The Care and Keeping of Grandmas

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 narrated by an enthusiastic grandchild. “In their usual habitats,” the child begins, taking the tone of a nature documentary, “you might find grandmas baking, gardening, rug hooking, parasailing and bungee jumping.... One day, your grandma may leave her home—for yours!” When the protagonist’s grandmother does just that, the grandchild takes over, facilitating the transition with granular attentiveness. The eagar narration reads as mild—“I kept her company whenever she needed some quiet time”—though Ling Kang’s expressive watercolor-and-ink-style illustrations convey Grandma’s gentle side-eye as the ever-present child perches unceasingly alongside her. While the text retains its caretaking tone (“I fed my grandma regularly”), light-stippled wash images from Ling Kang show the two finding their way, as in a spread of the child playing an instrument while Grandma wears headphones. It’s a homey, humorous take on two figures establishing routines in a shared habitat. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)