William and the Good Old Days

William sits on his front steps thinking about his grandmother, who is in the hospital. He recalls memories of how things used to be before she became ill, remembering the activities they shared and the way she took care of their family. Through William's reflections, the story moves between past and present as he processes his feelings about his grandmother's condition. His memories paint a picture of their close relationship and their daily life together. The illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist blend with the text to capture both William's current reality and his cherished memories. The artwork shifts between muted and vibrant tones to distinguish between different time periods. This gentle story explores themes of family bonds, the passage of time, and how children cope with changes in their loved ones' health. The narrative provides a window into how young people process difficult emotions through memory and reflection.

Readers appreciate how the book handles grief and family memories through a child's perspective. Parents and teachers note it helps children process feelings about losing grandparents. Several reviews mention the realistic portrayal of an African American family's relationships. The illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist receive frequent praise for their warmth and detail. A librarian on Goodreads highlighted how the "soft watercolors capture both present moments and remembered scenes." Some readers found the pacing slow and noted younger children had trouble following the transitions between present day and memories. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (82 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (12 ratings) Sample review quotes: "Perfect for helping my 6-year-old understand why grandma isn't the same as she remembers" - Amazon reviewer "The story meanders a bit too much for my preschool students" - Teacher on Goodreads "Beautiful way to discuss aging and memory with kids" - School Library Journal review

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña A young boy's bus ride with his grandmother teaches him to notice life's connections and find beauty in his urban community.

These Hands by Margaret H. Mason A grandfather tells his grandson stories of what his hands were not allowed to do in a bakery during segregation and what they can accomplish now.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson Two girls, one black and one white, discover friendship across a fence that divides their segregated town.

When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan A child learns patience, care, and appreciation through tending a lemon tree gifted by her grandmother.

Grandpa's Stories by Joseph Coelho A child processes grief through memories of time spent with her grandfather throughout the seasons.

📚 Author Eloise Greenfield has written more than 40 children's books celebrating African American life, families, and culture. 🎨 Jerry Pinkney, the book's illustrator, won the Caldecott Medal and five Caldecott Honor awards during his career for his detailed watercolor illustrations. 💭 The story explores themes of illness, aging, and family memories through the perspective of a young boy processing his grandmother's recovery from a stroke. 👥 The book's portrayal of an intergenerational relationship reflects the important role grandparents often play in African American families as keepers of history and family traditions. 📖 Published in 1993, this book was one of the earlier children's books to address the subject of stroke recovery and its impact on family relationships.