picture books
By Molly Beth Griffin
Illustrated by: Anait Semirdzhyan
Published by Charlesbridge
Hardcover Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-62354-652-6
Ages: 3–7
Available July 14, 2026
Everything Grandma Needs
When Grandma announces she is moving from her big old house to a little new condo, she and her family realize she has too many things. They just won’t fit in her new place! Luckily they have a solution: everyone will help Grandma downsize! But while they sort through, they realize that everyday items like art supplies, jewelry, and books possess unique memories and stories that they hold dear.
The family finds the solution in creating three piles: Keep, Donate, and Throw Away. As each pile grows, Grandma realizes it will be okay, so long as she saves space in her new condo—and her heart—for those she loves most.
Booklist, starred review
A little girl’s grandmother is preparing to move from a large house to a small condo, but it’s difficult for her to let go of the furniture, clothing, treasured objects, family photos, and other mementos of a life well lived. Written from the child’s point of view, this moving tale shows how sharing such a difficult task can make it easier for the person who must make the hard decisions about what is important to keep and what can easily be thrown out or given away rather than moved to one’s new home. Watching her grandmother struggle with indecision, the girl shares some advice that she has learned from her teacher: “If you’re overwhelmed by something tricky, start with the easiest part and work your way up.” This bit of wisdom helps Grandma make the tough choices that are filling her day. Both the first-person narrative and the warm, detailed illustrations contribute to the story’s broad appeal. The book concludes with practical advice from Griffin, who helped her mother downsize before a move, as well as tips for helping children let go of some possessions. A captivating book that celebrates empathy, practicality, and an intergenerational family’s shared experiences.
Kirkus Reviews
When Grandma feels overwhelmed by the enormity of downsizing from her large home to a small condominium, her grandchild makes an important suggestion.
The grandchild, who narrates, isn’t so sure about Grandma’s move: “Trouble is I like that big old house with the porch swing and the deep bathtub and the canopy bed where I sleep when I visit.” The youngster, Mom, and Grandma, all of whom are pale-skinned, start grouping items into three categories—keep, donate, and throw away—but the “keep” pile becomes unwieldy. But the narrator remembers a teacher’s wise words: “start with the easiest part and work your way up.” Beginning with tangled electrical cords and rolls of tape, over the course of a week the trio eventually declutter the house all the way to an acceptable outcome. All three characters exhibit warmth and respect for each other: Mom proposes a storage unit when Grandma’s reluctant to throw things out, and, later, the little one insists that Grandma keep a pendant that was a gift from Grandpa. Sensitive, quietly humorous text is well matched by softly colored pen-and-ink drawings. Together, they capture subtle mood changes as three generations sort through years of accumulated belongings, all steeped in emotion. The tale ends sweetly and without drama—reminiscent of the late Robert McCloskey’s picture books but with a contemporary feel.
A gentle, useful, and empathetic resource for anyone facing the often painful prospect of decluttering.
School Library Journal
A little girl with pale skin and her mother help Grandma with the difficult task of downsizing. They have the usual Keep, Donate, and Throw Away piles, but choosing what goes where is overwhelming until the child remembers her teacher’s advice to tackle a tricky project by starting with something easy. It’s easy to say goodbye to random power cords, extra rolls of tape, and china for 12. With the easy stuff out of the way, the sentimental decisions aren’t as challenging. The bin of puppets will go to the girl’s house. Grandma will keep the cookbook with her mother’s handwriting in the margins. They have some fun with a fashion show, and, in the end, everything, including Grandma, fits into her new condo. Endearing illustrations crafted with an assured pencil line and colored with washes show a vigorous grandma in sweatpants with only a little gray in her straight black hair. It is refreshing to see a child being the support for her grandmother when picture books often depict grandparents as the wise elders. An author’s note and clutter-clearing tips, while sensible, seem of most interest to adults. VERDICT Pictures and text create a warm and satisfying story that should appeal to a wide audience.
Everything Grandma Needs
By Molly Beth Griffin
Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan
When Grandma announces she is moving from her big old house to a little new condo, she and her family realize she has too many things. They just won’t fit in her new place! Luckily they have a solution: everyone will help Grandma downsize! But while they sort through, they realize that everyday items like art supplies, jewelry, and books possess unique memories and stories that they hold dear.
The family finds the solution in creating three piles: Keep, Donate, and Throw Away. As each pile grows, Grandma realizes it will be okay, so long as she saves space in her new condo—and her heart—for those she loves most.
