Numerous books on the market aim to help individuals record memorable narratives from their lives. These books typically center on familiar prompts, like “Who was your closest friend in primary school?” or “How did you meet your partner?” Available in an array of shapes and sizes, these books either guide us in chronicling our own tales or in gathering stories from our elderly relatives. Some emphasize our lineage records, while others compile a multitude of life stories. Their intent is to motivate and aid in documenting these narratives.
Among these is an outstanding book, Stories from my Grandparent: An Heirloom Journal for Your Grandchild, which draws its inspiration from grandparents. It is currently available at a limited-time price of $15.19.
A distinguishing feature of this book is its fresh approach to the standard narrative prompts. Susan Adcox, the author, deviates from the typical, dull questions and instead encourages more engaging deliveries. For instance, instead of asking the grandparent to jot down their least favorite food, she suggests a much more stimulating cue such as, “There was an expectation for children to finish their meals and it was a struggle for me when these foods were served.” Here are a few other examples of her inventive prompts:
- “In my first classroom, we utilized traditional chalkboards, competed in spelling bees, and employed board drills, while computer technology was non-existent. Here’s my recollection of this learning environment.”
- “I still fondly remember one particular birthday gift that I received one year.”
- “Being independent and living away from my family for the first time was a personally enlightening experience for me.”
The book is not only remarkable for its engaging content but also its aesthetic and functional design. It sports a durable hardback exterior with a metal comb binding on the inside, ensuring the book sits perfectly on the shelf while also being easy to write in.
With its unique approach to sparking stories, this book makes the process of storytelling both effortless and enjoyable.
Copies of Stories from my Grandparent: An Heirloom Journal for Your Grandchild are readily available for all grandparents from Family Roots Publishing.