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Grandma's Wisdom: Secure In His Love
“With God all things are possible.” ~Matthew 19:26
Grandma’s Wisdom is a high quality storybook, children’s activity book, and devotional exercise all in one. At first glance, it is eye-catching because the hard cover is imprinted with the image of a colorful patchwork quilt. Inside, the text is also printed in color. This 32-page gem of a book would make a nice gift for a special child in your life, and it is a perfect present for a grandmother to give to a grandchild.
Each culture, each place, has its own wisdom for living, as well as “grandma’s wisdom” descended from past generations. I remember how my grandmother always offered support and guidance through the trials of life. Grandma’s wisdom is like that of a sage; she always points you in the right direction and provides the right advice. Of course, the reason Grandma has all the answers is because she has His wisdom to glean from and share with her grandchildren to help them with their problems.
In this book, grandma’s scripturally sound instruction comes in the form of two historical fiction stories: “Joy” and “Faith.” Each story is followed by a page of thoughtful discussion questions. Grandma’s Wisdom also contains an introduction to Amish history and the Central Illinois Amish way of life. While the stories focus on two particular adventures in the Yoder family, they are based on situations that could happen to anyone at any time.
“Joy” is a touching story about an Amish girl, teaching us that inner beauty is more important than outward appearances. “Faith” is an exciting story about an Amish boy, showing us that even when we are feeling afraid and alone, God is always with us to help us overcome our fears. Both stories are told from grandma’s wise point of view, and her wisdom always includes a Bible verse or two. She explains, “As you continue to learn the scriptures in your heart, you will grow to be the children He wants you to be.”
Grandma’s Wisdom also includes five whole pages of paper dolls to color and cut out. There is a pocket inside the back cover so children can keep them neatly in the book so they will be ready to be played with each time the stories are read. The directions say that you can write on the pages with crayon or dry erase markers which you can then wipe off with a tissue. I haven’t tried it, but the pages are smooth and glossy, so it looks like it would work. The instructions also tell how to color the characters’ clothes in proper Amish colors.
Ideas are provided for activities in which the paper dolls are used for role-playing, creating 3-D scenes, and on magnetic boards illustrated with drawings of farmhouses, barns, etc. After reading the stories, children can answer the questions, then reenact the stories. This interactive hands-on approach helps to reinforce the priceless lessons learned. It is suggested to glue the cut-outs onto cardboard, but the paper is sturdy enough that you may not even need to. Or if you’re like me and don’t have the heart to cut such a beautiful book apart, you can simply photocopy the paper doll pages onto heavy card stock.
One other idea that is not mentioned in the book: the cut-out figures are the perfect size and shape for making into popsicle stick puppets. Simply cut out the figures, glue a popsicle stick onto the backs, make a puppet stage out of a curtain hung across a doorway or a big box, and act out the scenes. That’s what my kids like to do, and they also like to make up their own stories.
Grandma’s Wisdom is unique in that it isn’t just a collection of wise sayings and advice, but it is an interactive book that focuses on the positive relationship that is shared between a grandmother and her grandchildren. Grandparents are important members of the family. Their influence should never be underestimated. Children who live close to their grandparents are less fearful of old age and more respectful of the elderly. They also feel more connected to their family history and heritage, since grandparents are a direct link to the past. Open communication between grandparents and grandchildren helps to lessen the generational gap. Grandparents serve as role models, mentors, and supporters for their grandchildren. Grandparents have been around for a long time. Listen to them, and you may be surprised at how much you can learn from them.
Susan J. Fuller, the author of Grandma’s Wisdom, is a schoolteacher in Central Illinois who lives with her husband and son on the family farm. Mrs. Fuller would like to see all children realize their strength is in God. She says, “It's wonderful to learn the 3 R's and more, in order to be ready to work and live in this world, but knowing His Word and applying it to your life is what will make you truly fulfilled.” The lovely character illustrations in Grandma’s Wisdom were made by the author’s mother, Anna Jane Sager.
Grandma’s Wisdom is an ideal read-aloud for homeschoolers or families that want a unique learning experience for their children. The suggested age range for this book is 8-12, or it could be even younger with parental assistance. Grandma’s Wisdom was published by Selah Publishing Group in February 2004. ISBN: 1-58930-106-4
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