Description
Book SynopsisA picture book telling a story of a grandpa wearing pink trousers. Why is he doing that? Is he crazy? Or a hero? Sometimes quiet heroism can be more effective than a thousand grand gestures.
The grandfather of our story isn’t like other grandparents. He wears pink trousers! And that’s not all that’s strange about him. People say that he’s a strange old codger altogether. Some even think that he’s grumpy.
But as his grandson grows up, he comes to understand why Grandad does strange things like refusing to give up his silly trousers. The child reader of this thought-provoking story will learn that quiet heroism can be more effective than a thousand grand gestures.
Trade ReviewSelected for the CBC’s 2022 October Hot Off The Press Reading List (https://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc-book-lists/october-2022/).
"This book will get your brain working on so many levels. Love the illustrations & book layout. And those endpapers! A must-see."—Picturebook Pile Instagram
"Is this Grandad the mean, cheap fellow everyone assumes, or is there something else going on? Only his grandson knows for sure. A book about being a conscientious consumer. Clever little dickens of a book, this one. You look at that cover and assume it’ll be one thing and then it turns out to be another. In fact, the point of the entire book is to turn your expectations on their head. The story follows a grumpy old man and lists his many sins. He won’t buy roses for his wife and he flushes his toilet with old bathwater. He won’t throw anything out. You just sort of assume the guy is stingy, but then he has a grandson and dedicates himself wholly to the kid. And when the boy later asks his grandpa why he does the things he does, you get this amazing lesson in sustainability. It’s probably one of the smartest books I’ve seen on how our assumptions need to change if the world is going to change." —Betsy Bird, SLJ, 2022 Translated Picture Books list
"Oh some books just hit that spot in your heart where the love for specific loves in your life live on forever. My mom would love this book so much and she would wear those pink trousers, refused to even use a plastic trash bag even if it was recycled, never bought cut flowers for my entire life, had an outhouse rather than an indoor toilet and the list goes on. I know that my mom and Grandad would get along well. Like Grandad, it was the love and inquiries from her grandchildren that delighted her. One person can make a difference when they share the reason and intentions of their actions with the next generation." —Librarian, Neill Public Library
"This Czech picture book is utterly delightful in its brusque delivery and both the tone and art is very different from most American fare." —Association of California Libraries
"The story urges readers to look beyond surface judgments and prompts introspection, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior. “Grandad’s Pink Trousers” transcends the typical narrative of familial love, serving as a catalyst for contemplation. Truhelková’s narrative skillfully invites readers to question assumptions and delve into the intricacies of human behavior. Andrea Tachezy’s illustrations, though sparse, carry a weighty impact. Muted colors dominate the scenes, except for the vivid pink of the trousers, enhancing the emotional resonance of the story. The deliberate use of color accentuates the key elements, directing the reader’s focus to the characters’ emotional journey." —Alexander Fernández-Pons, Bookshelf
