EVERY WRINKLE HAS A STORY

In this tale translated from Italian, a grandfather teaches his grandson about the beauty of aging.

Every Tuesday, Grandpa Amnon picks up Yotam from kindergarten, and the two go to Aviva’s cafe. Aviva calls them “the grandpa who laughs and the boy who draws,” and on this particular day, Yotam asks Grandpa about his wrinkles. “Wrinkles are something grownups get,” Grandpa responds. He explains that some wrinkles come from sad moments and others from happy ones. Yotam thinks that one of Grandpa’s wrinkles, which formed after the death of a beloved dog, “looks like Papaya’s tail,” while Grandpa claims that another comes from his frequent smiles after the birth of his grandson. The book wraps up with Yotam deciding that he simply must draw what he’s learned. Relying on lingering moments and lengthy descriptions, this feels more like a meditation on aging, loss, and joy for adults than a tale for children; those without a sentimental attachment to a wrinkled adult likely won’t feel any particular connection. The spare, blue art is intriguing, and the book’s creative use of outlining and white space (with characters who are either seen in blueish silhouettes or have skin the white of the page) adds to the mature feel of the text.

A story of body acceptance that will resonate more with grown-ups than young people.