A story that helps children talk, at home or in the classroom, about the people who mattered to us and are no longer here.
The book
Why Do I Only Have One Grandpa? is a touching story that offers comfort. Linne cannot understand why every other child seems to have two grandpas while she has only one. Mum explains why one of Linne's grandpas is no longer here and what happened to him.
The story unfolds across twelve double-page spreads. Linne learns about people who were once alive but whom she never had the chance to meet: the heroes in our hearts. Along the way, we meet Grandpa Tom and find out what made him so special.
At the end, children and the adults reading with them are invited to talk about the heroes in their own hearts. It opens the door to family stories that might otherwise stay untold.
For children aged 4 to 6
This picture book is for children aged 4 to 6 and the adults around them. It is written for parents and carers who have lost someone important and want to keep that person's stories and memories alive.
The book gives families a warm, gentle way to talk about people who are gone but still hold a special place in their lives.
For teachers, the book offers a gentle and approachable way to begin talking with young children about loss, memories and missing someone.
These feelings can be hard to put into words. Sometimes a story is the easiest place to start.
The author
I am Margriet Dijkstra, 35, and I love teaching English at a Montessori secondary school in Zeist. I live with my loving partner, our curious young daughter and our playful labradoodle. But life is not always easy.
In July 2021, my father died at the age of 66. Four months later, I was pregnant with our daughter Liline. It hurt to know that two of the most important people in my life would never meet. Would "I never knew my grandpa" be all she could ever say about him?
I looked for a children's book about people who are no longer here but who once meant so much to us. I could not find one, so I wrote it myself: a story about the people who live on in our hearts, and the stories we want to keep telling. That became Why Do I Only Have One Grandpa?
Illustrations
The colourful illustrations are by Jolien Matijsen.
See her workPublisher
The book is published by Holmwoods Onderwijs.
Visit HolmwoodsIn the news
Talking about loss can stop children from carrying their grief alone. This NOS article explains why schools need to make space for the subject.