| Grandpa for Sale Written by Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum Illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry |
Reviews
* Storytelling World Award winner 2008
* North Texas Book Festival Book Award winner 2008
* Writers' League of Texas Teddy Children's Book Award winner 2007
* Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award 2010 Masterlist
* Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award 2009-2010 Masterlist
* selected as an Accelerated Reader book
* a Borders Original Voices Selection for October 2007. See the feature in the My Borders Monthly e-newsletter
From Children's Literature
This amusing story to warm any grandparent's heart begins at Oldman's Antiques, where Lizzie is dusting and minding the store while her grandpa
naps and her mother has stepped out. Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third stops in with her poodle, Giselle, to browse. After selecting a few items,
Mrs. Larchmont notices grandpa asleep on the settee, and demands to know how much he costs. Lizzie explains nervously that he is not for sale.
Then Mrs. Larchmont begins to make offers. As the amount rises from five hundred to a thousand on up to fifty thousand dollars, Lizzie's
imagination goes wild imagining what she could buy with each. But then she realizes that she could not enjoy the treehouse, or even an entire
amusement park, without her grandpa. Out goes Mrs. Larchmont in a huff, for it's "No sale." Black and white drawings create the jumbled details
of the shop, while Gentry combines graphite pencil and digital pencil with watercolors and chalk for the characters and Lizzie's imaginative
creations. There's a comic, almost cartoon quality to the characters, even the poodle, and particularly to Lizzie's expressions as the bid for
grandpa climbs. - Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz, authors of 8 books on picture book illustration
From the Akron Ohio Beacon Journal
Grandpa for Sale is about Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third, who wanders into Oldman's Antiques and tries to buy Lizzie's grandpa, who has
fallen asleep on a settee. As the wealthy woman with tall hair and a rather snobbish poodle keeps raising the price for Grandpa, Lizzie imagines all
the things she might buy with the money. But what fun would they be without Grandpa? In the end, Lizzie declares a ``no sale.''
The comical story by Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum is complemented by the downright amazing illustrations by T. Kyle Gentry in his first picture
book. Heck, forget the kids. This one's good enough to put in your library. --Kim Hone-McMahan
From the Illinois Bureau County Republican
Day and night, incessant advertising tells Americans that belongings will make them happy. Recent picture books challenge this cultural
compulsion to acquire.
Grandpa for Sale abounds in amusing exaggeration. Lizzie is watching her family's antique shop when in swoops an obviously wealthy woman. "I'll
take this, and this ... Oh, my stars! Look at this! How much?" But "this" is Lizzie's grandpa, snoozing on a settee, and Lizzie insists he's not for
sale. "Nonsense," sniffs the woman, making an offer. Lizzie declines, the offer grows with each refusal, and Lizzie can't help visualizing all the things
she could buy with such vast amounts of cash. At what point does temptation become irresistible?
Humorous and highly detailed pencil, watercolor, and chalk illustrations expand upon the clever, sprightly text. At first, the characters are in rich
color, with the antique shop providing a subdued gray background. As Lizzie imagines spending her prospective wealth, her expensive
possessions grow colorful, while Grandpa fades to gray. Only the very last page of the book is completely in color. --Paula Morrow
From Library Media Connection
How much is a grandfather worth? Can anything and anyone be bought? Enderle and Sansum tackle that issue when an imperious Mr.s
Larchmont bursts into Oldman's Antiques while Lizzie is watching the shop during one of her grandfather's snoozes. Today he is snoozing on a
Louis XVI settee taht catches Mrs. Larchmont's eye, as does the peacefully snoozing elderly gentleman stretched out on it. As Mrs. Larchmont
and Lizzie haggle over the price, readers see Lizzie's thoughts showing what she could do with the money, while the text gives readers her thoughts
of "What good would it be without Grandpa..." After Lizzie's final refusal, Mrs. Larchmont leaves the shop in a snit, and grandpa wakes from his
nap. The illustrations are full of details, a kind of I Spy or treasure hunt inside the antique shop. Another devisce is the use of some color
illustrations and some black and white. At times the main characters are in color shown against the black and white backdrop of the shop, but
when Lizzie thinks about life without Grandpa he is drawn in black and white, a device that could elicit much discussion from readers.
Recommended.
From MyShelf.com
When Lizzie is left minding her family’s antique store, she is surprised by a very insistent shopper who simply must buy Lizzie’s napping Grandpa!
As the bidding for Grandpa climbs higher and higher, Lizzie finds herself imagining all the wonderful things she could have with so much money.
The shopper insists that everyone has a price - but does Grandpa? This charming, simple story pits love of things against love of people, with
hopeful results for young readers. The wonderfully detailed illustrations by T. Kyle Gentry add to the repeat pleasures of the book as each viewing
allows readers to discover something new. I also enjoyed the intriguing mix of bright color and black-and-white on each page ...when we enter the
story, the pages are mostly black-and-white to reflect Lizzie’s lack of real appreciation for the family antique shop. Then Mrs. Larchmont bursts in
with her bright colors and intriguing offers... but by the end of the book, it’s Mrs. Larchmont who loses her bright reality and the shop that’s filled
with joyful color, a lovely counterpoint to the change in Lizzie herself. I found the book a warm delight to share with my daughter. --Jan Fields
From YABooksCentral.com
Who hasn’t had daydreams about all the things one could do with endless amounts of money? Lizzie is no exception. When she’s left in charge of
Oldman’s Antiques while her grandpa sleeps on an antique setee, a strange customer flits in and offers to make Lizzie’s wildest dreams come true.
