Hey
Grandude! by Paul McCartney,
illustrated by Kathryn Durst (Puffin) HB (jacketed), PR $24.99 ISBN 978024137565
Reviewed by
Dianne Bates
Grandfather
of eight children, Paul McCartney is known internationally for his role in the
Beatles and for his musical career. Like numerous celebrities these days he’s had a
go at writing a picture book text, this one for parents, grandparents and their 'little explorers'. McCartney has also narrated the Hey Grandude!
audio-books himself, along with composing some original music for the soundtrack.
The title of
this picture book came from one of McCartney’s grandchildren who calls him
Grandude. The story is about a character with the same name whose four grandchildren
(whom he calls ‘Chillers’) go on adventures with him when he uses a magical
compass to find the way.
On a rainy day Grandude takes the children to a ‘golden
beach with little waves tickling their feet.’ There they ride on the back of
flying fish. However, when lots of crabs scurry out of the sea heading straight
towards them, Grandude uses his compass to whisk them to ‘a desert valley with
spiky green cactuses.’ They ride on horses but when there’s a stampede of buffalo,
out comes the compass. After another adventure (in the alps), the compass takes
the children home to bed ‘dreaming of their next adventure.’
This is a
simply told story illustrated with bright, attractive cartoon pictures which
is sure to be enjoyed by children aged five years and up.
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