banjo.com

One of my favorite books this season is Banjo Granny
by Sarah Martin Busse and Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Illustrated by Barry Root. Houghton Mifflin, 2006.
ISBN 0-618-33603-6.

Jackie Martin was living in Iowa when her first grandchild -- Owen, was born. She was delighted but Owen lived with his parents in California and Jackie could not see nearly enough of him.
It was not long before Jackie learned of Owen's love of Bluegrass music. Her desire to see more of Owen and her grandson's love of bluegrass inspired her and Owen's mom Sarah to collaborate on this tale of a granny eager to see her grandson and to share some bluegrass music. The song Sarah wrote especially for this book is one that young readers will sing over and over. This book is a precious celebration of a grandmother's love for her grandbaby.
Now the banjo (somewhat magical) was an imaginery device in the story -- a device that helped granny cross a river, the mountains, and the desert all in an effort to see her grandson.

In real life Jackie did not have a magical banjo case -- but with the help of John Drummond at banjo.com -- granny (Jackie) now has her magical case. Visit the definitive banjo site -- banjo.com and tell them Banjo Granny sent you.

Visit Jackie's site at www.jacquelinebriggsmartin.com and you will be able to see pictures of "granny and her banjo" and follow the links to the page sharing the information above -- as well as links to information about banjos and bluegrass music.

Sharron