This customer is determined to take home the one thing in the store she wants above everything else, and in exchange, Lizzie can have tons of
cash. A great deal…if only the customer didn’t want Lizzie’s very own grandpa! Now, as the customer haggles, Lizzie must decide between her
dream treehouse and the man who would’ve have helped her lovingly build it. What to do, what to do.
My favorite character is the domineering Mrs. Larchmont with her puffy pink poodle. The illustrations (graphite & digital pencil, watercolor, and
chalk) are a wonderful blend of muted gray and bursts of color that engage the eye. Every page tells a brilliant story, independent of the text, while
the text marches on with dancing dialogue and Lizzie’s humorous daydreams. The face-off between the characters is priceless, and the end will
have young readers cheering. This is such a fun story, it’s definitely one to keep around for re-reading. --Julie Prince
From author Betty Dravis
One of my greatest joys in life is reading children's books (I enjoy writing them, too.) THAT said, let me tell you what I like about this wonderful
book and its unusual, aesthetic illustrations.
First of all, I'm always on the lookout for an original idea, and what could be more unique than a child tempted by "big bucks" to sell her beloved
Grandpa? Very clever of Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum to create this charming, fascinating concept.
Second: I'm captivated by the eye-pleasing color illustrations complementing the black-and-white background. Illustrator T. Kyle Gentry has a
rare talent. I've seen that concept before but not too often...
I also looooooooved this book because the characters are so real. Who wouldn't fall in love with young Lizzie and her Grandpa? The way these
two authors described them was perfection. Wonderful, heart-warming characters that I'll remember all my life.
I even liked the elderly woman who was trying to buy Grandpa. Perhaps I should seek my next mate at a garage sale? Who would think of that? :)
Perhaps most important, this book is educational, teaching strong morals to children, and we adults could learn something from young Lizzie too.
GRANDPA FOR SALE will definitely become a classic, beloved by young and old alike.
From British children's author Paeony Lewis
We all know money isn't everything and in this heart warming and thoughtful picture book Lizzie comes to realise this for herself. It's a fun and
witty story that can also form the basis for discussion about what money can and can't buy.
One day Mrs Larchmont and her poodle enter the antique shop belonging to Lizzie's family. Wealthy Mrs Larchmont has a house stuffed with
antiques and when she spies Lizzie's grandpa asleep on the settee she decides that what her house needs is the ultimate antique: a grandpa.
There are lots of amusing scenarios with Mrs Larchmont offering ever increasing amounts of money; followed by Lizzie imagining what that money
could buy her (eg a tree house, ice cream shop, boat, etc.); and then Lizzie remembering that without Grandpa reading to her, making his deluxe
ice-cream sundae, etc., that it wouldn't be fun. So it's a 'No Sale'.
...Inside there is an innovative mix of colour and black and white illustration. It's unusual and adds an extra dimension to the story in that the colour
illustrations focus on what is important in the story at that moment.
Don't try and buy a grandpa. Buy this book instead!!
From The Reading Tub.com
Summary: Lizzie tends to her grandpa's antique store while her mom goes out on errands. In the ten minutes she's gone, Lizzie learns one of the
most valuable lessons in life: not everything has a price. A rather snotty, colourful character with a boat-load of cash waltzes into the store,
intending to buy her way to what she truly wanted: to possess the world, and Lizzie's grandfather, too. This is a humorous story with brilliant
nuggets about what's important in life ... in a way young readers can appreciate them.
Type of Reading: bedtime story, anytime reading, family reading, middle reader, read aloud book
Recommended Age: 4 to 8
Age of Child: Started reading with 5½-year-old child.
Little Kid Reaction: Another instant hit. By the time Mrs. Larchmont offers Lizzie enough money to build an ice cream store, our child had
caught on to the pause in Lizzie's decisions.
Big Kid Reaction: The illustrator, T. Kyle Gentry, underscores the book's message by playing with the colors. That which is unimportant is black
and white, such as most of the items in the antique store itself. That which is valuable does have color. In Lizzie's eyes, the potential customer
seems quite valuable in the beginning as she snatches up several items for purchase. Despite the woman's insistent bidding, Lizzie refuses to sell her
grandpa napping on the Louis XVI couch.
Pros: Grandpa for Sale is a heart-warming tale of love and child-like wonder. I highly recommend it! The child's mind is wonderfully portrayed as
Lizzie imagines what she could buy with each exponential increment of cash the woman offers for her grandfather. But at the end of each fantasy,
she realizes it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if her grandfather weren't there to enjoy it with her.
Cons: None.
Borrow or Buy: Buy. I highly recommend it.
Educational Themes: There are plenty of ways to share and enjoy this book. On the serious side, you can talk about responsibility or a
grandparent child relationship. On the fun side, you can play with the "what would you do" questions and pause to guess what Lizzie (or the
reader) would do before turning the page. A great opportunity to play with reading comprehension.--Christine Hohlbaum, award-winning author
More from Christine Hohlbaum
This book is full of brilliant nuggets of wisdom about what's truly important in life. Lizzie tends to her grandpa's antique store while her mom goes
out on errands. In the ten minutes she's gone, she learns one of the most valuable lessons in life: not everything has a price.
A rather snotty, colourful character with a boat-load of cash waltzes into the store, intending to buy her way to what she truly wanted: to possess
the world, and Lizzie's grandfather, too.
The illustrator, T. Kyle Gentry, underscores the book's message by playing with the colors. That which is unimportant is black and white, such as
most of the items in the antique store itself. That which is valuable does have color. In Lizzie's eyes, the potential customer seems quite valuable in
the beginning as she snatches up several items for purchase. Despite the woman's insistent bidding, Lizzie refuses to sell her grandpa napping on
the Louis XVI couch.
