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Grace
Read Write Inc. Comprehension: Module 16: Children's Books: Grace and Family Pack of 5 Books
RWI Comprehension is the next step in developing children's composition and writing skills once they have become confident readers. Children work through the 30 weekly modules, specially written to link reading and writing activities to carefully levelled texts. Each of the 16 children's books
listed have an accompanying module with activities which provide practice in reading, writing and spelling, and consolidate the pupils' knowledge through comprehension and guided composition.
The illustrated children's books that accompany 16 of the Comprehension modules can all be purchased from Oxford University Press in the same way as the module packs.
listed have an accompanying module with activities which provide practice in reading, writing and spelling, and consolidate the pupils' knowledge through comprehension and guided composition.
The illustrated children's books that accompany 16 of the Comprehension modules can all be purchased from Oxford University Press in the same way as the module packs.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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163 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hoffman
274 books592 followersSee also works published under Mary Lassiter
Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.
Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel
Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.
Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 14, 2012
Grace and Family is a book about a girl called Grace whose parents have separated. Grace often reads stories that talk about a family as being inclusive of a mother, father, child and pet. Grace expresses to her mother that she feels as though she does not have a proper family. Grace's mother deals with this by telling Grace about how Grace's parents came to separate. One day, Grace's father writes to Grace with tickets for Grace to visit him and his new family. At first Grace is apprehensive having not seen her father in such a long time and also from what she has read in stories about step-mothers. By the end of the story Grace understands that family is what you make it to be and not all families are the same.
A wonderful book that has some cross-curricular links. This book has been using to introduce the concept of settings in literacy. It is an easy starting point for children to recognise cues in the text that suggest the setting is going to change. The theme of the book is about families and can be used as a topic of discussion in PSHE from Grace's perspective. I found that after reading this book some of the children in my class discussed their families amongst themselves - particularly those who only live with one parent. It could also be used as a topic for circle time in terms of differences between how we live in England and how people may live in other countries.
This book has been used mainly for years 3 and 4 for literacy, but could also be used in year 2.
A wonderful book that has some cross-curricular links. This book has been using to introduce the concept of settings in literacy. It is an easy starting point for children to recognise cues in the text that suggest the setting is going to change. The theme of the book is about families and can be used as a topic of discussion in PSHE from Grace's perspective. I found that after reading this book some of the children in my class discussed their families amongst themselves - particularly those who only live with one parent. It could also be used as a topic for circle time in terms of differences between how we live in England and how people may live in other countries.
This book has been used mainly for years 3 and 4 for literacy, but could also be used in year 2.
June 17, 2012
This is a story about a young girl, Grace, who lives with her Ma, her Nana and her cat Paw Paw. Grace loves to read books and from these books she has very strong views about what a normal family should be like. In her story books the families consist of a mother, father, brother, sister, a cat and a dog. As a result Grace feels that she does not have a proper family.
One day Grace receives a letter in the post from her father, sending her money for flights to go and visit him and his new family in Africa. The story describes Grace’s trip to Africa and how her relationship with her father and his new family develop during this time. She learns that ‘families are what you make them’ and that there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ family.
I read this book with my Year 2 class in literacy. I used diary entries and role play to explore Grace’s feelings and her experience of getting to know her new family. The book has cross-curricular links as it can also be used in Geography lesson’s to learn about the African culture. The theme of the book is about families and it can be used as a starting point for discussion in PSHE lessons. I would recommend this book for children in Year 2 and 3.
One day Grace receives a letter in the post from her father, sending her money for flights to go and visit him and his new family in Africa. The story describes Grace’s trip to Africa and how her relationship with her father and his new family develop during this time. She learns that ‘families are what you make them’ and that there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ family.
I read this book with my Year 2 class in literacy. I used diary entries and role play to explore Grace’s feelings and her experience of getting to know her new family. The book has cross-curricular links as it can also be used in Geography lesson’s to learn about the African culture. The theme of the book is about families and it can be used as a starting point for discussion in PSHE lessons. I would recommend this book for children in Year 2 and 3.
February 9, 2019
Feel good book about blended family !
July 27, 2012
Grace and Family is a book about a young girl called Grace who lives with her Ma, Nana, and cat Paw-Paw. This is the family she has ever known as her father lives far away in Gambia.
Her father sends her two tickets to Gambia for her to come and visit him with her Nana. Grace is extremely happy about this although nervous about meeting her new family and travelling so far away. Grace arrives in Gambia wishing she had a family consisting of a mum, dad, sister, brother and a dog, just like she hears about in the stories. By the end of the story, Grace realises that family is what you make it and appreciates her new family.
