Grandpa's 14 Games Book Review

Grandpa's 14 Games 
Written by Zhao Ling
Illustrated by Huang Lili
Expected publication: October 2020 from Cardinal Media

When a little girl's doctor parents leave to fight the coronavirus, her grandfather takes care of her. He invents a new make-believe scenario each day for the girl to transform herself into the heroes treating the ill and seeking a vaccine. The little girl misses her parents, but has fun with her grandfather as they play pretend for 2 weeks: delivering groceries wearing fairy wings, transporting medical supplies with her toy helicopter, and teaching children from atop a flying kite. Throughout the fun, however, the girl misses her parents and even sees her grandfather cry.

In the end, the girl and her grandfather step outside and see a cherry tree blossoming. Beneath this sign of new life, the girl learns why her grandpa has played only indoors with her and why they have watched first responders around their apartment building. Before the story began, a resident in her building had contracted the virus; the building went on lockdown. The girl at first freezes in fear of this news, but with her grandfather's help, she recognizes the care and protection she and her neighbors have received from so many sources. Grandpa's 14 Games is a powerful example of strength and love in time of crisis. 

T is well aware of the coronavirus and is fed up with staying away from friends. Grandpa's 14 Games is a book that can open the door for conversation. Whether it's validating a child's experience, inspiring a change in your own quarantine routine, or facilitating conversation, Grandpa's 14 Games offers something for children and adults alike.

Son's Review
(Age: 5)
I like it.
[As soon as we finished reading it, he wanted me to read it again.]

How T felt while reading:
I felt all the feelings – happy and sad. I didn't feel too sad about the book. The sad was about the coronavirus and that she couldn't see her mom and dad. And the happy was that she could see her grandpa though.

What it makes T think about:
The coronavirus ending.

What people should know:
That it has 14 games. Like there are 14 days and each day the girl pretends to be something.

When you should read it:
During the coronavirus or a big sickness because it's about coronavirus.