The child's mind is wonderfully portrayed as Lizzie imagines what she could buy with each exponential increment of cash the woman offers for her
grandfather. But at the end of each fantasy, she realizes it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if her grandfather weren't there to enjoy it with her.
Grandpa for Sale is a heart-warming tale of love and child-like wonder. I highly recommend it!
From BlogCritics.com
Grandpa for Sale, by Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum, is a delightful children's book about the dilemma one young girl faces when she has to deal
with a tough customer in an antiques store.
When Lizzie is left by herself one day while her mother runs a quick errand, nobody thinks anything of it. After all, Grandpa is there. He may be
asleep on a settee, but an antiques store is simple to run. The items are clearly marked with price tags, and all Lizzie has to do is add them up. She
is old enough to be able to run a cash register and hand the customer change if necessary. However, Lizzie is not quite prepared for Mrs.
Larchmont when she enters the store. The woman is dressed as though she could afford to buy everything without making a dent in her wallet.
Adding to the persona is her miniature poodle, Giselle, who matches the pink purse serving as her pet carrier.
Anyone reading this book will be enthralled at how much detail is in the illustrations. The colors are rich, and there is a whimsy which brings a
smile to one's face. The reader will instantly be transported to the shop without leaving home.
When Mrs. Larchmont catches sight of Grandpa, she just has to have him! Lizzie is offered increasing sums of money to let him go out the door.
Despite her age, Lizzie knows the money could fulfill some of her most fantastic dreams. But she quickly realizes not having Grandpa around to
help her dreams come true would not be a good thing. Mrs. Larchmont is surprised to see Lizzie's reluctance to sell her grandpa. She tells her
everyone has a price. There is a resolve in Lizzie, however, which is hard to beat.
On the back cover is a letter to Mrs. Larchmont and Giselle from another antique store, promising to find them a grandpa. Considering how
valued these are, the letter writer does not promise to find one with a quick snap of the fingers. It could take years to fulfill her wish.
This book is a good mix of material written for children with a lesson for any age. –Nancy Gail
From Teacher's Pets and teacher Donna Figurski
Donna O'Donnell Figurski has authored the column TEACHER'S PETS on SmartWriters.com since 2002. She works with a team of
elementary-aged school children, called KIDDLE CRITers, who review the books with her. The review group consists of about seven to
fifteen children ranging in ages from 6 to 12 years old.
For five hundred dollars, Lizzie imagined the exquisite tree house she could buy. For one thousand dollars, she could buy a small boat with her
own name engraved on both the front and the sides. Imagine -- the S. S. Lizzie!
As Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third raised her offer to buy Lizzie’s Grandpa, who was sleeping peacefully and unaware (or maybe not so
unaware) on the old Louis XVI settee in Oldman’s Antique Store, Lizzie’s mind went crazy -- a new Lavender Dream Bedroom Set for five
thousand dollars, her very own ice cream shop, with every flavor ever made, with chocolate chips, and sprinkles and hot fudge for ten thousand
dollars. It was mighty tempting, but Lizzie said, “No Deal!”
As Mrs. Larchmont raised the money for Lizzie’s Grandpa, her offers became more and more difficult for Lizzie to refuse. Lizzie was torn as she
imagined all she could buy with that money. But when, through gritted teeth, Mrs. Larchmont said her final offer was fifty thousand dollars, Lizzie
dug in her heels and insisted that Grandpa was not for sale. After all, what fun would a tree house, a boat, or even an amusement park be without
Grandpa there to enjoy it with her. I have to agree with Lizzie. There is no amount of money to replace a grandpa.
I remember when I was in college; I lived with my grandparents in McKeesport, Pennsylvania for two months, while I waited for a dorm room to
open up. Although the commute was fifteen miles to Pittsburgh every day -- each way, via walking, bus, train, and then more walking, I loved it! It
was a great time! Living with my grandparents was the best! My grandpa, I called him Poppy, treated me like a princess. (So did my Gram!)
There is nothing like a grandpa . . . and I have to say it again, “There is no amount of money to replace a grandpa,” . . . or a Poppy either.
In Grandpa For Sale written by authors, Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum and illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry, Mrs. Larchmont certainly figured out
that Lizzie’s Grandpa was not for sale, but I can’t help but wonder if she ever realized that money cannot buy everything. It can’t buy health or
friends. It can’t buy which way the wind blows, or when the sun shines. And as Paul McCartney and John Lennon and the Beatles sang so many
years ago, “Money can't buy me love!” But the even greater music in Grandpa For Sale was the sound of the cash register on the last page when
Lizzie pushed the big red button– Ding! NO SALE!
HEY, did I see a twinkle in Grandpa’s eye?
FROM the MOUTHS of KIDDLE CRITers: a critique group
“Lizzie is watching her family’s antique shop . . . ” said Ethan.
“Oldman’s Antiques!” said Melia. “Lizzie dusted everything there.”
“I think Lizzie takes good care of the shop,” interrupted Sarit.
“ . . . Then a rich woman came in and wanted to buy Lizzie’s grandpa,” continued Ethan.
“I think that Mrs. Larchmont is arrogant and stuck-up,” said Pritka with a totally disgusted look on her face. “She thinks she’s queen of the world
just because she’s rich . . . and she thinks she can buy people.”
“Yeah,” said Timmy. “The woman said, ‘I’ll buy it.’ But Lizzie didn’t know the woman wanted to buy her grandpa.”
