Stark, Ulf

"Why doesn't Berra have a grandfather? And how can he get one? Ulf suggests that there are plenty of old men at the retirement home. Berra and Ulf go there together to find one--ideally one who eats pig's trotters, invites you to tea, and can teach you to whistle. A funny, sensitive, illustrated chapter book about a friendship across generations. Stark's writing covers every emotion, sometimes in the same sentence"--From the publisher's web site.

Grandpa hates being in hospital. He thinks only of the place he was happiest---the island where he used to live. He wants to go back, but they won't let him out of the hospital. So Gottfried Junior, his namesake, helps Grandpa make a plan to run away. They think of everything. Their deception is so complete that when Gottfried Junior finally decides to tell the truth, no one believes him.

"Grump, the Yule Tomte, lives all alone, which is exactly how he likes it! He's waiting for Christmas to arrive when all of a sudden a gust of wind steals his mittens from the washing line and his hat from his head. That's the last straw--he won't be the Yule Tomte anymore! Binny and Barty, the rabbit children, live with their family in the forest. They've never heard of Christmas, or the Yule Tomte, until the wind brings them some strange gifts..."--Back cover.

Tonight Dad wants to show Ulf something very special: the universe. Of course, they can't possibly embark on such a daring adventure unprepared, so they wrap up warm, gather provisions, and then off they go. It's a long walk, but eventually they get there. Along the way, they learn that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination, and sometimes the biggest lessons happen when you least expect them. Full-Color Illustrations, Original Artwork.