Mia’s Glamma by Josie Montano and Carla
Hoffenberg (IP Kidz, Interactive Press) HB RRP $26.00 ISBN: 9781922830203
Reviewed by Kellie Nissen
What if you took every stereotype of ‘grandma’ and turned them upside
down, inside out and back to front? You’d have Mia’s glamorous grandma, ‘Glamma’.
Glamma shops online, runs a restaurant, wears glittery high heels and
dyes her hair hot pink (and other colours as the mood takes her). But, deep
down, underneath the glitz and glamour, is Mia’s Glamma just like everyone
else’s grandma?
In this day and age, I’m not convinced children will understand or
resonate with the grandma stereotype of a grey-haired, slipper-wearing elderly
lady who spends her days knitting in her rocking chair. However, Mia’s
Glamma encourages young readers to explore differences and similarities
between grandmas (and people in general) – eventually coming to the conclusion
that it doesn’t matter what grandmas do or what they look like, their love and
the relationship they have with their grandchildren trumps all else.
Illustrator Carla Hoffenberg has captured the love between Mia and
Glamma beautifully, with the bright colours and bold pictures singing of joy
and happiness as the pair delight in each other’s company. Make sure you check
out Glamma’s fun earring collection too.
I feel it takes a special grandmas to show this relationship with such
clarity, and author Josie Montano clearly meets the brief.
Mia’s Glamma is a wonderful read for children aged
from 4 to 8, and is sure to become a favourite shared book.
Christmas Tales 8