Pritka rolled her eyes. “Mrs. Larchmont thought everything could be bought,” she said.
“Yeah,” said Melia. “She asked how much Lizzie’s grandpa was.”
“She was treating him like property,” said Ethan. “I think somebody has to knock some sense into Mrs. Larchmont.”
“Mrs. Larchmont was not really very nice,” said Jewel.
“She kept raising the price to buy grandpa,” said Ethan.
“And, she got snottier,” said Jewel, “and snottier!”
“I like that Lizzie didn’t sell her grandpa,” said Melia. “Nobody would want to sell their grandpa!”
“For $20,000 I would,” said Timmy with a twinkle in his eye. Yeah I know, it’s bad, but I would.” *(see NOTE below)
“For $20,000 dollars?” asked Pritka.
“Whatever! I would still sell,” said Timmy. “Just think . . . people like amusements parks. And I - I could own one. I’d be super rich!”
Pritka thought for a minute then said, “The lowest I would go is 10 billion dollars.”
“No one could replace their grandpa because they’re one of a kind. I would never sell my grandpa,” said Sarit. “He’s special. He does a lot of
things for me. Sometimes he goes biking with me.”
Ethan nodded. “I agree with Sarit,” he said. “I wouldn’t sell my grandfather either. Everybody’s grandfather is special. Like my grandfather - he’s
totally sports oblivious, but he’s into history, like I am, so we can start up a conversation and talk for a long time.”
“If I sold my grandpa,” said Jake, “Then my mom and dad wouldn’t want me to be in the house anymore.”
“Well, I wouldn’t sell my grandpas!” said Melia very defiantly. “Anyway, I can’t sell them because one is in Greece and one is in Puerto Rico.”
“Lizzie loves her grandpa so much, she gives up $50,000 dollars,” said Pritka.
“Lizzie keeps thinking of the things she could buy,” said Ethan, “But then she realizes that nothing would be fun without grandpa.”
“That was love,” said Melia.
“Grandpa knew that his granddaughter wouldn’t sell him for all the money in the world and that made him very happy,” said Ethan.
Pritka smiled. “One thing in the world that can never be bought,” she said, “Is love! It’s more complex than you think!”
*NOTE from Timmy to his Grandpa. “I was only kidding, Grandpa! REALLY!!!!!”
TEACHER TALK
GRANDPA WEB: Language Arts /Social Studies
Draw an oval in the middle of your paper. Inside the oval write the word GRANDPA. Then draw lines extending from the oval and draw more
ovals at the end of them. Next have children fill in each oval with a special word about their Grandpa. Here are some characteristics to get them
started.
Loving Giving Helpful Silly
Funny Playful Caring Quiet
Generous Happy Sharing Goofy
Cut around the outside of the web and glue onto colored construction paper. Hang in the hallway.
From Through the Looking Glass.com
One day Lizzie is minding the family antique store. Her mother won’t be away for long and her grandfather, as per usual, is asleep on the settee in
the shop. Then a very glamorous woman comes into the shop. She decides to buy a pillow, a vase, a lamp, and Grandpa. Lizzie can hardly believe
that someone wants to buy Grandpa. She cannot help being tempted as the lady offers her more and more money for her happily dozing relative.
She cannot help imagining all the things she could buy with the money. But there again what would be the point of having all those things if
Grandpa wasn’t there to enjoy those things with her.
The glamorous woman, Mrs. Larchmont, offers more and more money, sums that make Lizzie’s knees wobble and her imagination go into hyper
drive. Why, she would be able to make all her dreams come true if accepted the fifty thousand dollars. But, there again, she wouldn’t have her
Grandpa with her if she agreed to sell him to Mrs. Larchmont. What is she to do?
This clever picture book shows young readers that there are some things in life that are priceless. Thankfully for Grandpa, Lizzie knows this in her
heart and when push comes to shove she makes the right decision. One cannot help wondering if Mrs. Larchmont will ever learn this valuable
lesson.
From Fandangle Magazine.com
In Grandpa For Sale Lizzie must choose whether or not she should sell her grandpa. As Mrs. Larchmont offers more money to buy grandpa Lizzie
imagines what she could do with the money and how she would feel if grandpa wasn’t there to share them with her. What will Lizzie do? Dotti
Enderle and Vicki Sansum have done a great job writing a fun and imaginative story. The illustrations by T. Kyle Gentry are bright and blend
seamlessly with the story. This is definitely a must have for those rainy spring days. --Nancy Cavanaugh
From Ken's Korner: News & Views from the World of Antiques and Collectibles
...a funny tale about the value of family and friendship over money that takes place in an antiques shop. …It just might be the only children's
picture book ever written with an antiquing theme. …a fun way to introduce kids to antiques and collecting. Antiquing & Collecting, The
Journal of Antiques & Collectibles, and Southeastern Antiquing & Collecting
From Children's Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review
Co-authored by Vicki Sansum and Golden Spur Award nominee Dotti Enderle, Grandpa for Sale is a charming children's picturebook about
qualities worth far more than money. When young Lizzie minds the family antique store, an imperious older woman named Mrs. Larchmont
demands to buy the one antique not on sale--Lizzie's slumbering grandpa! As the women offers more and more money--five hundred, five
thousand, ten thousand dollars--Lizzie dreams of all the wonderful and fun things the money could buy, but also remembers how valueless those
things would be without Grandpa to share them. "Lizzie took a deep breath and leaned in. 'Mrs. Larchmont,' she announced, 'not everyone has a
price and not everything is for sale.'" The exuberant color illustrations perfectly complement this extravagant tale with a heartwarming moral.
