One nice thing that happens in children’s literature is family involvement. Since parents read picture books to kids, tell stories to their kids, and write stories for their kids, that’s not too surprising to see, but it is still nice. This takes all forms. Heidi EY Stemple wrote Janie Wrote a Play about her mother, the legendary Jane Yolen. Mike Berenstain writes and illustrates the Berenstain Bears books, having taken over from his parents. And recently, I stumbled across Two Artists, Grandad and Me.
Written and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, it tells the story of a little girl and her relationship with her grandfather, the great illustrator Jerry Pinkney. Pinkney won many awards for his work, including Caldecott medals, and, judging by this book, he was the kind of adult every kid needs in their life. In simple, loving story, Pinkey shares the art he loves with his granddaughter, art that ranges from the more expected (folk and fairy tales) to the less so (jazz). This moves into discussion of colors, and, smoothly, into the two family members creating art side by side. Pinkney models how to accept and deal with accidents, and celebrates his granddaughter’s art is being as legitimate as his.
And in this active, colorful picture book (2026), Charnell Pinkney Barlow celebrates her grandfather’s art and character in turn.
