Grandpa versus Swing product reviews

Whilst my kids are getting older, sometimes there is just something nice about reading a quick and fun picture book (and it helps that the eleven year old still loves their picture books). Whilst my Grandpa never got up to any mischief like this, it did make me think of him and how cheeky he could be at times, the kids said it made them think of their Grandad (which was both happy and sad as he died recently and they adored him). Thanks to YouTube we have seen plenty of videos of adults using the toddler swings and getting them stuck, so this book isn't outside the realm of plausibility.

This is a fun, well paced book. I enjoyed the silly grandpa getting himself into mischief and the kids working hard to free him from his predicament and the various ways they attempt to do so. The kids all thought it was funny that Grandma turned up with full kit in hand, ready to release him from wherever he had gotten himself stuck, and that she didn't need anyone to fetch him, she was simply prepared for something to happen. At the end of the book, even the fourteen year old who thinks they are above such books, said that it was a fun story and that it wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. This is an entertaining read, good for the family and one I have since recommended in the shop I work in.

Miss Four and Mr Two were, as usual, delighted to be presented with a new book and asked to review it. They were even more excited when they realised their Nana was going to visit and could be persuaded to do the first reading with them. While their mother was out of the room, they settled down to listen - and within seconds Nana was in fits of laughter as she read it. Intrigued, mum came back in to see what was happening. Before they had finished the next page, she had joined the other three in their uncontrolled giggling fits. Nana stoically tried to read on, but she kept having to stop to wipe her eyes and catch her breath.

That was an auspicious start to the book. The whole concept appealed to the children's sense of humour: the idea of Grandpa launching himself into a kiddy swing and promptly getting stuck was an image worth relishing. They have two Grandpas so they had to work out which of them might be silly enough to get himself into the same situation. When Grandma came to the rescue, they were most relieved - and impressed that she was able to fix the swing again. It is so important to have at least one practical grandparent!

The rhyming structure of the story ensured that the children quickly learned the endings of each line. It was not too long before Miss Four was able to flick through the book without adult assistance and "read" the book to her little brother; she also took it to bed with her so she could reread it on her own. Both of them loved the section about the swing being stuck tight to Grandpa's bottom. They had already been forewarned because the cover design depicts Grandpa with his bottom sticking out the opening at the back of the swing enclosure. That in itself is hilarious because everyone under the age of eight (and sometimes older!) knows that bottoms are funny anyway. And Grandpa's brightly coloured trousers ensure that the reader does not miss the effect.

Equally funny were the contortions Grandpa went through to get free. The children did not know which was funnier - the face Grandpa was pulling as he wriggled around in mid-air or the way the grandchildren were too busy laughing at him to be of much help. The illustrations capture the humour of the story beautifully; they are bright and clearly drawn so that Mr Two had no problem understanding exactly what was going on. It will not be long before he too is able to repeat the story to himself, using the drawings as prompts.