Lucas and Jack (Ellie Royce & Andrew McLean, Working Title Press)

Every week Lucas and his mum visit Great Grandpop in the nursing home, and every week Lucas waits outside getting grumpy and bored. One week, while he is waiting, Lucas meets another occupant called Jack, and with Jack’s encouragement he comes to see the exciting, vibrant people that the nursing home residents used to be. And still are! Jack’s ‘tricks’ help Lucas to understand his great-grandfather and appreciate him for the person he is. Lucas and Jack is a tale of discovery and love, gently told and beautifully illustrated. Its colourful, evocative illustrations and thoughtful narration make the story accessible to a wide range of readers aged from four years. Lucas and Jack is the kind of book that should be on all family bookshelves, with its message that we should remember our elders for who they are, what they have achieved and the amazing lives they have led, rather than seeing only their frailty.  

Natalie Crawford is a children’s book specialist at Dymocks Claremont