Review: Grandpa Day by Perry Solomon | Nurturing Grit, Smarts, and Love in the Next Generation
The most meaningful things we pass to the next generation may be the time, stories, and example we give them.
Grandpa Day by Perry Solomon caught my attention because it approaches grandparenting as something we can do with intention. Blending practical guidance with stories from his own family, Solomon explores how simply showing up, listening, sharing what we've learned, and encouraging a child's individual interests can create connections that last far beyond a single "Grandpa Day."
Grandpa Day: Nurturing Grit, Smarts, and Love in the Next Generation By Perry Solomon
Published by Lighthouse Family Press on February 2026
Genres: Adult Non-Fiction 18+, Self-Help / Motivational & Inspirational
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 198
Discover the heartwarming wisdom and practical guidance of being an exemplary grandfather in Perry Solomon’s newest release. This captivating book intertwines real-life narratives with insightful advice, creating a must-read journey for those who cherish their role as a grandparent. Within its pages, readers will find inspiration from stories that highlight the depths of family bonds and celebrate the joy of grandparenting.
Build a lasting legacy of love and wisdom for your grandchildren, this guide stands out by focusing on the rich experiences shared between grandfathers and grandchildren. It provides meaningful strategies to nurture these precious relationships, encouraging involvement in activities that enhance familial connections. By delving into this compelling collection, grandfathers will uncover the magic of storytelling and the profound impact of their presence in their grandchildren's lives.
Dive into this captivating grandfather book to enrich your family legacy. Its blend of moving stories and practical wisdom ensures it will remain a valuable resource in your library. Embrace the transformative power of love and guidance that only a committed grandparent can offer, all detailed in this groundbreaking volume by Perry Solomon.
Reader Resources
Reader Info at a Glance
| Best For | Grandparents, parents, mentors & anyone invested in the next generation |
| Pacing | Steady and easy to read in short sections |
| Themes | Family connection • mentoring • curiosity • kindness • legacy |
| Approach | Practical guidance blended with personal family stories |
| Overall Feel | Warm • encouraging • thoughtful • practical |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Curious about how I rate books? Read my full rating system here.
Quick Take: A warm, practical reminder that meaningful relationships with the next generation are built through presence, example, curiosity, and the everyday moments we choose to share.
Things to Know: Although written specifically for grandfathers, much of Solomon's guidance applies equally well to grandparents, parents, mentors, and other adults who want to build meaningful connections with younger generations.
Here's what stood out to me, and why Solomon's approach resonated.
My Thoughts
What stayed with me most while reading Grandpa Day was the idea of grandparenting with intention. Perry Solomon isn't suggesting that grandparents need elaborate plans or grand gestures. Instead, he encourages them to pay attention: listen to what interests a child, ask questions, spend time together, and look for opportunities to nurture kindness, curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to learn.
I especially appreciated that this isn't about lecturing the next generation or constantly telling them what we've learned. There is a big difference between passing along wisdom and simply giving advice. Solomon's approach is much more about guiding by example, listening before speaking, and allowing children to discover their own interests while knowing they have someone firmly in their corner.
The personal stories are what keep the practical guidance from feeling like a set of instructions. Solomon draws on more than twenty years with his six grandchildren, and those experiences illustrate how differently meaningful relationships can develop. What fascinates one child may hold no interest for another, and part of the joy is taking the time to discover who each child is.
I also kept thinking about family stories while I read. They can seem so ordinary when we're living them that it's easy to forget how important they become later. Stories about where we came from, what our families experienced, the mistakes we made, and the lessons we learned are part of what connects one generation to the next. If we don't take the time to tell those stories, eventually no one is left who remembers them.
And while Grandpa Day is clearly written for grandfathers, I don't think its usefulness ends there. The larger message-be present, listen, encourage curiosity, model kindness, share what matters, and make time for the younger people in your life-is valuable for anyone who cares about the generation coming behind us.
Final Thoughts
Grandpa Day is an encouraging and practical read for grandfathers who want to be more intentional about the relationships they build with their grandchildren, but I would recommend it beyond that audience as well. Parents, grandparents, mentors, and anyone with an important young person in their life can find something worth considering here.
What I'll remember most is the reminder that passing something meaningful to the next generation doesn't necessarily require a grand gesture. Sometimes it's a story told, an interest encouraged, a question genuinely listened to, or simply showing up again and again.
Those ordinary moments may turn out to be the legacy that matters most.
Perry Solomon's guest post offers a fitting companion to those ideas, sharing how more than twenty years with his grandchildren became the research behind Grandpa Day.
The Book I Spent Twenty Years Researching Without Knowing It
By Perry Solomon
When I decided to write Grandpa Day, I did not begin with a blank page. I began with more than twenty years of breakfasts, outings, questions, mistakes, small victories, and one-on-one adventures with my six grandchildren.
I had been doing research without calling it research.
Each grandchild taught me something different. Felix showed me how careful listening can uncover an interest in architecture. Serena showed me how a small fascination with chocolate can grow when a child receives steady encouragement. Opal reminded me that children develop confidence when adults respect their voices and boundaries. My three East Coast grandchildren taught me that distance changes the methods, but not the importance of showing up.
Personal experience, however, was only the starting point. I wanted the book to be useful, not simply a collection of family stories.
I studied work on child development, grit, growth mindset, active listening, emotional safety, and mentoring. Then I compared those ideas with what had actually worked in our family. When research and real life pointed in the same direction, I knew I had something worth sharing.
Writing nonfiction also required me to examine my own behavior. Had I listened before giving advice? Had I respected the parents' role? Was I supporting a grandchild's interests or quietly steering the child toward my own?
Those questions made the book better, and they made me a more thoughtful grandfather.
The most important finding was surprisingly simple. Strong relationships are not built through a few grand gestures. They grow through consistent attention.
A shared meal, an unhurried conversation, or a promise kept can become part of a child's emotional foundation.
Grandpa Day is the book I wish I had when my first granddaughter was born. It is grounded in research, but its heart comes from lived experience.
Sometimes the subject that matters most is the one life has been teaching you all along.
Before we wrap up, here's a little more about the grandfather behind the book.
Meet the Author
Learn more:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Buy
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Tour dates: August 17 - September 4, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
iRead Book Tours page.
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