* North Texas Book Festival Book Award winner 2008
* Writers' League of Texas Teddy Children's Book Award winner 2007
* Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award 2010 Masterlist
* Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award 2009-2010 Masterlist
* selected as an Accelerated Reader book
* a Borders Original Voices Selection for October 2007. See the feature in the My Borders Monthly e-newsletter
From Children's Literature
This amusing story to warm any grandparent's heart begins at Oldman's Antiques, where Lizzie is dusting and minding the store while her grandpa
naps and her mother has stepped out. Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third stops in with her poodle, Giselle, to browse. After selecting a few items,
Mrs. Larchmont notices grandpa asleep on the settee, and demands to know how much he costs. Lizzie explains nervously that he is not for sale.
Then Mrs. Larchmont begins to make offers. As the amount rises from five hundred to a thousand on up to fifty thousand dollars, Lizzie's
imagination goes wild imagining what she could buy with each. But then she realizes that she could not enjoy the treehouse, or even an entire
amusement park, without her grandpa. Out goes Mrs. Larchmont in a huff, for it's "No sale." Black and white drawings create the jumbled details
of the shop, while Gentry combines graphite pencil and digital pencil with watercolors and chalk for the characters and Lizzie's imaginative
creations. There's a comic, almost cartoon quality to the characters, even the poodle, and particularly to Lizzie's expressions as the bid for
grandpa climbs. - Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz, authors of 8 books on picture book illustration
From the Akron Ohio Beacon Journal
Grandpa for Sale is about Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third, who wanders into Oldman's Antiques and tries to buy Lizzie's grandpa, who has
fallen asleep on a settee. As the wealthy woman with tall hair and a rather snobbish poodle keeps raising the price for Grandpa, Lizzie imagines all
the things she might buy with the money. But what fun would they be without Grandpa? In the end, Lizzie declares a ``no sale.''
The comical story by Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum is complemented by the downright amazing illustrations by T. Kyle Gentry in his first picture
book. Heck, forget the kids. This one's good enough to put in your library. --Kim Hone-McMahan
From the Illinois Bureau County Republican
Day and night, incessant advertising tells Americans that belongings will make them happy. Recent picture books challenge this cultural
compulsion to acquire.
Grandpa for Sale abounds in amusing exaggeration. Lizzie is watching her family's antique shop when in swoops an obviously wealthy woman. "I'll
take this, and this ... Oh, my stars! Look at this! How much?" But "this" is Lizzie's grandpa, snoozing on a settee, and Lizzie insists he's not for
sale. "Nonsense," sniffs the woman, making an offer. Lizzie declines, the offer grows with each refusal, and Lizzie can't help visualizing all the things
she could buy with such vast amounts of cash. At what point does temptation become irresistible?
Humorous and highly detailed pencil, watercolor, and chalk illustrations expand upon the clever, sprightly text. At first, the characters are in rich
color, with the antique shop providing a subdued gray background. As Lizzie imagines spending her prospective wealth, her expensive
possessions grow colorful, while Grandpa fades to gray. Only the very last page of the book is completely in color. --Paula Morrow
From Library Media Connection
How much is a grandfather worth? Can anything and anyone be bought? Enderle and Sansum tackle that issue when an imperious Mr.s
Larchmont bursts into Oldman's Antiques while Lizzie is watching the shop during one of her grandfather's snoozes. Today he is snoozing on a
Louis XVI settee taht catches Mrs. Larchmont's eye, as does the peacefully snoozing elderly gentleman stretched out on it. As Mrs. Larchmont
and Lizzie haggle over the price, readers see Lizzie's thoughts showing what she could do with the money, while the text gives readers her thoughts
of "What good would it be without Grandpa..." After Lizzie's final refusal, Mrs. Larchmont leaves the shop in a snit, and grandpa wakes from his
nap. The illustrations are full of details, a kind of I Spy or treasure hunt inside the antique shop. Another devisce is the use of some color
illustrations and some black and white. At times the main characters are in color shown against the black and white backdrop of the shop, but
when Lizzie thinks about life without Grandpa he is drawn in black and white, a device that could elicit much discussion from readers.
Recommended.
From MyShelf.com
When Lizzie is left minding her family’s antique store, she is surprised by a very insistent shopper who simply must buy Lizzie’s napping Grandpa!
As the bidding for Grandpa climbs higher and higher, Lizzie finds herself imagining all the wonderful things she could have with so much money.
The shopper insists that everyone has a price - but does Grandpa? This charming, simple story pits love of things against love of people, with
hopeful results for young readers. The wonderfully detailed illustrations by T. Kyle Gentry add to the repeat pleasures of the book as each viewing
allows readers to discover something new. I also enjoyed the intriguing mix of bright color and black-and-white on each page ...when we enter the
story, the pages are mostly black-and-white to reflect Lizzie’s lack of real appreciation for the family antique shop. Then Mrs. Larchmont bursts in
with her bright colors and intriguing offers... but by the end of the book, it’s Mrs. Larchmont who loses her bright reality and the shop that’s filled
with joyful color, a lovely counterpoint to the change in Lizzie herself. I found the book a warm delight to share with my daughter. --Jan Fields
From YABooksCentral.com
Who hasn’t had daydreams about all the things one could do with endless amounts of money? Lizzie is no exception. When she’s left in charge of
Oldman’s Antiques while her grandpa sleeps on an antique setee, a strange customer flits in and offers to make Lizzie’s wildest dreams come true.
