How it Works: The Grandparent

Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups

by Jason A. Hazeley, Joel Morris

The PERFECT GIFT for that special grandparent you know so well and love with all your heart but whom you haven't got a clue what to get her for a present. Not a bloody clue.
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Grandparents are versatile.

They are babysitters, weather forecasters, mother's helpers, sweet collectors, child-minders, knitwear suppliers, au pairs, curators of G-plan furniture and providers of day-care for the under twelves.

Retirement is an exhausting job.
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Grandparents spend a lot of time in the garden making everything tidy and pretty, so they have something tidy and pretty to look at while they are doing the gardening

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This delightful book is part of the series of Ladybird books specially planned to help grown-ups with the world about them.

The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text.

Other titles in the Ladybirds for Grown Ups series:
How it Works: The Student
How it Works: The Cat
How it Works: The Dog
The Ladybird Book of the Meeting
The Ladybird Book of Red Tape
The Ladybird Book of the People Next Door
The Ladybird Book of the Sickie
The Ladybird Book of the Zombie Apocalypse

How it Works: The Husband
How it Works: The Wife
How it Works: The Mum
How it Works: The Dad
The Ladybird Book of the Mid-Life Crisis
The Ladybird Book of the Hangover
The Ladybird Book of Mindfulness
The Ladybird Book of the Shed
The Ladybird Book of Dating
The Ladybird Book of the Hipster

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels

ebook

First published October 20, 2016

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept of using children's media artwork to represent adult concepts is a novel idea, but it only generates a few giggles and the occasional wry smile during the 5 minute read-through. The joke wears thin when one starts to read a third or fourth book in the series. Best given as a gift to someone who is interested in the particular subject matter covered in this little book. This edition produced a higher than average rate of giggles for me, because I love Cats.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some funny pages, others not so good, an okay 5 minute read. Not as good as some others in this series.

[Shahrun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the sarcastic pairing of vintage ladybird illustrations to make them relevant for a modern audience. Very amusing.

[Lake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful styled artwork and lots of little jokes. A win 🫶🏻

[Dewi · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Grandparents are very versatile.
They are baby–sitters, weather forecasters, mother’s helpers, sweet collectors, child–minders, knitwear suppliers, au pairs, curators of G–Plan furniture and providers of day–care for the under twelves.
Retirement is an exhausting job.”

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

very funny - I speak as a grandfather

[Ross Cumming · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of a series of Ladybird books where the authors have had access to the original Ladybird archive of illustrations and have compiled new books, using the original pictures but with using original humorous text. The original Ladybird books were children's titles but these are firmly aimed at adults.
The Grandparent was a Christmas gift from my son & partner, for whom we regularly childmind their son. The writing is very funny but it is also very true in some instances as well. A good addition to the series of which I'be read quite a few.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few of these Ladybird books for adults. I think Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris have really stepped up their game for this new series of books.

This book applies to Grandparents and any retired person i think. There were some funny but true observations which had me laughing out loud. As always the books had illustrations from the original Ladybird books. At the back they had the titles of made up books in the series. I loved the idea of books on The WI and The Cruise, I think they would make hilarious subjects hint hint.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Had a couple funny satirical moments, but overall not as good some others in the series. I do like the British writing style of these books and it was particularly evident in this one. The cake purposely baked with allergens was cringe worthy since it could be quite dangerous (yes, I realize this book isn't supposed to be taken literally, but still).

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me chuckle.

[Nick Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the most bang on accurate of all of these re-purposed Landlord books, with a commentary on the behaviour patterns of Grand- (and not so Grand-) parents everywhere.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite witty in a retro Ladybird way!

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

v. true

[Alex Sarll]

More melancholy than funny, this one. Entropy's a bugger, isn't it?

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for a quick laugh

These books are perfect for a quick laugh and they are all so relatable, you will laugh out loud! So much fun.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s only so much you can say about these books. They’re pretty funny though and I’m enjoying working my way through the full collection.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great present for my parents. Funny quips that made them smile

[Philip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seems like a good idea but it's just not that funny

[Shelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as some of the others in the series but still had some funny pages.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This new style of Adult Ladybird Bokks are always worth a read .. Very clever, but this one wasn't as funny as a few others I have read ..

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfectly balanced, one of the better ones.

[Jean Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this fun little book very quickly and found it quite amusing.

[Vanshika Iyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good

[Simon Bardwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only mildly amusing. I read it as a light break from the 800 page epic. They recycled illustrations from the golden age of Ladybird books. Hence all pictures look as if from 1950s or 1960s.

[MR STEPHEN · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like a joke but without the humour.

[Dorian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bitter humor paired with retro looking illustrations all packed in a short but neatly published book. It's a cute and funny one even if it lacks story.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good jokes, mostly fine.