Butterflies for Grandpa Joe

An engaging and tender story about a young boy’s determination to rescue his grandad from the numbing grief he is suffering after the death of his wife and return him to the warm and vibrant person he used to be.

Grandpa Joe used to love butterflies. Every weekend Ben would visit Grandpa Joe and Granny Lou helping Granny bake cakes while Grandpa Joe would go off ‘on safari’ in his large flower filled garden searching for new butterflies to snap with his camera. In the evenings  Ben would play cards with his grandparents and Joe would make everyone laugh, playing tricks and hiding cards up his sleeves. But since Granny Lou passed away Joe has changed and is no longer interested in anything except staring at his TV screen with the sound turned down. Ben cannot bear the idea that his Grandpa is slipping away and considers what he can do to bring ‘Grandpa Joe back to life’. After considerable thought Ben literally ‘hatches’ a plan – needless to say butterflies are heavily involved

Ben’s Mum, Stepdad and two little sisters also have important roles to play which both help and hinder the outcome of Ben’s scheme.

Despite the difficult subject matter Nicola Davies injects such lively charm into the characters of Ben and his family that the story never becomes maudlin or sentimental. Told with real warmth this is a endearing tale of family relationships.