This customer is determined to take home the one thing in the store she wants above everything else, and in exchange, Lizzie can have tons of
cash. A great deal…if only the customer didn’t want Lizzie’s very own grandpa! Now, as the customer haggles, Lizzie must decide between her
dream treehouse and the man who would’ve have helped her lovingly build it. What to do, what to do.
My favorite character is the domineering Mrs. Larchmont with her puffy pink poodle. The illustrations (graphite & digital pencil, watercolor, and
chalk) are a wonderful blend of muted gray and bursts of color that engage the eye. Every page tells a brilliant story, independent of the text, while
the text marches on with dancing dialogue and Lizzie’s humorous daydreams. The face-off between the characters is priceless, and the end will
have young readers cheering. This is such a fun story, it’s definitely one to keep around for re-reading. --Julie Prince
From author Betty Dravis
One of my greatest joys in life is reading children's books (I enjoy writing them, too.) THAT said, let me tell you what I like about this wonderful
book and its unusual, aesthetic illustrations.
First of all, I'm always on the lookout for an original idea, and what could be more unique than a child tempted by "big bucks" to sell her beloved
Grandpa? Very clever of Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum to create this charming, fascinating concept.
Second: I'm captivated by the eye-pleasing color illustrations complementing the black-and-white background. Illustrator T. Kyle Gentry has a
rare talent. I've seen that concept before but not too often...
I also looooooooved this book because the characters are so real. Who wouldn't fall in love with young Lizzie and her Grandpa? The way these
two authors described them was perfection. Wonderful, heart-warming characters that I'll remember all my life.
I even liked the elderly woman who was trying to buy Grandpa. Perhaps I should seek my next mate at a garage sale? Who would think of that? :)
Perhaps most important, this book is educational, teaching strong morals to children, and we adults could learn something from young Lizzie too.
GRANDPA FOR SALE will definitely become a classic, beloved by young and old alike.
From British children's author Paeony Lewis
We all know money isn't everything and in this heart warming and thoughtful picture book Lizzie comes to realise this for herself. It's a fun and
witty story that can also form the basis for discussion about what money can and can't buy.
One day Mrs Larchmont and her poodle enter the antique shop belonging to Lizzie's family. Wealthy Mrs Larchmont has a house stuffed with
antiques and when she spies Lizzie's grandpa asleep on the settee she decides that what her house needs is the ultimate antique: a grandpa.
There are lots of amusing scenarios with Mrs Larchmont offering ever increasing amounts of money; followed by Lizzie imagining what that money
could buy her (eg a tree house, ice cream shop, boat, etc.); and then Lizzie remembering that without Grandpa reading to her, making his deluxe
ice-cream sundae, etc., that it wouldn't be fun. So it's a 'No Sale'.
...Inside there is an innovative mix of colour and black and white illustration. It's unusual and adds an extra dimension to the story in that the colour
illustrations focus on what is important in the story at that moment.
Don't try and buy a grandpa. Buy this book instead!!
From The Reading Tub.com
Summary: Lizzie tends to her grandpa's antique store while her mom goes out on errands. In the ten minutes she's gone, Lizzie learns one of the
most valuable lessons in life: not everything has a price. A rather snotty, colourful character with a boat-load of cash waltzes into the store,
intending to buy her way to what she truly wanted: to possess the world, and Lizzie's grandfather, too. This is a humorous story with brilliant
nuggets about what's important in life ... in a way young readers can appreciate them.
Type of Reading: bedtime story, anytime reading, family reading, middle reader, read aloud book
Recommended Age: 4 to 8
Age of Child: Started reading with 5½-year-old child.
Little Kid Reaction: Another instant hit. By the time Mrs. Larchmont offers Lizzie enough money to build an ice cream store, our child had
caught on to the pause in Lizzie's decisions.
Big Kid Reaction: The illustrator, T. Kyle Gentry, underscores the book's message by playing with the colors. That which is unimportant is black
and white, such as most of the items in the antique store itself. That which is valuable does have color. In Lizzie's eyes, the potential customer
seems quite valuable in the beginning as she snatches up several items for purchase. Despite the woman's insistent bidding, Lizzie refuses to sell her
grandpa napping on the Louis XVI couch.
Pros: Grandpa for Sale is a heart-warming tale of love and child-like wonder. I highly recommend it! The child's mind is wonderfully portrayed as
Lizzie imagines what she could buy with each exponential increment of cash the woman offers for her grandfather. But at the end of each fantasy,
she realizes it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if her grandfather weren't there to enjoy it with her.
Cons: None.
Borrow or Buy: Buy. I highly recommend it.
Educational Themes: There are plenty of ways to share and enjoy this book. On the serious side, you can talk about responsibility or a
grandparent child relationship. On the fun side, you can play with the "what would you do" questions and pause to guess what Lizzie (or the
reader) would do before turning the page. A great opportunity to play with reading comprehension.--Christine Hohlbaum, award-winning author
More from Christine Hohlbaum
This book is full of brilliant nuggets of wisdom about what's truly important in life. Lizzie tends to her grandpa's antique store while her mom goes
out on errands. In the ten minutes she's gone, she learns one of the most valuable lessons in life: not everything has a price.
A rather snotty, colourful character with a boat-load of cash waltzes into the store, intending to buy her way to what she truly wanted: to possess
the world, and Lizzie's grandfather, too.
The illustrator, T. Kyle Gentry, underscores the book's message by playing with the colors. That which is unimportant is black and white, such as
most of the items in the antique store itself. That which is valuable does have color. In Lizzie's eyes, the potential customer seems quite valuable in
the beginning as she snatches up several items for purchase. Despite the woman's insistent bidding, Lizzie refuses to sell her grandpa napping on
the Louis XVI couch.
