
Reach for this book when your child starts comparing your family to others or expresses embarrassment about a family member's unique quirks. It is a gentle, humorous tool for navigating the social pressure to be normal and the realization that what makes our loved ones different is often what makes them special. The story follows a young girl who asks her magical grandmother to act like a typical grandma, only to find that a normal life is surprisingly dull. This story is perfect for children aged 3 to 7 who are beginning to navigate peer groups and social norms. It validates the desire to fit in while ultimately celebrating the joy of an unconventional home life. Parents will appreciate how it frames the conversation around gratitude and the love that exists behind a family's eccentricities.
The book deals with identity and social embarrassment. The approach is metaphorical, using magic and witchcraft as a stand-in for any family trait that might be perceived as weird. It is secular and the resolution is hopeful and celebratory.
A 5 or 6 year old child who has recently noticed that their family does things differently than their friends and is struggling with the desire to fit in. It is especially good for children with highly creative or eccentric relatives.
The book can be read cold. It is a straightforward picture book with clear illustrations that support the text. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, Why can't you be more like Sarah's mom? or noticing their child acting shy about their home life in front of peers.
3 to 4 year olds will focus on the fun fantasy elements like the bats and the flying car. 6 to 7 year olds will more deeply understand the social dynamics of embarrassment and the lesson about being careful what you wish for.
While many books tackle being different, this one focuses specifically on the child's perspective of a relative's differences. It uses the fantasy genre to make the concept of social embarrassment accessible and non-threatening.
A young girl loves her grandmother but feels embarrassed by her witchy eccentricities, like her pointy hat, her collection of frogs and bats, and her flying car. She asks Granny to try being normalish for a day. Granny complies, trading her magic for knitting and her flying car for a bicycle. However, the girl quickly realizes that a normal grandmother is boring and that she misses the adventure and unique magic of her real Granny. They eventually embrace their quirky lifestyle together.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review