GRANDMAS ARE MAGIC

The grandmas of Disney are here—and they’ve got wisdom to impart.

Gramma Tala (from Moana) pushes her titular granddaughter to “listen to the powerful voice inside her.” Grandma Paguro, from Luca—a sea monster, like her grandson—urges Luca to take risks and to find friends who will love and accept him. Grandma Fa (from Mulan) makes her granddaughter laugh when times are tough. Méndez also compares these elders to readers’ own grandmothers; like Abuela Alma from Encanto, for instance, “your grandma will learn what makes you special.” While Disney fans will get the most out of the book, the examples are general enough to make sense even to those unfamiliar with the films—though one section may confuse readers who haven’t seen Coco. Kim’s soft-hued, sunny illustrations refer to scenes from the movies, and although her artwork retains the style of the original animation, overall, it has a visual cohesiveness. Will some grown-ups find it all a tad cheesy? Yes, but little readers will enjoy seeing beloved characters on the page and will warm to the messages of grandmotherly magic. The book features mostly characters of color.

A sweet tale to listen to while curled up in a grandma’s lap—preferably after the screening of a favorite Disney flick.