This debut picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Harry Woodgate won the British Book Awards Nibbie for Children's Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, was shortlisted for the Polari Prize, and named as an ALA Stonewall Honor Book. To do so, they enlist a groovy pink and white camper with a zippy blue stripe as a symbol of both the past and moving on. Children create labels for the items, then explore the concept of memories by thinking about how things special to them hold memories and form connections to times and events in our lives.

Grandad, white, and now balding, recounts their adventures to his young grandchild who hangs on every word. The little girl has an idea and together they tend to the camper van and take it to the beach, just like Gramps would have wanted. They will then send a postcard home from Grandad and Gramps on their beach adventure before planning, drafting and editing a sequel for the book where Grandad and the little girl head off on their own campervan adventure.The illustrations are full of warmth, colour and joy, beautifully echoing the excitement of discovery and adventure.

It’s refreshing to see diversity and inclusion without it being the main reference of the story - as it should be! Caregivers, especially older ones, may see this book as an opportunity to talk about departed loved ones and introduce their happy memories to a younger generation-many a family will find themselves pulling out photo albums to relate their own origin stories. VERDICT For the hope for new adventures, and the glimpse of intergenerational kindness and understanding, this lovely book should be on every shelf.Celebrate love in all its forms, as Grandad tells his granddaughter about the adventures he used to have with Gramps. This is a quiet story that speaks volumes, and astute educators and storytellers will be able to use the book in both intimate storytimes and with larger groups. The story is really lovely and delicately handles the issue of death and also helped me to discuss different family set ups with my daughter in a fun and age appropriate way. Her favourite pastime, however, is to snuggle up with Grandad while he shares tales of his past adventures with Gramps.

He describes their first holiday in Gramps' camper van, and how Gramps told him he wanted them to see all the wonderful things in the world together.It was inspired by their university dissertation, which revealed a lack of representation for older LGBTQIA+ characters in children’s books. I love that Grandad wears a t-shirt reclaiming the pink triangle in the 1970s, and I love that children will see the story of gay grandads and know families come in all different shapes and sizes.

Delightfully colourful and carrying a warm, positive message of inclusion and love, Woodgate's uplifting picture book depicts a grandad recapturing the adventures of his youth courtesy of his granddaughter.

Grandad has the kind of garden I dream of, growing fruit and vegetables, including delicious cherries, and the pair play hide-and-seek together there.