A Grandparent's Guide to Sharing Woodland Wonder Tales

Grandparents hold a special place in a child's reading life. Whether it's a weekend visit, a video call, or a stack of books mailed across the country, grandparents often introduce some of the most treasured stories in a child's early years. If you're a grandparent looking to share the Woodland Wonder Tales series with your grandchild, here's a practical guide to making that experience as warm and memorable as possible.

Why Grandparent Reading Time Is So Special

Reading with a grandparent often carries a different rhythm than reading with a parent, typically slower, less rushed, and rich with the grandparent's own storytelling flourishes, voices, and personal anecdotes woven in alongside the book itself. This unhurried quality makes grandparent reading time uniquely memorable, and often becomes some of a child's most treasured early memories.

Getting Started With the Series

If your grandchild hasn't yet met Hariët the Hedgehog and Finnigan the Fox, start with Book 1: Hariët the Hedgehog and Finnigan the Fox, which introduces the characters and their friendship in a warm, accessible way perfect for a first reading experience together. You can learn more about the characters yourself first by reading our character guide, which will help you bring extra warmth and familiarity to your reading.

Reading Together in Person

• Let your grandchild choose the pace. Some children want to move quickly through a story; others linger over illustrations and details. Following their lead helps make the experience feel unhurried and special.
• Add your own voices and flourishes. Don't worry about reading 'perfectly'; a distinctive voice for Finnigan or a dramatic pause before a big reveal often becomes part of what your grandchild remembers and loves.
• Connect the story to your own memories. If a scene reminds you of your own childhood adventures or a favourite family memory, share it. These small personal connections often become just as memorable as the story itself.
• Follow up with an activity. A simple colouring page from our free colouring page PDF download makes a lovely follow-up activity after a reading session together.

Sharing the Books From a Distance

Many grandparents live far from their grandchildren, but distance doesn't have to mean missing out on story time together.

Video Call Reading Sessions

Schedule a regular video call reading time, holding up your own copy of the book so your grandchild can follow along with the pictures on their end. Our printable PDF format makes it easy for both households to have identical copies, ensuring everyone is looking at the same page at the same time.

Recorded Read-Alouds

If live video calls are difficult to schedule, consider recording yourself reading a chapter aloud. Parents can play this recording for their child whenever it fits into the family's routine, letting your voice and warmth reach your grandchild even when a live call isn't possible.

Mail a Physical Copy

There's something special about receiving a book in the mail from a grandparent. Consider mailing a physical copy of Book 1 or a later title in the series with a handwritten note tucked inside the front cover.

Building a Grandparent-Grandchild Reading Tradition

Consider establishing a recurring tradition, perhaps always reading the newest book in the series together during a holiday visit, or a standing weekly video call reading date. These small, consistent rituals often become some of the most anticipated parts of a grandchild's relationship with their grandparent over the years.

Discussing the Story Together

After reading, ask your grandchild simple, open-ended questions: 'What was your favourite part?' or 'What do you think Hariët will do next?' These conversations deepen the reading experience and give you insight into how your grandchild is thinking and feeling, valuable connection points beyond the story itself.

Continuing the Adventure Together

As your grandchild grows, continue the tradition through the rest of the series, including Book 2: Hariët, Finnigan, and the Swamp Adventure and Book 3: The Woodland Secret, giving you a natural, built-in reason to keep your reading tradition going for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't know how to do different character voices?

Don't worry about performing perfectly. Children generally respond more to warmth and enthusiasm than to polished voice acting, so simply reading with genuine engagement is more than enough.

How can I share books with grandchildren who live in a different country or time zone?

Recorded read-alouds work especially well across time zones, since they don't require both parties to be available at the same time. Printable books also make it easy to send identical digital copies instantly, regardless of distance.

What age is right for starting a grandparent reading tradition?

It's never too early. Even infants benefit from hearing a grandparent's voice through reading, and the tradition can naturally grow more interactive as your grandchild gets older.

My grandchild seems to prefer reading with their parents. How can I get more involved?

Try positioning yourself as an addition rather than a replacement, perhaps reading a different book than the parents typically choose, or offering a special weekend or video call reading time that feels distinctly your own.

Are printable books a good option for grandparents specifically?

Yes, printable books are especially convenient for grandparents, since you can easily print and keep a dedicated copy at your own home without needing to coordinate physical books between households.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're curled up together on the couch or connecting across the miles through a video call, sharing Woodland Wonder Tales with your grandchild is a wonderful way to build a lasting reading tradition and a deeper connection. The stories may be about Hariët and Finnigan's adventures, but the real magic lies in the time you spend together.