My Nana meant the world to everyone in our family. To my mom, she was a best friend. To my sisters, she was a confidant. To me, she was a mirror.
Nana and I shared the same demeanor – a soft-spoken nature and observational way of being. Homebodies at heart, our joy came from creating things. Crafts, cross-stitch, canning, cooking casseroles – tokens of time and love that take concentration, patience, hope.
When Nana passed away, the vacuum was real. I shed every tear I had and didn’t cry again for years. Nothing else seemed worth the salt. I knew that being introspective, quiet and creative was a valid way of being. But without her mirror, I couldn’t always see it.
With lots of time, journaling and music, I worked my way through and eventually thoughts of Nana became a source of joy and comfort again. Today, I see her fingerprints all over my life – in my meditative making, parenting style, and role in my own family.
Grandparents can shape how we view ourselves and introduce us to hobbies and experiences that make us feel happy and alive. A new picture book illustrates these enduring gifts with warmth, creativity, humor and charm.
Meet OLD FRIENDS!
OLD FRIENDS - by author Margaret Aitken, illustrated by Lenny Wen (Feiwel & Friends) - is a heartfelt and adventurous story about Marjorie, a child who is feeling lost after the death of her Granny. The kids in Marjorie’s neighborhood are great, but they don’t love gardening, knitting and baking like she does. Like Granny did.
This realization spurs a quest, and Marjorie sets out in search of friends with whom she can relate… old friends. Gentle, endearing and sweet, OLD FRIENDS depicts the grandparent-grandchild bond with tenderness and bravely opens the door to new, surprising experiences. Here are three things that I love about OLD FRIENDS…
Delving into Detail
OLD FRIENDS begins in Marjorie’s home. Alone with big feelings, Marjorie thinks about Granny and the activities that the two of them use to enjoy - growing seeds into gardens and knitting cozy creations. With alliteration and specificity, the text brings Marjorie and Granny’s shared hobbies to life, painting a picture of a vibrant, intimate relationship now sorely missed.
Marjorie surrounds herself with objects that remind her of Granny – a record player, yarn and needles, a cookbook and photographs. She still wants to do the things that bring her happiness, but it’s no fun doing them alone.
Art by Lenny Wen
Motivated Main Character
Then one day, Marjorie passes a sign at the local community center, which advertises a Senior Citizens Friends Group. Marjorie perks at the sight. She returns with her knitting needles, only to be redirected by someone at the front desk: “That’s for seniors only!” Marjorie leaves defeated.
But as she walks away, she remembers Granny’s persistence in the face of cakes that wouldn’t rise and gnarly knots in her knitting, and decides it’s time for cardigan camouflage. Marjorie is going back - this time, in disguise. A cute and hilarious premise, motivated Marjorie is the epitome of a main character setting her sights on something and going for it, full stop.
Art by Lenny Wen
Intergenerational Joy
With hair flour-powdered and patterned accessories in place, Marjorie slips into the Senior Citizens Friends Group and is quickly embraced. It’s a perfect fit, just as Marjorie knew it would be. Her new friends have much to teach her and she eats it up like a warm chocolate-chip scone - a beautiful reminder of the many gifts of sharing time and experiences with neighbors and family members years our senior.
However, when a visitor to the group proposes an activity that’s not Marjorie’s cup of chamomile tea, she’s confronted with a choice. Should I cha-cha-cha, or choose to go?
Art by Lenny Wen
Making new friends involves taking risks, and things seldom go according to plan. But the friendships we forge always teach us things and help us grow, and our lives are all the richer for it — no matter our age, and no matter the age of our friends. OLD FRIENDS reminds us that inside, we are all kids with things to learn and things to share, and there’s always room for one more on the dance floor.
The Creators
Margaret Aitken is a Scottish writer for children. As a child, she could often be found outside hoping to stumble upon the characters of Brambly Hedge and Beatrix Potter. After studying medicine at the University of Glasgow, she worked as a doctor in the village of Doune, a filming location for Outlander and Game of Thrones. Along with her husband and three sons, Margaret is currently enjoying life in a New England-style farmhouse in Maine. When she isn’t writing she can mostly be found at the beach, in the garden, or baking something gluten-free. Visit Margaret online at www.margaretaitkenwrites.com.
Lenny Wen is a children’s book illustrator and author born and raised in Indonesia. She currently live in the countryside of Austria. Lenny loves to draw whimsical, spooky, funny, and nostalgic childhood illustrations, possessing a mixture of storytelling, imagination, and emotion. When not illustrating or writing, you might find Lenny staring at the trees, doodling bears in her sketchbook, filling up her cup with coffee, or hugging her dog a bit too much. Lenny’s clients include HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Little, Brown for Young Readers, Simon and Schuster and Candlewick Press. Visit Lenny online at www.lennywen.com.
One lucky reader will win
OLD FRIENDS,
signed by Margaret Aitken!
1. "Like" this post (click the heart below)
2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter
3. Retweet my contest tweet by 9/30/22
GOOD LUCK!
Signed copies of OLD FRIENDS are available through Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Maine. Click HERE to order today! OLD FRIENDS is also available now through your indie or bookseller of your choice.