
Grandmother from the East, Grandmother from the West
Grandmother from the East, Grandmother from the West
Jacinta Liu
Freda Chiu
Lothian, 2025
32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99
9780734421791
I have two grandmothers.
One with brown eyes, and one with blue eyes.
One makes dumplings, and one bakes bread.
They are my grandmothers.
One lives in the East, and one lives in the West.
So many of our students could have written those lines as a reflection of their family structure as “mixed marriages” are just a normal part of today’s society, and so this is one that is going to resonate with so many. At its heart is the strong message that despite differences in their heritage and history that has made them them, grandmothers come together and give the very best of who they are as they love, accept, teach, protect, and guide and their grandchildren so they can grow up to be the best they can be. While each may have different belief systems – one was blessed under the protection of the Chinese dragon, full of dignity and strength. One was kissed by the light of the Cancer moon, filled with grace and style – or different food prep preferences and techniques or perhaps a different language the best of who they are is melded within the child so they too can say I am from the East and the West.
Written by a Chinese-Australian and inspired by her own family history, its authenticity is apparent and will inspire young readers, whether they have a dual heritage or not, to consider the traits they share and the things they like, eat and do that have been directly passed on to them by their grandparents. It is the perfect accompaniment to Joanna Ho’s Eyes the Kiss in the Corners and Eyes that Speak to the Stars and others that celebrate intergenerational relationships.
While these sorts of books tend to get a particular focus during Harmony Day celebrations, they have year-round appeal to any child who picks them up and sees themselves and their circumstances portrayed in a book for all to see. As adults, we should never underestimate the validation and reassurance of who they are that that offers.