The Little Big Book for Grandfathers - A Super Grandfather Gift

The Little Big Books are thoughtful compilations designed for a particular audience, in this case, grandfathers. The look is vintage, and so is much of the material, such as fairy tales, Aesop's fables and nursery rhymes. The illustrations are mainly classics by artists such as Jessie Willcox Smith. The vintage selections are balanced with some newer pieces that maintain the high literary quality. The book also features recipes and suggestions for things to make and do. This is a super grandfather gift. Consider pairing it with The Little Big Book for Grandmothers to create a winning combination.

In the foreword to this book, Editor Alice Wong explains why readers expressed a desire for such a book--that it is grandfathers who spend large chunks of time with the grandchildren while the grandmothers cook. "My children and nephew are always off with Granddad looking for bugs and bird nests, hammering and building, digging for potatoes or roasting nuts for dinner and snacks. . . ." Wong says. Wong's children are fortunate to have such a grandfather, and grandfathers like him are fortunate to have The Little Big Book for Grandfathers, which contains fresh fodder in case they ever run out of ideas for things to do with the grandchildren.

Besides sixteen activities, the book also contains tons of old-fashioned stories, fables, tall tales, songs and poems. And just to prove that Grandmother's not the only one in the kitchen, there are also over 30 recipes.

Here's a small sample of the contents:

• An excerpt from Kipling's The Jungle Book
• "Pecos Bill Rides Again"
• "Br'er Rabbit Outfoxes Br'er Fox"
• Directions for making "The Best Tree Swing Ever"
• "Camptown Races"
• "Surprise!" by Shel Silverstein
• Recipes for "Simple Camp Cooking"

Over 100 selections pack this 350-page book. There are also pages of jokes and eight pages of "Grandfather Wisdom," including gems such as Thomas Edison's, "Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits."

The line of Little Big Books had its genesis in 2000 with The Little Big Book for Moms. The series now has over two dozen titles, including variations such as The Little Big Book for Brides and The Little Big Book of Roses.