Grandparents

Chema Heras’ Grandparents explores the loving relationship between Grandfather Manuel and Grandmother Manuela as they try to get ready for a dance in the village square. Grandfather gently recasts Grandmother’s insecurities into strengths as she tries out her mascara, eyeliner, lipstick and long skirt. Even when Grandmother pulls out a jar of hair dye to color her hair now “as gray as an autumn cloud”, Grandfather is steadfast in his admiration, declaring that her “white hair is like a midsummer cloud”. As Grandmother gives up on each appearance-changing item to finally go dancing, she finds that her own husband has aged, yet remains “as pretty as the moon”.

Heras’ story is told with gentleness and true affection for his characters. The lyrical prose does much to convey how the insecurities of an aging woman are immaterial in the eyes of her long-time love. Set against Rosa Osuna’s gorgeous illustrations, Grandparents is a lovely, translated work. Indeed, Osuna’s artwork does much to deepen Heras’ words as her line illustrations depict vignettes from Grandmother and Grandfathers’ younger years together and the growth their love must have gone through. The pared-down style of her pencil echoes Grandmother’s insecurities and Grandfather’s protestations perfectly. The color palette of grey blue and tangy yellow call to mind the various colors of the sky that Grandfather draws upon as he reassures his love. This book is a work of art.

Where the story could be strengthened is simply in a better understanding of its intended audience. Though certainly some children will find resonance in the story of a grandmother’s insecurities and aging love, the arc of the story is, nevertheless, far from the scope of what children find dramatic. If anything, this is a picture book better imagined as an adult art book. While it is always difficult to gauge if a translated work is simply better suited to its original language and cultural context, Grandparents might still find the most appeal with adults reflecting on their own age, love, and insecurities.