The Greatest

Starred review from June 10, 2024
Newbery Honoree Hiranandani’s picture book debut is a moving ode to family connection from the perspective of a grandfather who’s perceived as both
“the greatest” and “a simple, ordinary” person. The elderly man loves Sundays, when his three grandchildren come to visit—the pages highlight their interactions, the grandfather’s self-perception, and the grandchildren’s openhearted enthusiasm about their grandfather’s
artmaking, storytelling, and cooking. “Hardly the next Picasso,” he says in the face of his grandchildren’s appreciation; “thousands of storytellers mold the language better,” and “many chefs have
prepared better feasts.” As time passes, the quartet engages in the everyday as well as the seasonal—at Passover, the children see their grandfather as an important leader, while he knows that “he’s only leading the Seder the way his father taught him.” As the family builds a sukkah in autumn, the man wonders whether he should tell his grandchildren that he’s “just a regular old person,” then considers the nature of love’s reflection. Velvety watercolor and gouache illustrations by Stamper (Amazing Abe) capture the pale-skinned Jewish family’s warmth in this demonstrative work about the expansive strength of ordinary love. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Sara Crowe, Sara Crowe Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary.

July 1, 2024
A family loves to visit Grandpa every Sunday. The little ones are thrilled with everything he does, whether drawing cartoons, telling funny stories, creating silly games, or playing the piano. To them, he's magical--the best grandpa in the world. But modest Grandpa doesn't see himself as anyone special. After all, he's no Picasso, there are better storytellers, and Mozart has nothing to worry about. The children are impressed by his performance in leading the Passover seder, but he credits his own father with teaching him well. Maybe he should explain to them that he's just a regular person. But when they're all together, Grandpa truly feels like he's the greatest grandfather in the world. Their love and admiration for each other are unshakeable. Stamper's bright watercolor and gouache illustrations enhance the text with lovely touches. Each character displays delight and enthusiasm. The oldest grandchild is often separate from the group, engaging with various devices, but gradually joins the fun. Family members are tan-skinned, and further evidence of their Jewish culture appears in the form of a Hanukkah menorah and the backyard sukkah. Young readers and their grown-ups reading the book together will cheer for this loving grandfather. A joyous, sweet, and tender tale of intergenerational love. (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 An old man reflects on the pleasure he derives from Sunday visits with his three grandchildren. Each week when the kids arrive, they pursue simple but unmistakably engaging activities: creating art, telling funny stories, playing games, devouring corned-beef-on-rye sandwiches, singing songs, and building an outdoor shelter. Grandpa acknowledges he is a simple, ordinary man, but to his grandchildren, he is the greatest. Hiranandani's spare yet heartfelt text is recounted from Grandpa's perspective and spans a year's time. Although the text makes only passing mention of Judaism, the artwork (with scenes depicting a Hanukkah menorah, a Passover seder, and a sukkah) makes clear this is a Jewish family. Stamper's watercolor-and-gouache illustrations privilege pinks, purples, and greens, resulting in an upbeat tone well suited to the narrative. She often extends the story with details unmentioned in the text, including pictures of a woman who might be Grandma. An homage to the joyous bond between grandparents and grandchildren, this works as a read-aloud or for one-on-one sharing.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2024
A gentle third-person text shares a grandfather's thoughts about how the art he creates, the stories he tells, etc., for his grandchildren are nothing out of the ordinary -- but readers will likely arrive before he does at the conclusion that even if he told the kids he was just average, "it probably wouldn't matter." They'd still see him as "the greatest grandfather in the world." Richly hued watercolor-and-gouache illustrations are full of details about the family's life, including, along with the text, welcome references to their Jewish identity.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)