I've Never Met My Grandpa
A realistic story of a child’s curiosity about death and lost loved ones.
This sweet and poignant story paints a picture of a little girl’s curiosity to know her grandfather, who died before she was born. What was he like? Will she ever be able to meet him? She starts off on her own discovery journey, gathering stories and memories, finding Grandpa’s old things and trying out some of his favorites. As she pieces it all together, she realizes that maybe she doesn’t have to meet her grandpa to really know him after all.
Based on her own loss and parenting experience, debut author Shannon Zigmund has crafted a touching, timeless, and accessible tale of how a young child can come to know a loved one they’ve never met. Shared stories, memorabilia, traditions, and daydreaming weave together to create the fabric of a family member who is gone but certainly not forgotten. Readers everywhere can relate to the experience of both grief and love, and of realizing that we each hold pieces of one another in our hearts and lived lives.
Shannon Zigmund has worked behind the scenes of book creation for 15 years. After being inspired by her two children, she finally decided to write a picture book of her own. I’ve Never Met My Grandpa is near and dear to her heart as neither of her children had the chance to meet their grandfathers. Shannon grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and now resides in the Twin Cities of Minnesota with her family.
Mackinzie Rekers is an illustrator living in Iowa with her husband Corey, three rambunctious kiddos, and one bonkers puppy. When she’s not drawing she can be found reading, traveling, or reading about traveling. You can visit her at www.mackinzierekers.com
