The children’s book challenging ageist stereotypes
In January, we introduced you to Andrea Gallagher, the Australian author challenging old stereotypes with her children’s picture book, Superstar Grandmas: An A-Z of Seriously Cool Seniors. Now, two months later, Gallagher has just released her follow-up book, Mega-rad Grandads.
Aside from the many “dynamic and vibrant grandads” she knew, Andrea tells Over60 her main inspiration was her very own father – and now grandad to her two children. “He’s the most amazing grandad,” she gushes. “He’s really something very special.”
Sick of the “grumpy old grandad” stereotype she had so often seen, Andrea decided to shed some light on what grandfathers truly are – fun-loving, making up for lost time, and essential to every child’s development.
“In every society, you need your elders to play a significant role and teach the next generation about tradition and about what’s happened before, because that’s how we develop as a society,” she explains. “That presence of elders having an influence has such a positive impact, and so I just want to be a part of anything that will reignite that within our society, to remember how significant grandparents are and what an important role they have in the lives of little grandchildren as well as older grandchildren. That’s how I was raised, and I don’t want to see it die out in my children’s generation.”
The product of this is Mega-Rad Grandads, an A – Z picture book featuring real-life grandads and their passions in life.
There’s Bruce the baker…
Gordon the gardener…
And Harry the hippy!
The final few pages of the book are dedicated to the grandads themselves, and you and the grandkids will have a blast trying to match the grandad’s photo to his letter in the alphabet. Plus, you might find it’s just the thing to help send little ones off into the land of nod. “The thing that’s common to both of the books is that it finishes at Z on a sleeping theme, so that grandma and grandad can finish reading the book to their little grandchild and say, ‘now it’s time for a sleep!’”
To celebrate the release of Mega-Rad Grandads, Andrea – and the grandads themselves – have organised a barbecue picnic for all grandparents and their little ones to have some fun, play some games and enjoy a sausage sizzle. The event will take place at Grange Bowls Club in Queensland on Sunday, April 23 from 2-4 pm, and all are welcome. To RSVP, email andrea@penelopeandpeter.com.
If you’d like to purchase a copy of Mega-Rad Grandads, click here. You can also grab a copy of Superstar Grandmas for a special discounted price when purchased together. Visit Andrea’s website to find out more.