The child's mind is wonderfully portrayed as Lizzie imagines what she could buy with each exponential increment of cash the woman offers for her
grandfather. But at the end of each fantasy, she realizes it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if her grandfather weren't there to enjoy it with her.
Grandpa for Sale is a heart-warming tale of love and child-like wonder. I highly recommend it!
From BlogCritics.com
Grandpa for Sale, by Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum, is a delightful children's book about the dilemma one young girl faces when she has to deal
with a tough customer in an antiques store.
When Lizzie is left by herself one day while her mother runs a quick errand, nobody thinks anything of it. After all, Grandpa is there. He may be
asleep on a settee, but an antiques store is simple to run. The items are clearly marked with price tags, and all Lizzie has to do is add them up. She
is old enough to be able to run a cash register and hand the customer change if necessary. However, Lizzie is not quite prepared for Mrs.
Larchmont when she enters the store. The woman is dressed as though she could afford to buy everything without making a dent in her wallet.
Adding to the persona is her miniature poodle, Giselle, who matches the pink purse serving as her pet carrier.
Anyone reading this book will be enthralled at how much detail is in the illustrations. The colors are rich, and there is a whimsy which brings a
smile to one's face. The reader will instantly be transported to the shop without leaving home.
When Mrs. Larchmont catches sight of Grandpa, she just has to have him! Lizzie is offered increasing sums of money to let him go out the door.
Despite her age, Lizzie knows the money could fulfill some of her most fantastic dreams. But she quickly realizes not having Grandpa around to
help her dreams come true would not be a good thing. Mrs. Larchmont is surprised to see Lizzie's reluctance to sell her grandpa. She tells her
everyone has a price. There is a resolve in Lizzie, however, which is hard to beat.
On the back cover is a letter to Mrs. Larchmont and Giselle from another antique store, promising to find them a grandpa. Considering how
valued these are, the letter writer does not promise to find one with a quick snap of the fingers. It could take years to fulfill her wish.
This book is a good mix of material written for children with a lesson for any age. –Nancy Gail
From Teacher's Pets and teacher Donna Figurski
Donna O'Donnell Figurski has authored the column TEACHER'S PETS on SmartWriters.com since 2002. She works with a team of
elementary-aged school children, called KIDDLE CRITers, who review the books with her. The review group consists of about seven to
fifteen children ranging in ages from 6 to 12 years old.
For five hundred dollars, Lizzie imagined the exquisite tree house she could buy. For one thousand dollars, she could buy a small boat with her
own name engraved on both the front and the sides. Imagine -- the S. S. Lizzie!
As Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third raised her offer to buy Lizzie’s Grandpa, who was sleeping peacefully and unaware (or maybe not so
unaware) on the old Louis XVI settee in Oldman’s Antique Store, Lizzie’s mind went crazy -- a new Lavender Dream Bedroom Set for five
thousand dollars, her very own ice cream shop, with every flavor ever made, with chocolate chips, and sprinkles and hot fudge for ten thousand
dollars. It was mighty tempting, but Lizzie said, “No Deal!”
As Mrs. Larchmont raised the money for Lizzie’s Grandpa, her offers became more and more difficult for Lizzie to refuse. Lizzie was torn as she
imagined all she could buy with that money. But when, through gritted teeth, Mrs. Larchmont said her final offer was fifty thousand dollars, Lizzie
dug in her heels and insisted that Grandpa was not for sale. After all, what fun would a tree house, a boat, or even an amusement park be without
Grandpa there to enjoy it with her. I have to agree with Lizzie. There is no amount of money to replace a grandpa.
I remember when I was in college; I lived with my grandparents in McKeesport, Pennsylvania for two months, while I waited for a dorm room to
open up. Although the commute was fifteen miles to Pittsburgh every day -- each way, via walking, bus, train, and then more walking, I loved it! It
was a great time! Living with my grandparents was the best! My grandpa, I called him Poppy, treated me like a princess. (So did my Gram!)
There is nothing like a grandpa . . . and I have to say it again, “There is no amount of money to replace a grandpa,” . . . or a Poppy either.
In Grandpa For Sale written by authors, Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum and illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry, Mrs. Larchmont certainly figured out
that Lizzie’s Grandpa was not for sale, but I can’t help but wonder if she ever realized that money cannot buy everything. It can’t buy health or
friends. It can’t buy which way the wind blows, or when the sun shines. And as Paul McCartney and John Lennon and the Beatles sang so many
years ago, “Money can't buy me love!” But the even greater music in Grandpa For Sale was the sound of the cash register on the last page when
Lizzie pushed the big red button– Ding! NO SALE!
HEY, did I see a twinkle in Grandpa’s eye?
FROM the MOUTHS of KIDDLE CRITers: a critique group
“Lizzie is watching her family’s antique shop . . . ” said Ethan.
“Oldman’s Antiques!” said Melia. “Lizzie dusted everything there.”
“I think Lizzie takes good care of the shop,” interrupted Sarit.
“ . . . Then a rich woman came in and wanted to buy Lizzie’s grandpa,” continued Ethan.
“I think that Mrs. Larchmont is arrogant and stuck-up,” said Pritka with a totally disgusted look on her face. “She thinks she’s queen of the world
just because she’s rich . . . and she thinks she can buy people.”
“Yeah,” said Timmy. “The woman said, ‘I’ll buy it.’ But Lizzie didn’t know the woman wanted to buy her grandpa.”
Pritka rolled her eyes. “Mrs. Larchmont thought everything could be bought,” she said.
