The Two of Them: A Story About a Grandfather's Love and a Granddaughter's Care for Children

by Aliki

"The day she was born, her grandfather made her a ring of silver and a polished stone, because he loved her already." Through the years, the little girl and her grandfather share so many happy times -- playing by the sea, walking in the mountains, working in his store. And when he grows sick, she takes care of him with as much love as he always showed her.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Death, Childrens, Grief, Love, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1987

About the author

Aliki has written and illustrated many books, both fiction and nonfiction, loved by readers throughout the world. The books were inspired by a word, an experience, or the desire to find out. Aliki lives in London, England.

Reviews

[Beth]

The Two of Them is a book about a grandfather who raises his granddaughter from birth. The book progresses as the granddaughter grows and, over time, the roles of caretaker and caregiver are reversed. The granddaughter begins to care for the grandfather, and eventually the grandfather passes away. The granddaughter is sad, but realizes that her grandfather passing is part of the circle of life as the fruit trees in the garden she shared with her grandfather illustrate.

This book is classified as a picture book because the stories in the book tell the story. Even if a student who could not read picked up the book and looked at the pictures, s/he would be able to tell the story based on the illustrations in the book.

This picture book would be an excellent resource when a child loses a loved one, or when teaching about the life cycle. The book could also be included in a unit about family, particularly grandparents, or even about different family structures - how each family is constructed differently whether it include mom and dad, two moms, grandma and grandpa, foster parents, or a single parent.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book about the unbreakable bond between grandfather and granddaughter."The day she was born,her grandfather made her a ring of silver and a polished stone,because he loved her already." "And every year she loved him even more than the things he made for her." A sweet and moving love that some lucky few experience!

[Kary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet story about the loving relationship between a grandpa and his granddaughter. The ending is very sad though. I would be careful reading this to a class of youngers.

[Giulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, touching story. People of all ages will connect with this story of the love between a little girl and her grandfather, and the loss she experiences when he passes away, as well as the knowledge that she will always have memories of him to treasure. The first time I read this, I was supply teaching in a grade one or two class and while I had a few moments alone, I read this since it was apart of the day's lesson. I cried, so it was a good thing I pre read it so I was prepared! It especially resonated with me because my own grandfather is passed, and he had an apple tree he loved to take of, and all of us grand kids thought it had the best apples. The children, although young, had many connections and stories to share about their own families and loved ones that had passed away. A must have for any school library.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Two of Them by Aliki is a story that focuses on the important of a grandfather. It is important to include stories that not only feature parents but also show the significance of grandparents in a child's life. Alki describes the relationship of a grandfather and his granddaughter from her birth to his death in this text and describes the way their relationship builds though out the years and the many experiences they have together. This text is also good for informing students about what it means for a grandparent to get older. It can be rather difficult for a child to ope with the idea that their grandparent may show symptoms of aging. this story helps with those milestones.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely tale about the love between a grandparent and grandchild.

Parts reminded me of my own grandfather, who used to build things for us, and instead of taking me to a creek to float, it was to go fishing. He also died when I was a little girl, and returning to places we spent time together brings back happy memories.

I think the book is a nice tale to use to talk about death, and may be good to read with a child who has experienced a death, or who has ill grandparents and is thinking about death.

[Joleene Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl's grandfather has taken care of her since she was born. He makes her cradle, watches when she takes her first step, and takes walks in the mountains with her. As the little girl grows older, so does the grandfather. The grandfather and the granddaughter love each other very much and the little girl uses that love to remember their special times together.

Favorite Line:
“She would be there to watch it grow, to pick the fruit, and to remember.”

Lesson Ideas: Death, Inferring, Connections

[Angela Silvas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about the relationship that a girl and her grandfather have. The share their life events-hard times and not-so-hard times.
This book helped me teach my students about schema. It allowed them to build, change and revise their schema when new events occurred in the text. Most of the students could make a personal connection to either one of the characters or events that occurred in the story.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story about a grandfather and granddaughter and the wonderful love that they share for each other. In the first part of the story we see the grandpa taking care of the little girl and then that reverses in the second part of the story as the grandpa ages and becomes sick. This reminded me a lot of Robert Munsch's "Love You Forever." I am one of the lucky granddaughters who can say that I had a wonderful relationship like the one described in the book with my grandpa.

