Book Review of The Shrewd Granny
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Family, childhood grief, life skills, intergenerational love, mindfulness, memory.
Heartwarming, wise, and delicately profound, The Shrewd Granny is a picture book that gently explores the enduring lessons passed between generations, especially those that live on after a loved one is gone.
At first, the young protagonist is frustrated by his Grandmother’s steadfast refusal to do things for him. Instead of giving in to his every request, Granny teaches him how to bake cookies, prepare supper, clean a house, and even read a bedtime story. These lessons, wrapped in simple, repetitive dialogue and routine activities, build into something much deeper: a toolkit for independence, resilience, and love.
Granny is both stern and tender—a “shrewd” woman whose wisdom is revealed not through gifts, but through the time she spends nurturing her grandson’s capabilities. When she unexpectedly passes away, the grief is palpable—but so too is the sense of gratitude and reflection. A touching letter she leaves behind reframes each lesson: the cookies may be gone, the stories finished, the coins spent—but the skills and memories endure. The first-person narration is both poetic and reflective in tone, especially in the story’s final pages as the boy, now a grown man, revisits each sensory memory—these moments illustrate how love can live on through simple acts and shared time.
The book is especially impactful for educators, parents, and healthcare professionals working with children processing grief. The included mindfulness reflection activity offers thoughtful prompts that invite children to express their own cherished memories using sensory recall—a gentle therapeutic tool. With tender illustrations, The Shrewd Granny offers a moving tribute to the power of love through life lessons, and how the bonds we forge with those who teach us—however quietly—can shape who we become.
Poignant, empowering, and grounded in love, The Shrewd Granny is a picture book that leaves a lasting impression.
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About the Author
Janell LaFaye Jordan is a licensed mental health counselor with 30 years of experience working with adults and children in the U.S. She has also supported military families in England and South Korea. Through her leadership, Janell has guided other clinicians and supported local mental health programming. Passionate about educating others on mental well-being, she writes books and creates resources to support individuals on their journey to wellness. When she’s not writing, Janell enjoys painting, photography, and hiking in North Carolina. Through her books, she hopes to bring joy, spark curiosity, and share valuable lessons that families can enjoy together.
For more information, please visit www.salemmha.com.
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