Grandad’s Island

There is a mystery within Grandad’s Island and it is up to each reader to decide for themselves what lies at the heart of this lovely, gentle book by Benji Davies, who gave us the wonderful Storm Whale.

One day, Syd visits his grandad in his neighbouring house, but things are different. He has to climb up to the attic where he hasn’t been before. He finds grandad up there, revealing a door through to a boat!

The next thing Syd knows, they are sailing to their destination of a stunning tropical island. Here they find a perfect place where grandad reveals he’d like to stay. Syd returns home alone knowing he will miss his grandad very much. The question is, has grandad died, or has he gone into care? Either way, Syd prefers to fantasise about him in his new and better place. Whatever you decide, this colourful and touching story is a salute to the tender relationship that a grandchild shares with their grandparent.

Highly recommended for readers 3 and up.

Alexa Dretzke is a Children’s & YA Book Specialist at Readings Hawthorn.