“Yeah,” said Melia. “She asked how much Lizzie’s grandpa was.”
“She was treating him like property,” said Ethan. “I think somebody has to knock some sense into Mrs. Larchmont.”
“Mrs. Larchmont was not really very nice,” said Jewel.
“She kept raising the price to buy grandpa,” said Ethan.
“And, she got snottier,” said Jewel, “and snottier!”
“I like that Lizzie didn’t sell her grandpa,” said Melia. “Nobody would want to sell their grandpa!”
“For $20,000 I would,” said Timmy with a twinkle in his eye. Yeah I know, it’s bad, but I would.” *(see NOTE below)
“For $20,000 dollars?” asked Pritka.
“Whatever! I would still sell,” said Timmy. “Just think . . . people like amusements parks. And I - I could own one. I’d be super rich!”
Pritka thought for a minute then said, “The lowest I would go is 10 billion dollars.”
“No one could replace their grandpa because they’re one of a kind. I would never sell my grandpa,” said Sarit. “He’s special. He does a lot of
things for me. Sometimes he goes biking with me.”
Ethan nodded. “I agree with Sarit,” he said. “I wouldn’t sell my grandfather either. Everybody’s grandfather is special. Like my grandfather - he’s
totally sports oblivious, but he’s into history, like I am, so we can start up a conversation and talk for a long time.”
“If I sold my grandpa,” said Jake, “Then my mom and dad wouldn’t want me to be in the house anymore.”
“Well, I wouldn’t sell my grandpas!” said Melia very defiantly. “Anyway, I can’t sell them because one is in Greece and one is in Puerto Rico.”
“Lizzie loves her grandpa so much, she gives up $50,000 dollars,” said Pritka.
“Lizzie keeps thinking of the things she could buy,” said Ethan, “But then she realizes that nothing would be fun without grandpa.”
“That was love,” said Melia.
“Grandpa knew that his granddaughter wouldn’t sell him for all the money in the world and that made him very happy,” said Ethan.
Pritka smiled. “One thing in the world that can never be bought,” she said, “Is love! It’s more complex than you think!”
*NOTE from Timmy to his Grandpa. “I was only kidding, Grandpa! REALLY!!!!!”
TEACHER TALK
GRANDPA WEB: Language Arts /Social Studies
Draw an oval in the middle of your paper. Inside the oval write the word GRANDPA. Then draw lines extending from the oval and draw more
ovals at the end of them. Next have children fill in each oval with a special word about their Grandpa. Here are some characteristics to get them
started.
Loving Giving Helpful Silly
Funny Playful Caring Quiet
Generous Happy Sharing Goofy
Cut around the outside of the web and glue onto colored construction paper. Hang in the hallway.
From Through the Looking Glass.com
One day Lizzie is minding the family antique store. Her mother won’t be away for long and her grandfather, as per usual, is asleep on the settee in
the shop. Then a very glamorous woman comes into the shop. She decides to buy a pillow, a vase, a lamp, and Grandpa. Lizzie can hardly believe
that someone wants to buy Grandpa. She cannot help being tempted as the lady offers her more and more money for her happily dozing relative.
She cannot help imagining all the things she could buy with the money. But there again what would be the point of having all those things if
Grandpa wasn’t there to enjoy those things with her.
The glamorous woman, Mrs. Larchmont, offers more and more money, sums that make Lizzie’s knees wobble and her imagination go into hyper
drive. Why, she would be able to make all her dreams come true if accepted the fifty thousand dollars. But, there again, she wouldn’t have her
Grandpa with her if she agreed to sell him to Mrs. Larchmont. What is she to do?
This clever picture book shows young readers that there are some things in life that are priceless. Thankfully for Grandpa, Lizzie knows this in her
heart and when push comes to shove she makes the right decision. One cannot help wondering if Mrs. Larchmont will ever learn this valuable
lesson.
From Fandangle Magazine.com
In Grandpa For Sale Lizzie must choose whether or not she should sell her grandpa. As Mrs. Larchmont offers more money to buy grandpa Lizzie
imagines what she could do with the money and how she would feel if grandpa wasn’t there to share them with her. What will Lizzie do? Dotti
Enderle and Vicki Sansum have done a great job writing a fun and imaginative story. The illustrations by T. Kyle Gentry are bright and blend
seamlessly with the story. This is definitely a must have for those rainy spring days. --Nancy Cavanaugh
From Ken's Korner: News & Views from the World of Antiques and Collectibles
...a funny tale about the value of family and friendship over money that takes place in an antiques shop. …It just might be the only children's
picture book ever written with an antiquing theme. …a fun way to introduce kids to antiques and collecting. Antiquing & Collecting, The
Journal of Antiques & Collectibles, and Southeastern Antiquing & Collecting
From Children's Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review
Co-authored by Vicki Sansum and Golden Spur Award nominee Dotti Enderle, Grandpa for Sale is a charming children's picturebook about
qualities worth far more than money. When young Lizzie minds the family antique store, an imperious older woman named Mrs. Larchmont
demands to buy the one antique not on sale--Lizzie's slumbering grandpa! As the women offers more and more money--five hundred, five
thousand, ten thousand dollars--Lizzie dreams of all the wonderful and fun things the money could buy, but also remembers how valueless those
things would be without Grandpa to share them. "Lizzie took a deep breath and leaned in. 'Mrs. Larchmont,' she announced, 'not everyone has a
price and not everything is for sale.'" The exuberant color illustrations perfectly complement this extravagant tale with a heartwarming moral.
| picture books that explore and illuminate |