Picture Books: Grandparents and Multigenerational Life

Intergenerational learning can help us broaden our understanding of the world and help us see that we have a lot in common with one another. In Indigenous communities, Elders, grandparents, and older community members are highly respected people who all play a part in ensuring traditional knowledge passes on and continues to live within future generations.

Elders include those who have been recognized by their community for their experience and knowledge, who offer guidance and teachings based on this knowledge to their communities. Grandparents and older family or community members often expect to serve as Elders, knowledge keepers, and mentors who aim to teach cultural practices and traditions. While learning from older community members is important for the endurance of our Indigenous communities and cultures, we can all learn a lot from the younger generations as well.

In this list, you will find a number of books that touch on various aspects of a child’s relationship with their grandparents, Elders, and older community members.

Book cover of A Day with Yayah

A Day With Yayah

Author

Nicola Campbell (Nlaka’pamux, Syilx/Interior Salish, and Métis)

Illustrator

Julie Flett (Cree-Métis)

Summary

Set in the Nicola Valley, British Columbia, in Canada’s westernmost province, a First Nations family goes on an outing to forage for herbs and mushrooms. Joined by Auntie Karen, Grand-uncle Chester, and Grand-auntie Susan, a grandmother—Yayah in their Indigenous language—helps her grandchildren learn and forage the plants that appear in the spring, thankful to Creator for feeding their family. Along the way, Yayah also teaches the children Nlaka’pamux words, providing pronunciation help within the text in addition to the glossary at the back of the book.

Illustrated by Flett, Campbell has Yayah talk about various plants, including how they can be used and prepared, while also sharing Nlaka’pamux words multiple times throughout, giving the reader numerous chances to practice each one.

Just Like Grandma

Author

Kim Rogers (Wichita and Affiliated Tribes)

Illustrator

Julie Flett (Cree-Métis)

Summary

Becca loves spending time with Grandma. Every time Becca says, “Let me try,” Grandma shows her how to make something beautiful. Whether they are beading moccasins, dancing like the most beautiful butterflies, or practicing basketball together, Becca knows that, more than anything, she wants to be just like Grandma. But Grandma is also learning from Becca. And Grandpa is there throughout taking care of them while they all learn together.

Book cover of Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know

Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know

Author

Brittany Luby (Anishinaabe-kwe)

Illustrator

Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Anishinaabe)

Summary

How do we know when summer is here? Come along and grandmother will teach you. Readers will learn alongside the protagonist as grandmother shows us how to recognize nature telling us of the changing seasons. In this lyrical story-poem, written in Anishanaabemowin and English, a child and grandmother explore their surroundings, taking pleasure in the familiar sights that each new season brings.

Book cover of On the Trapline

On the Trapline

Author

David A. Robertson (Norway House Cree)

Illustrator

Julie Flett (Cree-Métis)

Summary

A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom and learn what life was like there when Moshom was younger. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, “Is this your trapline?” Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago—a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a story about memory, imagination and intergenerational connection that captures the experience of a young child’s wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family.

Book cover of Trudy’s Rock Story

Trudy’s Rock Story

Author

Trudy Spiller (Gitxsan Nation)

Illustrator

Jessika von Innerebner

Summary

When a young girl from the Gitxsan Nation argues with her brother, she remembers the teachings of her grandmother, a Knowledge Keeper. The young girl goes in search of a stone to share her feelings with. This story teaches children that it is okay to have feelings and shows them how to process and release negative thoughts.

Conclusion

Our grandparents, Elders, and older community members help connect us to our past and teach us traditional knowledge. While young people can learn a lot from our older community members, so too can older community members learn a lot from our young people. Intergenerational learning reinforces skills such as respect, patience, empathy and social skills in young people. It is also important in ensuring our cultures and traditions live on.

A headshot of author and artist Jillian Metchooyeah

About the Author

Jillian Metchooyeah

Jillian Metchooyeah is an Indigenous Canadian author/artist. She is a member of the Dene Tha’ First Nation from northern Alberta, Canada. An avid library lover, she has worked in a library for over half of her life. She currently lives in Red Deer, Alberta with her two cats and hedgehog. She loves birds and all things nature.