Grandma’s Little Tree
An adult reading companion for the story of Lucy and Grandma.
Learning focus
Notice how people and places change over time, and talk about experiences people can share across generations.
Children can point, talk, sign, draw or use a communication device. There are many ways to join in.
Before reading
- Look at the cover together. Who can you see? What are they looking at?
- Explain that an old photograph shows a moment from long ago.
- Ask: “What do you like doing with someone who cares for you?” Children do not need to share personal family information.
Words to explore
- Photo
- A picture taken with a camera.
- Little
- Small in size; in this story, Grandma was also young.
- Tree
- A plant with a woody trunk, branches and leaves.
- Then
- At an earlier time.
- Now
- At this time.
- Memory
- Something we remember.
Use pictures, gestures and familiar examples to explain each word.
During reading
- Read slowly with a warm voice. Pause so children can look at the illustrations.
- Use the book’s Talk Together button for page-specific questions.
- Invite children to join in with “little”, “Look!” and “Of course!” when they are ready.
- Compare the young tree with the tree now. Ask: “What has changed? What is still the same?”
- Reread a favourite page. Joining in is optional; listening and pointing count too.
After reading
- Recall the beginning, middle and end: Lucy finds a photo, learns about Grandma’s childhood, and makes a new memory with her.
- Ask: “What did Grandma and Lucy both enjoy?”
- Draw something that has grown or changed. Talk about what it was like then and what it is like now.
- Invite children to imagine a new memory Lucy and Grandma could make together.
About this edition
I Read Smart edition, 2026. Adapted from the shared reading book available through iroomhub.com. The story and eight illustrations are preserved from that source.
© 2026 I Read Smart. All rights reserved.