This Guy

Given that grandparents have been having it very tough these past months, it is the right time to celebrate their many wonders.

Here I’m kicking off a series of occasional posts on singularly splendid grannies and grandpas (or Nannies, Pops, Omas, Bampies, whatever names they go by…) There could be no one better to head the line-up than Izzy Gizmo’s Grandpa (Izzy Gizmo by Pip Jones, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, Simon & Schuster, 2017)) not least for his awe-inspiring style. Seriously, where can I get one of those shawl-collared cardies? 

Izzy is a hands-on young inventor and her Grandpa is a strong presence in her life. Sure, sometimes he might be snoring in his chair while she does her thing. But he comes to the fore when Izzy hits a wall, soothing her seething frustration with a calm hand on her shoulder.

He provides the timely words of faith and encouragement which stop her giving up: “I know you can do it. Just work out HOW!”

Grandpa gets it exactly right where a parent might fail (by either trying to be too involved or shutting down the whole messy endeavour).

This guy is gold.