I Want You to Know Me. . . Love, Grandma and Grandpa

I Want You to Know Me. . . Love, Grandma and Grandpa by Vickie Mullins is a different type of legacy book. Instead of focusing on the past, as many keepsake journals do, Mullins' books are designed to record those little details about you that might be considered unimportant, but which are part of what makes each individual unique. If you've always wanted to create a legacy book, Mullins makes it easy. If you've already filled out the more traditional type of keepsake journal, add this one to the mix.

Don't buy this legacy book if you're interested in reminiscing about your childhood and sharing it with your grandchildren. Do buy it if you think that human beings are infinitely interesting. By the way, that's a point of view that your grandchildren are likely to share. My grandchildren have a limited tolerance for stories from my childhood, but they are always interested in seeing me roll my tongue and wiggle my ears!

Vickie Mullins was inspired to create the I Want You to Know Me series by a young mother's fight with cancer and her desire to leave her children something that would enable them to feel a connection with her after she was gone. Mullins made the decision to avoid childhood reminiscences because she realized that many people's childhoods contain memories that are painful rather than pleasant. The result is an approach that many will love but not all will appreciate. Here are a few of the questions posed in the Grandma/Grandpa version:

• Can you play a musical instrument?
• Have you ever been able to do a cartwheel?
• Are you shy or outgoing?
• What is your shoe size?

With only two questions per page, there's ample room for you to expand on your answers or include stories that are humorous or touching. Mullins' website suggests that your grandchildren sit with you as you answer the questions, to create an interesting dialogue. I'm doing mine one my own, but I'm saving a couple of questions to consult with them about. The series includes a version just for Grandma and one just for Grandpa, in case the dual approach doesn't work for your family.There are also versions for parents that would make good gifts for Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Mullins uses the wide margins of the pages for inspiring quotations and interesting facts, but don't expect a place to record your family tree. Do expect to occasionally be stumped by a question and to spend some time staring in the mirror, deciding how to describe your nose. And if that sounds like something a kid would do--well, that's the point.

See full list of grandparent keepsake books.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.