Willa is excited! Her school principal has just announced they are going to have a Grandparent’s Day at school. They will have a lovely morning tea, put on a concert and meet everyone’s grandparents.

Like Willa, her classmates are excited too, well most of them. Some are suddenly upset knowing their grandparents can’t come for some reason, or won’t come because they don’t like that sort of thing.

Even Willa is caught out without a grandparent. Her grandparents are all away on ‘bucket-list’ trips and her best old-age friend Frank at the Sunset Views Retirement Village next door, isn’t keen on the idea either.

That’s not the only thing that’s worrying Willa. Mrs Wilson (General Manager of Sunset Views) has threatened to cancel afternoon teas and day outings for the residents. She wants ideas to raise money for these outings, and pronto.

Willa and her best same-age friend Tae love visiting Sunset Views with Willa’s albino wolfhound Woof. One of their favourite parts, besides cheering up the residents of course, is the lovely afternoon teas. Willa puts her thinking cap on, because she’s the type of person who likes to solve problems.

Speaking of Woof – he’s acting very strange lately. He digs his way out of the backyard, or opens the gate by himself. He vanishes from Willa’s side when they are out and worries her tremendously. What if he doesn’t come back?

All these problems need to be sorted out, and Willa suddenly has a brilliant idea. Tae thinks it is anyway. They get to work, cheering up residents and classmates and working on Frank to be part of it all. As for why Woof is wandering? They soon discover the reason for that too.

The third in this gorgeous series for 6+ readers, Grandparents for Hire showcases Willa’s positive personality well. She cares for those around her, including her classmates and the elderly residents at a local retirement home.

Always a solution seeker, Willa works out a way to save her school Grandparent’s Day and future day trips for the residents, by combining both problems.

Her character is perfectly captured by the author in age appropriate humour, questions and musings, and always makes me smile.

The question that rises often with series is, “Do you have to read them in order?” I don’t think it is totally necessary after Book 1 – Mimi is Missing, but readers will enjoy the series more if read in order.

Definitely one of my favourite Junior Chapter Book series. 

Author – Jacqueline Harvey

Illustrator – A Yi

Age – 6+

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(2022, Penguin Aust, Series, Family, Humour, Funny, Old people, Elderly, Retirement Home, Dogs, Animals, Grandparents, Nana, Poppa, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandad, Ideas, Problems, Positivity, Solutions, Mystery, Classmates, School, Friendships)