Groovy Granny
Cate Haynes
Shane Tholen

Fremantle Arts Centre Press 2003
32pp., pbk., $14.95
1863683321

This is a fun picture book with a bit of a moral to it. Granny has always been a fun person for the grandchildren to visit – until her house burns down.

The children could dance in the rain, swim at midnight and have ice-cream for breakfast. But after the fire, Granny is miserable and things just aren’t the same. Granny cheers up when an old friend comes to visit.

This is a great, fun story about family, friendship. It has lovely bright illustrations which children will want to look at. It would suit children aged about 5 to 10 years of age and I give it 4 stars out of five.

Max, 9 years, Flinders NSW

Granny was groovy. Granny was not like all the other grannies you read about in story books. She liked to dance the polka naked on the roof in the rain, and play loud tuens on the piano.

But one night something terrible happens. Granny's house burned down and it seemed like her whole world went with it. Because Granny changed. She was just like all the other grannies now. She was old and cold and cranky and sad.

Until Willemina Funnywood came to town.

I really enjoyed this book because I have a groovy granny too and we do all sorts of fun things together. My favorite is making a tent with blankets across two chairs and having a pretend sleepout.. I know when I grow up to be a granny I won't be cranky and old.

I liked the pictures because they really showed all the things that granny would do. Each time you look at them you see somoething new. I give it five out of five.

Anilya, 11, Perth