Booklist, starred review
A little girl’s grandmother is preparing to move from a large house to a small condo, but it’s difficult for her to let go of the furniture, clothing, treasured objects, family photos, and other mementos of a life well lived. Written from the child’s point of view, this moving tale shows how sharing such a difficult task can make it easier for the person who must make the hard decisions about what is important to keep and what can easily be thrown out or given away rather than moved to one’s new home. Watching her grandmother struggle with indecision, the girl shares some advice that she has learned from her teacher: “If you’re overwhelmed by something tricky, start with the easiest part and work your way up.” This bit of wisdom helps Grandma make the tough choices that are filling her day. Both the first-person narrative and the warm, detailed illustrations contribute to the story’s broad appeal. The book concludes with practical advice from Griffin, who helped her mother downsize before a move, as well as tips for helping children let go of some possessions. A captivating book that celebrates empathy, practicality, and an intergenerational family’s shared experiences.
Kirkus Reviews
When Grandma feels overwhelmed by the enormity of downsizing from her large home to a small condominium, her grandchild makes an important suggestion.
The grandchild, who narrates, isn’t so sure about Grandma’s move: “Trouble is I like that big old house with the porch swing and the deep bathtub and the canopy bed where I sleep when I visit.” The youngster, Mom, and Grandma, all of whom are pale-skinned, start grouping items into three categories—keep, donate, and throw away—but the “keep” pile becomes unwieldy. But the narrator remembers a teacher’s wise words: “start with the easiest part and work your way up.” Beginning with tangled electrical cords and rolls of tape, over the course of a week the trio eventually declutter the house all the way to an acceptable outcome. All three characters exhibit warmth and respect for each other: Mom proposes a storage unit when Grandma’s reluctant to throw things out, and, later, the little one insists that Grandma keep a pendant that was a gift from Grandpa. Sensitive, quietly humorous text is well matched by softly colored pen-and-ink drawings. Together, they capture subtle mood changes as three generations sort through years of accumulated belongings, all steeped in emotion. The tale ends sweetly and without drama—reminiscent of the late Robert McCloskey’s picture books but with a contemporary feel.
A gentle, useful, and empathetic resource for anyone facing the often painful prospect of decluttering.
School Library Journal
A little girl with pale skin and her mother help Grandma with the difficult task of downsizing. They have the usual Keep, Donate, and Throw Away piles, but choosing what goes where is overwhelming until the child remembers her teacher’s advice to tackle a tricky project by starting with something easy. It’s easy to say goodbye to random power cords, extra rolls of tape, and china for 12. With the easy stuff out of the way, the sentimental decisions aren’t as challenging. The bin of puppets will go to the girl’s house. Grandma will keep the cookbook with her mother’s handwriting in the margins. They have some fun with a fashion show, and, in the end, everything, including Grandma, fits into her new condo. Endearing illustrations crafted with an assured pencil line and colored with washes show a vigorous grandma in sweatpants with only a little gray in her straight black hair. It is refreshing to see a child being the support for her grandmother when picture books often depict grandparents as the wise elders. An author’s note and clutter-clearing tips, while sensible, seem of most interest to adults. VERDICT Pictures and text create a warm and satisfying story that should appeal to a wide audience.
Published by Charlesbridge
Hardcover Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-62354-652-6
Ages: 3–7
Published by Minnesota Historical Society Press
- Hardcover
- 32 pages
- 10 x 10 inches
- Fully illustrated
- ISBN: 978-1-68134-343-3
Available October 2026
The Babysitter Tree
Story by Molly Beth Griffin
Illustrations by Jennifer A. Bell
Young black bears tumble and spar, rest and recharge, and—most importantly—find safety and security in the shaded sanctuary of a white pine tree.
When a mama black bear goes foraging, she leaves her cubs with their babysitter—a huge white pine tree—where they’ll be safe until she returns. They are sad to be left behind, but soon they are playing in the shade of the tree. All is well, until a coyote’s scent sends them climbing high into the branches. Will mama come back? Will she scare the danger away? The cubs discover that their mama will always take care of them, even when that means leaving them with another trusted caretaker.
Based on the real behavior of black bears in the wild, The Babysitter Tree is for every child who has been left with a sitter and has missed their grown-up. It is for all of us, at any age, who appreciate reassurances that we will be cared for, protected, comforted, and eventually reunited with the ones we love most. And it is for all the wonderful babysitters and caregivers who help our little ones feel safe—and who make parenting possible.
