The Elder Statesman

In Grandpa’s Hands: A Child’s Celebration of Family
By Marlene E. Uhrik
Illustrated by Barbara Cervone
White Stage Press
Hard cover $13.95 

By BILL DUNCAN
The News-Review

In honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, June 15, the book review presentation today is a children’s book, but it surely relates to the fathers of Douglas County. "In Grandpa’s Hands," the author notes is a book about fathers and grandfathers, but to her, "Grandpas are the keeper of the family, the strength, the history and the wisdom of generations. In that prelude, Marlene Uhrik sums up her cleverly designed children’s book that features 12 poignant pencil drawings by Barbara Cervone, the illustrator.

"The book was created as a result of my experience seeing my elderly dad go through a life-threatening surgery," she said. "It was the long battle to recovery that had me reflecting on what my dad meant to me and the entire family — his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Through his struggle to recovery, it became more apparent who he was, not only to his family, but his friends, neighbors and the world."

She notes that her purpose in writing the book is to promote communication and emotional connectedness that comes through a nurturing relationship between children and grandparents. Uhrick holds a doctorate degree in education and is a nationally and internationally recognized children’s advocate.

She has taught teachers from around the world how to inspire young children to learn and has received awards for improving the quality of life for children and families. She is currently a consultant for the California Department of Education in Sacramento where she lives with her husband. She has two grown children and three grandchildren.

The book itself is a simple, but beautifully stated and illustrated children’s story of grandpa’s hands doing everyday things to which children can relate. It is told in a few words, sometimes no more than six leading into the life-like illustrations of Barbara Cervone, so detailed that the callused, wrinkled hands seem to reach out to the child.

Cervone, a watercolor and oil landscape artist from Napa Valley, Calif. said she could relate to the concept of Uhrik’s books "because I am blessed with nine grandchildren."

The book is 32 pages in a 9 by 9 inch square format, a sturdily made  hard cover book for children one to eight years old. It will make a perfect gift to a child from a grandparent.

(Bill Duncan is editor of The Senior Times. He also writes a weekly column on the Opinion Page of The News-Review every Thursday. He is also a grandpa and a great-grandpa.)