[Panhia Vang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book! I remember reading choosing this book from a table in third grade. It was grandparents' day, and we were to pick out a book to read to our guests. A few years later, I picked up this book, again, from a free books box. The memories it brings! I teared up the first time reading it as a child, I tear up now, when I read it again. My favorite children book! This book is kept with me at all times! When I moved away for college, it moved with me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always something magical about the first book you remember reading. "The Two of Them" is that book for me. I remember just looking at the beautifully illustrated pictures, and the fact that this was the first book that made me cry empathetically. I still have this book and hope to share it with my future kids someday.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the unbreakable bond between a grandparent and grandchild this book tugs at the heart strings. The grandfather nurtures and cares for the child but as he gets older the child does the same for him. It does a beautiful job explaining to young children how much more special bonds mean than the material things they may give us.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book about a grandfather and his granddaughter. They do everything together, they even planted an orchard together. When her grandfather gets sick she comes to realize that its her turn to help take care of him as he has helped take care of her all those years. This book was used as a text to self for children.

[Candice Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story could be used for text-to-self connections but i would reccomend being aware of your students when reading the book because it does reference death which can bring about strong emotions for children who have experienced the loss of a grandparent. The books goes through places, events, vacations, gifts, and other memories the little girl shares with her grandfather.

[Hope Mullinax · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a girl and her grandfather. I liked this book because it made me think of the wonderful relationship my baby niece has with her grandpa. I am sure lots of children will be able to relate. However, for those who do not have grandparents at home or have recently lost them, this book may be somewhat upsetting.

[Candace Kaelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I love how it follows the two's relationship from the little girl's young age and when the Grandfather is teaching her, all the way until her Grandfather is old and she is taking care of him. I can very much relate to this book and I'm sure many of my students would be able to as well.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book touched my heart. It is about a grandfather and his granddaughter. The love of his granddaughter started at her birth...and then....as grandpa gets old and sick and then dies....the love is still there...

It got a tear drop or two from me. Pictures are great...lovely story without being too sappy!

[Abby Peskin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about the love between a grandfather and granddaughter. Like some of Aliki's other books, I feel like a lot of the sentiment in this book would be understood more by the adults reading than the children. However, death is presented appropriately (as permanent and irreversible), and simply. The illustrations are also beautiful in this book.

[Sarah Zimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about the love and relationship between a grandfather and a granddaughter. They have a special bond. This is great to read to children to ask them if they have any "text to text" connections. It is a very touching story almost everyone can relate to.

[Shaley Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a grandfather that is in his grand daughters life. He does everything for her and when he gets sick she helps him alot too. This is a good book to demonstrate text to self to children.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a grandpas love for his granddaughter that started even before she was born. Once she was born we see how their love for one-another grows as she grows. Great for text-to self connections. Grade k-4th

[Jillian Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis is a very touching book about the love between a grandfather and his granddaughter. This book could be used to explain the concept of text-to-self because even if a child doesn't have a connection to a grandparent they will have some kind of connection to someone.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christy used this book to help explain Text to Self. It was a book that teachers and children could relate to. It is a touching story of the love between a little girl and her grandfather. She experiences the loss when he passes away but knows that she will always have the memories.

[Katie Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute story of the relationship between a girl, and her Grandpa. As the girl grows older, she takes care of her Grandpa, but sadly he passes away. This is a very emotional story that is personal to me.

[Emily Bernd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book and I really connected to it because my grandpa and I were very close. I think many students will be relate to this book and it helps with grieving of the loss of a loved one.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the greatest book about a little girl and her grandfather. It is also one of the saddest books ever, but I love it. I miss my grandfather too.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by Nery Washington; a sweet little girl remembers all the kindnesses of her grandpa as she grows up, and mourns his passing. Beautifully written.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

for teaching Schema
for teaching Schema

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book about the love between a grandfather and granddaughter. It brought me to tears.

[Matthew]

loved the book i had a copy of this with me when i joined the army, after reading this story over a hundred times i still cant read it without crying a bit