Book Review

Warren Goes to Grandpa’s by Edward W. Bullock, is a warm children’s story of a family visit down South to Grandpa’s. The boys in the story marvel at the fields and animals as they travel while teeming with excitement. The family arrives where they are greeted with love and deep family traditions. They go on to experience a glimpse of life on a farm as they help Grandpa with chores. The thoughtful illustrations celebrate the beauty within a family. This story is a lovely expression of strong multigenerational bonds as experienced by a child.

Laura McNeely

Kindergarten Teacher, Gloucester City Public
Schools, Gloucester City, NJ

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The picture book, “Warren Goes to Grandpa’s” documents the experiences of many “northern” African Americans who are members of the baby-boom generation. As soon as school closed for the summer, these young adolescents were sent “down south” to visit with their grandparents and other relatives.

Whether they traveled by car, bus or train, the children all had their own cardboard shoebox filled with good things to eat on their journey, such as fried chicken, sandwiches, cake and juice. It didn’t matter if the children visited their grandparents and other relatives, who may have lived in NC, SC, GA or AL, their traveling rituals were the same. “Warren Goes to Grandpa’s is a great testimony to the resilience of African American baby-boomers during their childhood days. Edward Bullock is to be commended for capturing the essence of a part of African American history as told through the eyes of the historical fiction main character, Warren.

Sheila L. Linton,

Retired National Board-Certified Teacher with additional certifications in elementary education, middle school social studies, library and information science and Certified School Librarian