My Grandmother’s Hands

The importance of ancestral knowledge and its transmission across generations, the wonder found in everyday life’s magic, and, above all, the special bond between an observant girl and her grandmother are at the heart of this endearing story.
Told in the first person and present tense, the young protagonist shares with us her deep admiration and respect for her grandmother, as well as everything she learns by her side: the artisanal process of making cheese, the usefulness of sewing to repurpose fabrics, and the close relationship with nature through tending the garden and caring for the forests.
The grandmother embodies wisdom and experience—a life shaped by hardship, effort, and sacrifice, reflecting a not-so-distant past in contrast with today’s technological advances and conveniences. Through her testimony, we sense the phenomenon of rural depopulation, the memories that preserve the legacy of matriarchy, the contrast between the slow pace of the past and the rush of modern life, and the patient waiting that opposes what is fleeting and ephemeral.
To the brilliant simplicity of a text free of embellishments, to the sensitivity and beauty of its descriptions, is added an aesthetic proposal that, through the elegance of realism and the subtlety of sketching, portrays domestic scenes set in a rural environment. Created with graphite—a technique in which the illustrator is a renowned specialist—and soft touches of color, the illustrations stand out with mosaic-like compositions filled with details and visual metaphors in which the human presence merges with the natural surroundings.

Key points

2025 – Outstanding Books in Children’s and Youth Literature from Spain, OEPLI’s Selection, IBBY Spain

• An intergenerational story filled with sensitivity that promotes patience, environmental care, reuse, and slow, meaningful learning.
• It celebrates orally transmitted knowledge, manual work, and a deep connection with nature.
• It offers a positive representation of old age through a wise, active, and loving grandmother who defies stereotypes.
• Perfect for exploring themes such as family memory, the bond with grandparents, and the value of everyday life.