful to see an older LGBTQ relationship represented in kid's literature.
February 13, 2022
First of all, the illustrations within this book are STUNNING! The story within is equally as beautiful. Grandad and Gramps used to love travelling the world and seeing new things together. Their granddaughter loves to re - live their memories through the photos grandad keeps. A story to promote lots of great talk, handling different themes are topics.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews