I used this book as my choice for my third year English assignment, so I spent a good while studying it and somehow am only just now adding it to my goodreads!

This is an absolutely beautiful book. It instantly made its way into my all times favourites folder, and even after writing a stupid amount of words on how it could be used in a primary classroom, I somehow still love it beyond words (an impressive achievement).

Grandad’s Camper is a colourful, inviting and deceivingly simple picturebook, telling the story of a young girl who goes to visit her Grandad. Whilst there she explores the house, picks fruit in the garden allotment, and plays hide and seek. Her favourite thing to do with Grandad, however, is to snuggle up on the sofa and be told stories of his adventures with his departed partner, Gramps. The story takes the reader through a heartwarming tale, watching a progression of old photos and memories of Grandad and Gramps together, and all the adventures they went on in their campervan. When asked why he doesn’t go on adventures anymore, Grandad tells his granddaughter that it’s just not the same without Gramps. But she has a very clever idea.
(Yes I may have stolen some of that from my assignment. It's been handed in now it's fine...)

What really draws me to this book as a queer teacher is the massive lack of queer elders in literature, but especially in children's literature. It's so nice to see such a high quality and gorgeously illustrated book with this kind or representation, and it was so much fun to go hunting for more to add to my supporting texts section. It wasn't so fun to barely find any, but the few I did find were great!

I've never felt so safe and welcome reading a book before.
The narrative is short and simple, which is usually not a personal favourite of mine, but I also appreciate how well the writing invites discussion between readers. It's almost open ended in it's call to point things out, add extra details or questions.
I know that if this book were read with a child, the exchange would be filled with much more than just the words written on the page, and so I can understand and appreciate the simplicity.

The illustrations are absolutely amazing! I was skeptical at first of whether I would enjoy the style. I'm still a little undecided on small details such as the scribble-trees and completely empty skies, but by the end of the book I had mostly come to love it.
The star of the book for me is the diversity an range of people we meet. The incredible amount of clear to see differences, never hidden and always accommodated, both in highlighted perspectives and as background surprises had me smiling constantly.
Where is this super accessible and welcoming waterpark and can I go please?!