This story is quite emotional and my favourite part is when Grace sees what a wonderful big sister she can be and how she fits in so well. I also love how I was able to connect with Grace as she stepped outside of the Gambian airport into an unknown world.
The appropriate age range for this book would be age 7-9 (years 3 and 4). I think this book would be well suited to children who have family in different countries as it could help them understand their situation more; especially in inner-city schools where children are most likely to have families from all around the world.
This book could be used in PSHE lessons and could be linked to geographical work. This cultural book has beautiful illustrations by Caroline Birch which really allow the reader to delve into Gambian culture.
Her father sends her two tickets to Gambia for her to come and visit him with her Nana. Grace is extremely happy about this although nervous about meeting her new family and travelling so far away. Grace arrives in Gambia wishing she had a family consisting of a mum, dad, sister, brother and a dog, just like she hears about in the stories. By the end of the story, Grace realises that family is what you make it and appreciates her new family.
This story is quite emotional and my favourite part is when Grace sees what a wonderful big sister she can be and how she fits in so well. I also love how I was able to connect with Grace as she stepped outside of the Gambian airport into an unknown world.
The appropriate age range for this book would be age 7-9 (years 3 and 4). I think this book would be well suited to children who have family in different countries as it could help them understand their situation more; especially in inner-city schools where children are most likely to have families from all around the world.
This book could be used in PSHE lessons and could be linked to geographical work. This cultural book has beautiful illustrations by Caroline Birch which really allow the reader to delve into Gambian culture.
December 10, 2011
Grace lives with her Mum, her Nana and her cat but she doesn't feel she has a proper family because they don't match the families she reads about in her favourite fairy stories. She gets the chance to visit her Dad in Africa but worries about how she fits in with this new family too. Eventually, with the help of her Nana, she realises that families are what you make them.
This is a lovely story, children will really warm to the character of Grace and there are more stories about Grace for them to explore. The message about there being lots of different families is a great one to explore in class. I would recommend this for Year 2 and 3 guided reading and as a class story for Year 1. There are lots of different extension activities you could do around the text including research on different countries in Africa, comparisions of different fairy stories, writing your own fairy story and discussion of the feelings involved in the story.
This is a lovely story, children will really warm to the character of Grace and there are more stories about Grace for them to explore. The message about there being lots of different families is a great one to explore in class. I would recommend this for Year 2 and 3 guided reading and as a class story for Year 1. There are lots of different extension activities you could do around the text including research on different countries in Africa, comparisions of different fairy stories, writing your own fairy story and discussion of the feelings involved in the story.
November 12, 2012
Grace is visiting her father and his new family in Africa; Grace is very scared that she won't fit in with them because it would mean their family is not normal (I.e. instead of the typical mother, father, children and dog, they are the grandmother, mother and daughter). Throughout the story, Grace realises that although her family isn't built in the way she would usually assume a normal family to bem they are still a family.
This is the type of story that is very useful when learning about families, in identifying the different types of families that can exist and that it is unimportant what other families look like.
This is the type of story that is very useful when learning about families, in identifying the different types of families that can exist and that it is unimportant what other families look like.
October 16, 2020
Grace's father has separated from her mother and invites her to stay with him and his new family in The Gambia. Grace is very unsure at first, but learns to love her second family just as much as her other one. Lovely illustrations and handling of a difficult subject. I also liked the subtle references to African culture without it feeling like 'tokenism'.
June 7, 2021
Loved it
February 14, 2013
Grace is a young girl whose father left the family so long ago she can barely remember him. She lives with her mother, grandmother and pet cat and dreams of an imaginary father that could ‘complete’ their family into a perfect “storybook” one.
One day her father unexpectedly sends her money to visit him in Gambia for the holidays– there she meets his new wife and other children and begins to feel as if she is an unneeded extra to what she perceives as an example of a ‘storybook family’.
As her stay continues, she begins to belong and overcomes her problem of feeling “like gum stretched out all thin in a bubble” between her African family and her family at home; understanding the message her Nana taught her along, that “Families are what you make of them”.
We used this book for a series of Literacy lessons for a lower set Year 4 class. The colourful illustrations are a nice addition to the book, I particularly liked the vibrant depiction of an African dress stall.
The plot is very simple which makes the book suited to comprehension activities for lower ability pupils. One possible activity is to make copies and cut outs of pictures of key events from the book and have pupils write a retell of the story alongside the cut outs.
The only problem with this book is that its simplicity makes it slightly uninteresting.
This particular story was chosen for its message that there is no one ‘correct’ type of family so it is also good for PSHE and broaching the subject of single parent families.
