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  • Published: 1 August 2016
  • ISBN: 9780670078172
  • Imprint: Viking
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $19.99

Grandpa's Big Adventure



Paul Newman and Tom Jellett take you on a charming trip full of wild dangers and extraordinary delights . . . and the joy of sharing a tall tale.

I’m afraid of the water . . . but Grandpa loves it, and he’s teaching me to swim. Maybe if I can swim, I’ll have adventures like him one day . . .

  • Published: 1 August 2016
  • ISBN: 9780670078172
  • Imprint: Viking
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $19.99

About the authors

Paul Newman

Paul Newman is an Irish-born author, illustrator and art teacher based in Sydney. He has worked in Dublin, London, Hong Kong and Sydney for a variety of clients in advertising, newspapers and magazines such as; Leo Burnett, The South China Morning Post and The Irish Independent. Most recently he has been an editorial illustrator for News Limited working on the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, The Australian and The Weekend Australian. He teaches observational drawing at Enmore Design Centre.

He is the recipient of three Stanley awards for illustration.

Grandpa's Big Adventure, his first book for children, was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards (5 to 8 Years category) and was a Notable Book of the CBCA Book of Year awards.

Tom Jellett

Tom Jellett is an Australian book and editorial illustrator based in Sydney. Some of his work includes the Sporty Kids and The Besties series written by Felice Arena, Grandpa's Big Adventure and Grandpa's Space Adventure written by Paul Newman, his picture books with Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting, The Gobbledygook is Eating a Book and The Gobbledygook and the Scribbledynoodle, and his acclaimed picture books with Michael Wagner Why I Love Footy, Why I Love Summer and Dirt by Sea.
His work can also be seen in a number of magazines and newspapers.

Praise for Grandpa's Big Adventure

Grandpa’s Big Adventure is an outstanding story for little ones that ticks many boxes: the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren, the irresistible lure of an adventure, ludicrous scenarios that ignite giggles, and best of all, a strong message about the importance of learning to swim.

Katie Oliveira da Silveira, Babyology

... this is a fun book from start to finish.

Moira Robinson, Magpies

The warm bond of trust between grandfather and grandson comes across on every page of this charming picture book, yet the quirky tale is a modern and tongue-in-cheek twist on that bond, with not a hint of sentimentality. Highly recommended.

Lesley Reed, Creative Kids Tales

Tom Jellett’s illustrations are always spot on – full of colour and expression. This wonderful celebration of the relationship between grandparents and grandchild quickly became an absolute favourite in our house and is now on high rotation during story time. I sincerely hope we get to read about more of Grandpa’s adventures in the future. Highly recommended.

The Kids Book Shop

The humorous counter-play between Newman's text and Tom Jellett's illustrations explores every nuance of word play, exaggeration, whimsy and just plain exaggeration in Grandpa's story. This extended grandpa joke is sure to entertain, but at its heart is a caring grandfather doing whatever he can to reassure his grandson.

Stephanie Reeder, Canberra Times

Awards & recognition

Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards

Shortlisted  •  2017  •  5–8 Years

CBCA Book of the Year Awards

Notable Book  •  2017  •  Picture Book