Charming illustrations in acrylics, graphite, and colored pencil capture the roly-poly playfulness of bear cubs and the expansive, protective branches of that icon of the northland, the white pine, their babysitter tree.
The Babysitter Tree
Story by Molly Beth Griffin
Illustrations by Jennifer A. Bell
Young black bears tumble and spar, rest and recharge, and—most importantly—find safety and security in the shaded sanctuary of a white pine tree.
When a mama black bear goes foraging, she leaves her cubs with their babysitter—a huge white pine tree—where they’ll be safe until she returns. They are sad to be left behind, but soon they are playing in the shade of the tree. All is well, until a coyote’s scent sends them climbing high into the branches. Will mama come back? Will she scare the danger away? The cubs discover that their mama will always take care of them, even when that means leaving them with another trusted caretaker.
Based on the real behavior of black bears in the wild, The Babysitter Tree is for every child who has been left with a sitter and has missed their grown-up. It is for all of us, at any age, who appreciate reassurances that we will be cared for, protected, comforted, and eventually reunited with the ones we love most. And it is for all the wonderful babysitters and caregivers who help our little ones feel safe—and who make parenting possible.
Charming illustrations in acrylics, graphite, and colored pencil capture the roly-poly playfulness of bear cubs and the expansive, protective branches of that icon of the northland, the white pine, their babysitter tree.
Published by Minnesota Historical Society Press
- Hardcover
- 32 pages
- 10 x 10 inches
- Fully illustrated
- ISBN: 978-1-68134-343-3
Available October 2026
Published by Teacher Created Materials
ISBN: 9798885549295
Ages: 3–7
36 pages
8 x 10 inches
Available October 2026
Your Fantastical Fort
By Molly Beth Griffin
Illustrated by Chris Park
A story that inspires imagination and helps kids feel safe when life gets overwhelming
Forts are fun to build, and even the simplest materials—couch cushions, chairs, blankets, and cardboard boxes—can turn into sailing ships, dragon’s dens, or magical castles. In Your Fantastical Fort, children discover that forts have healing power, too. Through poetic text and expressive illustrations, this book shows how forts can become quiet corners and safe spaces where kids can take time out from the real world—especially when they feel sad, disappointed, or scared. When they need quiet, they can tuck themselves inside. And when they’re ready, they can invite the people who matter most to share their special world.
By celebrating imaginative play as a calming strategy and highlighting kids’ natural creativity, this book offers a reassuring, heartwarming reminder that every child can build a space where they feel safe, understood, and wonderfully themselves.
Your Fantastical Fort:
- Encourages independence and resilience through creative play during moments of fear, frustration, sadness, or overwhelm
- Offers support for kids coping with difficult news or family stressors, from climate change to divorce or financial strain
- Includes a note for adults and tips for building fantastical forts at home
- Your Fantastical Fort is ideal for anyone seeking support to help children navigate big feelings.
Your Fantastical Fort
By Molly Beth Griffin
Illustrated by Chris Park
A story that inspires imagination and helps kids feel safe when life gets overwhelming
Forts are fun to build, and even the simplest materials—couch cushions, chairs, blankets, and cardboard boxes—can turn into sailing ships, dragon’s dens, or magical castles. In Your Fantastical Fort, children discover that forts have healing power, too. Through poetic text and expressive illustrations, this book shows how forts can become quiet corners and safe spaces where kids can take time out from the real world—especially when they feel sad, disappointed, or scared. When they need quiet, they can tuck themselves inside. And when they’re ready, they can invite the people who matter most to share their special world.
By celebrating imaginative play as a calming strategy and highlighting kids’ natural creativity, this book offers a reassuring, heartwarming reminder that every child can build a space where they feel safe, understood, and wonderfully themselves.
Your Fantastical Fort:
- Encourages independence and resilience through creative play during moments of fear, frustration, sadness, or overwhelm
- Offers support for kids coping with difficult news or family stressors, from climate change to divorce or financial strain
- Includes a note for adults and tips for building fantastical forts at home
- Your Fantastical Fort is ideal for anyone seeking support to help children navigate big feelings.
Published by Teacher Created Materials
ISBN: 9798885549295
Ages: 3–7
36 pages
8 x 10 inches
Available October 2026