One day her father unexpectedly sends her money to visit him in Gambia for the holidays– there she meets his new wife and other children and begins to feel as if she is an unneeded extra to what she perceives as an example of a ‘storybook family’.
As her stay continues, she begins to belong and overcomes her problem of feeling “like gum stretched out all thin in a bubble” between her African family and her family at home; understanding the message her Nana taught her along, that “Families are what you make of them”.
We used this book for a series of Literacy lessons for a lower set Year 4 class. The colourful illustrations are a nice addition to the book, I particularly liked the vibrant depiction of an African dress stall.
The plot is very simple which makes the book suited to comprehension activities for lower ability pupils. One possible activity is to make copies and cut outs of pictures of key events from the book and have pupils write a retell of the story alongside the cut outs.
The only problem with this book is that its simplicity makes it slightly uninteresting.
This particular story was chosen for its message that there is no one ‘correct’ type of family so it is also good for PSHE and broaching the subject of single parent families.
August 24, 2013
Grace, a young girl lives with her Mum, her Nana and her cat called Paw-Paw simply because her mum and dad split-up when she was young. Grace love to read and write stories about family that includes Dad, a brother and a dog and that to her is what an ideal family should look like. This make her to think that there is something wrong with her family. One day, Papa sends money for two tickets inviting Grace to come over to visit him in Africa. She receives the news with mix feelings. Even though she loves to see Papa, she realises that the youngest is always the favourite. Many thoughts flashes through her mind, step mum! uh, a new family! uh, not sure. On getting to Gambia with Nana, she realises that some things are different; shopping is more exciting; women carrying loads on their heads, rainbow-like stalls and clothes with animal prints. At first, she’s a bit cold but after a while, her relationship with her new family turns from cold to warm. She reads bedtime story to her brother and sister, visits exciting places together and leaving her new family especially Papa at the end of the holiday is hard.
This book is written by Mary Hoffman and is well illustrated by Caroline Binch. The book is simple, good for comprehension and PSHE. It shows how what we read and hear shapes our thoughts and attitude to things.
May 24, 2013
A story about a little girl called Grace who lives with her mum, nan and her pet cat Pawpaw. Her parents split up when she was very young, and her father went to live in Gambia. Grace has seen photographs of her Papa and has built up several pictures on him in her head. She receives a letter from him asking her to join him in Gambia and she travels out to see him. She is rather nervous about meeting her new family, on arrival she feels like she does not fit into their ‘perfect’ family. Her father has re-married and had two more children, so she feels very much like the spare girl. She does not warm to her step mother immediately, however as she stays longer the relationship develops and she finds herself experiencing lots of new things; buying her first African dress and visiting a holy land.
This is a great book to use in class. I have used it with a group of year 2 children, looking at the differences and similarities between England and Gambia, describing the hustle and bustle of the market. You can look at the feelings Grace is experiencing, both before she travels and once she is there- activities that could be done with this are writing a postcard, or a diary entry. It could also use it to look at children’s own families, how they are made up and who they live with.
This is a great book to use in class. I have used it with a group of year 2 children, looking at the differences and similarities between England and Gambia, describing the hustle and bustle of the market. You can look at the feelings Grace is experiencing, both before she travels and once she is there- activities that could be done with this are writing a postcard, or a diary entry. It could also use it to look at children’s own families, how they are made up and who they live with.
September 1, 2014
Grace and Family confronts the issues of split or non-conventional family set ups and the impact they can have on young children. Grace is a young girl who lives with her ma, nana and cat, with her father living back in Africa. She develops anxieties surrounding her family as it does not conform to the standard family unit of a mum, dad, brother and sister as set out in the books she reads, leaving her feeling that her family is not quite right.
The book helps confront hard issues such as split parenting and estrangement as well as new cultures not to mention the difficult acceptance of step-families. The writing is clear and simple, helping to portray typical sentiments surrounding these problems and how the non-standard family unit has its own value. Grace and Family reassures children that there are alternatives out there and that although their families are different, they are by no means less than anyone else's.
This book is a refreshing read giving a voice to children who are looking for relatable material when dealing with difficult situations which they might not otherwise voice. A good read for ks1 to discuss what are families and also to investigate different cultures.
The book helps confront hard issues such as split parenting and estrangement as well as new cultures not to mention the difficult acceptance of step-families. The writing is clear and simple, helping to portray typical sentiments surrounding these problems and how the non-standard family unit has its own value. Grace and Family reassures children that there are alternatives out there and that although their families are different, they are by no means less than anyone else's.
