Grandmother School

By: Rina Singh

Narrated by: Kirstie Hudson

Every morning, a young girl walks her grandmother to the Aajibaichi Shala, the school that was built for the grandmothers in her village to have a place to learn to read and write.

The narrator beams with pride as she drops her grandmother off with the other aajis to practice the alphabet and learn simple arithmetic. A moving story about family, women and the power of education—when Aaji learns to spell her name you’ll want to dance along with her.

Women in countless countries continue to endure the limitations of illiteracy. Unjust laws have suppressed the rights of girls and women and kept many from getting an education and equal standing in society. Based on a true story from the village of Phangane, India, this book tells the story of the grandmothers who got to go to school for the first time in their lives.

Orca Book Publishers is pleased to offer Grandmother School in two accessible editions. The audiobook features alternate text descriptions of images, including the cover. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

©2020 Rina Singh (P)2024 Orca Book Publishers

Critic reviews

“Offers its readers a poignantly lively picture book that expressly reveals the power and freedom found in words for women across the world. How great a treat it will be to read this book in a grandmother’s lap. Highly Recommended.”―CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“A moving story about family, women and the power of education―when Aaji learns to spell her name you’ll want to dance along with her.”―Here Wee Read blog

“Joy is evident on the page—and infectious...A spirited book about gender, age, rights, and the importance of education.”―Kirkus Reviews