Older Not Wiser

LoveReading4Kids Says

By the always-current Sophy Henn this new series for children just starting to read on their own is to be celebrated. Jeanie, aged 7 ¾, has a special relationship with her grandma, known to the family as Bad Nana.  She doesn’t mind her name, in fact, Jeanie says, ‘I think she quite likes it’. Bad Nana isn’t really bad, and if she’s often up-to-no-good, completely embarrassing or a little bit cheeky, she’s always good fun.  There’s certainly lots of fun to be had in the different stories Jeanie shares with us.

Children are fascinated by the way old people have a license to misbehave, and they will be delighted by Bad Nana’s exploits which break all the rules of good behaviour. The illustrations, also by Sophy Henn, are stylish and distinctive, but children will immediately recognise themselves in Jeanie.

This lovely, hugely appealing book is one to recommend to fans of Lauren Child and her Clarice Bean stories in particular. 

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About Older Not Wiser

Jeanie's Grandma is BAD. Not bad like a vampire or a gangster or anything, more like... up to no good. Sometimes she can be a bit embarrassing but most of the time she's REALLY fun, especially when she gets Jeanie involved in her mischievous schemes. Everyone says she's old enough to know better... but she doesn't seem to care one bit. In fact, Jeanie thinks she might quite like it! Bad Nana is a deliciously wicked new series for ages six and up, told through the eyes of 8-year-old Jeanie.

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