This book is a refreshing read giving a voice to children who are looking for relatable material when dealing with difficult situations which they might not otherwise voice. A good read for ks1 to discuss what are families and also to investigate different cultures.
April 29, 2013
Grace and Family is written by Mary Hoffman and is aimed at childred aged 6+. It is the sequel to Amazing grace. It has great illustrations by Caroline Binch.
Grace lives with her mum, her nana and her cat Paw Paw. Papa lives in the Gambia and invites her to visit him. Grace has very definite ideas about what a family should be, she thinks all families should have a mum, a dad a brother, a sister and a dog. This idea stems from the literature she has been exposed to her during her time at school (there's a message their for teacher's I'm sure). Her mind is change from experiecne the Gambia and becoming re-aquainted with her Papa.
The story is writing from the perspective of a child with what she considers to be an 'unconventional family'. There are therefore, obvious benefits to exposing children to this book. Many may feel an affinity with Grace and admire her tenacity.
I would recommend introducing this story to a class. To teachers, I would state there are meny opportunities for access to the wider curriculum, particularly PSHE and a discussion surrounding what a family might look like.
Grace lives with her mum, her nana and her cat Paw Paw. Papa lives in the Gambia and invites her to visit him. Grace has very definite ideas about what a family should be, she thinks all families should have a mum, a dad a brother, a sister and a dog. This idea stems from the literature she has been exposed to her during her time at school (there's a message their for teacher's I'm sure). Her mind is change from experiecne the Gambia and becoming re-aquainted with her Papa.
The story is writing from the perspective of a child with what she considers to be an 'unconventional family'. There are therefore, obvious benefits to exposing children to this book. Many may feel an affinity with Grace and admire her tenacity.
I would recommend introducing this story to a class. To teachers, I would state there are meny opportunities for access to the wider curriculum, particularly PSHE and a discussion surrounding what a family might look like.
August 6, 2016
I enjoyed this book. It is about a journey initiated by a longing to be re-united with family. It are set in Africa. Grace lived with her Nana and Ma but longs to live with her father as children in stories do.
Nana and Grace arrive in the Gambia and Grace feels a happy memory returning. But when she meets her father’s new family, she is uncertain that she is really wanted. She is wary of her stepmother, knowing, from stories, that stepmothers are not to be trusted. Her father helps her to change her attitude. Nana also helps her to come to terms wit her extended family. She begins to enjoy the new experience Africa has to offer and Neneh and Bakary hear lots of her stories.
Grace writes a story about her family who ‘live happily ever after’ but not in the same place.
I recommend this book for ages 6-9years, and for use in multicultural classrooms. Another great read by Mary Hoffman. Children will enjoy it!
Nana and Grace arrive in the Gambia and Grace feels a happy memory returning. But when she meets her father’s new family, she is uncertain that she is really wanted. She is wary of her stepmother, knowing, from stories, that stepmothers are not to be trusted. Her father helps her to change her attitude. Nana also helps her to come to terms wit her extended family. She begins to enjoy the new experience Africa has to offer and Neneh and Bakary hear lots of her stories.
Grace writes a story about her family who ‘live happily ever after’ but not in the same place.
I recommend this book for ages 6-9years, and for use in multicultural classrooms. Another great read by Mary Hoffman. Children will enjoy it!
June 18, 2014
I read this book to a year 1 class as part of Power of Reading scheme in schools.
This follows a young girl Grace, who loves to read stories, has a wild imagination and lives at home with her mother and grandmother. One day in the post, she receives a letter from her father, who lives in Africa, inviting her to come to see him. Grace goes to Africa with her grandmother and meets her new family. By the end of the time, Grace had experienced many aspects of Africa, Gambia and their culture.
I feel this is a very good book for young children, up to year 5/6 as it looks at different types of families, helping children to understand that all families are special, even if there are 2 parents, 1 parent or even none. I feel it also brings a part of the country to life. Africa through the eyes of Grace is a very exciting place and many pupils in my class were eager to learn more.
This follows a young girl Grace, who loves to read stories, has a wild imagination and lives at home with her mother and grandmother. One day in the post, she receives a letter from her father, who lives in Africa, inviting her to come to see him. Grace goes to Africa with her grandmother and meets her new family. By the end of the time, Grace had experienced many aspects of Africa, Gambia and their culture.
I feel this is a very good book for young children, up to year 5/6 as it looks at different types of families, helping children to understand that all families are special, even if there are 2 parents, 1 parent or even none. I feel it also brings a part of the country to life. Africa through the eyes of Grace is a very exciting place and many pupils in my class were eager to learn more.
September 7, 2016
Theme: that families need not necessarily conform to a set stereotype.
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