Pap Pap goes to Paris

By Janie Dempsey Watts, Illustrated by Lyn Martin

Reviewed for the NABBW by Anne Holmes

Snow globes and the winter holidays always seem to go together, so this is a wonderful time for me to share author and grandmother Janie Dempsey Watts’s delightful picture book about Ricky, his parents and his grandfather, who are lucky enough to live together.

The book, available in both paperback and Kindle, is beautifully illustrated by Lyn Martin, who has previously illustrated more than 35 children’s books.

Not quite 30 pages long, the book is a perfect length for bedtime storytelling, especially if you’re looking for a book which will stimulate your child’s imagination.

As the story begins, readers learn that after showing Ricky a snow globe featuring the Eiffel Tower, his grandfather explains that he and Ricky’s Uncle Tony are going on a short trip across the ocean to place called Paris, where the real-life Eiffel Tower can be found.

Ricky, of course is fascinated, and wants to go along.

The rest of the story explains how circumstances change — sadly Uncle Ricky broke his leg in a bicycle accident and can’t travel — and lucky Ricky gets to accompany Grandpa in his place.

The book won the Georgia Independent Author award in 2019, and recognition by B.R.A.G. – the Book readers Appreciation Group, and we’re sure you and the special children you read it to, will enjoy and appreciate it as well.

Especially because you’ll all learn a little bit about some of the many landmarks and the undeniable food and culture of Paris — not to forget the opportunity to learn a few French words in the process. Plus, you’ll learn more about the Eiffel Tower, whether Ricky and Pap Pap are able to climb it, and why Ricky nicknames it “asparagus.”

Highly Recommended.

Anne Holmes NABBW’s “Boomer in Chief”

As "Boomer in Chief" of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women, Anne is passionate about educating, empowering and enriching the lives of Baby Boomer Women, as we now begin to age beyond our middle years and enthusiastically launch ourselves into life’s next stage – which most people call old age. We Boomers know aging doesn’t have to diminish us. We still have a lot to offer the world, and we continue to be ready and willing to enthusiastically participate.

Actively involved with a number of Boomer-focused organizations and committees, Anne keeps a steady finger on the pulse of this still-spirited generation, with the goal of helping us all to enjoy life, stay healthy and continue to live lives that are rich in every sense of the word. Beyond that, Anne is dedicated to helping facilitate the positive interaction between Baby Boomers and the hard-working younger generations who are readying themselves to “take the world’s reins” and continue our efforts to move society in a positive direction.