Following Grandfather by Rosemary Wells

Jenny is as close to her grandfather as a small mouse can be. Grandfather shows Jenny how to button her buttons and how to write her name. He passes along to her the secrets of making the best lasagna in all of Boston. And during long, shared days at Revere Beach, Grandfather teaches Jenny the names of the seashells they find washed up onshore. When Grandfather is all of a sudden gone one day, the hole he leaves behind is too great for Jenny to fathom. Isn’t that him turning a corner, sitting on a bench, heading for the pier, walking along their beloved beach? Jenny runs after the familiar silver whiskers, hoping. . . . Rosemary Wells peels back the layers of grief to reveal, at its core, something as exquisite and achingly beautiful as the rare and storied queen’s teacup seashell. Christopher Denise illustrates mid-century Boston with affection, and a mouse and her grandfather with gentle humor and unabashed sympathy.

"Christopher Denise illustrates mid-century Boston with affection, and a mouse and her grandfather with gentle humor and unabashed sympathy."-Hicklebee's

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"Softly anthropomorphic black-and-white illustrations expressively convey the bond between a mouse and her inspiring grandfather. Poignant and sweet."-Kirkus Reviews

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"Wells’ wistful ode to a family’s rich history is ultimately a celebration of memory, self-worth, love, and loss, while Denise’s inviting black-and-white illustrations add cozy details."-Booklist

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"A heartwarming tale of love and loss, privilege and class, set in bustling Boston...Beautifully written text and endearing gray-scale illustrations transport readers and add to the poignancy of the tale."-School Library Journal