A grandmother describes how lonely she and Grandpa are. They long for a grandchild "to fill our house with laughter, a child to bake cookies for on a rainy afternoon, a child to read stories to at bedtime." Once they learn that one is on the way, they shop for a teddy bear and other items. As soon as the baby is born, they travel to meet it and promise to play with it, to bake cookies, and to read to the "most wonderful grandchild in the whole world." This is the sort of story that children love to hear -- how eagerly awaited and important they are. The double-page spreads are rendered in brightly colored mixed media that reinforce the story's action. The adults' expressions and activities clearly convey yearning and delight. In a nice touch, the grandchild's gender is not revealed. In contrast, Marion Dane Bauer's Grandmother's Song (S&S,2000) poetically describes grandmother bearing a daughter who then bears a son. Its approach is contemplative and quiet while Grambling's story is more down-to-earth.

What grandchild would not want to hear the story of how much he or she was wanted? This time the story is told through the voice of a doting grandmother. The couple longed for a grandchild and what they feel as they await the birth of this wonderful gift is simply told. Although the illustrations are well-done, they tend to be dark and do not reflect the excitement and joy of an anticipated birth.

Grandma Tells a Story is a gentle story that addresses itself from the grandparents to the grandchild, who is presumed to be the reader. "Once upon a time, before you were born, Grandpa and I were very lonely," begins the book, which proceeds to recount the excitement and anticipation leading up to the birth of their first grandchild - and so, the end of the story is really just the beginning. Soft, kindly illustrations enhance this lovely picture book, which makes an ideal gift for the young grandchild just learning to read.