Written by Dianne Wolfer
Illustrated by Karen Blair
Republished by Fremantle Press 2024
(Originally published by Walker Books Australia 2013)
Buy now:
- Fremantle Press (international shipping)
- Local indie bookstores
- Booktopia (Australia/NZ)
- Dymocks Online (Australia)
About
My granny and her friends go to the beach, and I go too. When they hit the surf, they duck and dive and twist and turn. It looks like fun. But I don t want to go in. There are strange things under the waves.
A story that many young reluctant swimmers will identify with, Granny Grommet and Me is about the power of our elders to transform scary experiences into exciting ones. Watching Granny and her friends duck and dive and twist and turn, enjoying catching waves and revelling in the bracing and invigorating ocean spray, helps a junior grommet gain enough confidence to appreciate the wonders that lie beneath the surface of the water.
The book was inspired by the real Granny Grommets, a group of surfing/boogie-boarding ladies in Albany, Western Australia.
Awards
- Shortlist, 2014 Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards, Early Childhood Book of the Year
- Granny Grommet and Me is recommended by the Better Beginnings program
Teacher resources
Media Release, Teaching Notes, Fun Activities
Reviews
‘Granny Grommet and Me is a keeper.’ – Kid’s Book Review
‘Wolfer has written a story that’s gentle and matter-of-fact, and shows children one reluctant young swimmer’s journey.’ – The Book Chook
‘… carefully sidesteps stereotypical notions of what a granny is supposed to be …’ – My Book Corner
‘… delightful and entertaining …’ – Buzz Words
Behind the Scenes
There have been some great newspaper articles and radio interviews about the Granny Grommets. Here are some fun links to follow:
2023 The Grannies are in the news again…
Photos: ABC Open Great Southern’s Granny Grommet Flickr album (external site)
Audio: Interview with the Granny Grommets on ABC Great Southern radio, December 31st 2012 (external site)
Dianne Wolfer 
Dear Granny grommets,
We just read a book about you. We think you are excellent and real! We loved reading about grannies who surf. Can we please find out more about you? Here are some questions for you. Can you please answer them? Thanks soooooooo much!
How do you ride the dumpers without falling off?
Is learning to surf when you are a granny hard?
Do you sometimes bring your grandkids to the beach with you, just like in the story we read?
What do you see when you are surfing through a big curler?
How old are you?
What colour is the coral that you see when you are snorkelling? Do you see Nemo or Dori?
What are your names?
Please please pretty please send us a message, we would looooooove to find out more about you.
From Year 1 at Mother Teresa School on the Gold Coast.
Dear Year 1s,
You have a lot of great questions!
I’ve just replied to the first lot via email to your teacher.
I will pass this onto the fabulous Granny Grommets but it may take a week or two before they reply. Can you be patient?
Best wishes for now
Dianne
Hi,
We are trying to find additional copies of Granny Grommet to purchase but are having so luck. We would love use this text in Pre primary.
Hello Sophia, You are the 4th person to contact me this fortnight looking for a copy. Sadly Walker Books have let it go out of print with no plans to reprint 😦 my agent is looking at other options. In the meantime, I have a few last copies on hand. Softback $18 Hardback $28 plus postage. I’m down to the last ones so could only part with one sorry…
Hello again, following several other requests for the same title, after today (Monday) I will have no remaining copies. Best wishes and thank you for your interest in my book, Dianne
Hi Dianne,
I’ve been in the bookshop today asking for your book Garnny Grommet, but it’s out of print 😪 it’s a favourite in our house and I was after it for a gift. Can you let me know if it becomes available again.
Thanks
Hi Kate, I’m so sorry also that the publisher is not republishing it. The book was going to be featured at an international rights market however that was canceled. One day hopefully and if so I will certainly let you know. Thanks for your support…
Hi Dianne!
My name is Evie Tozer and I got your book years ago, for my future children, mostly because of the illustrations and the story being about a surfing grandma 🙂 I am so so curious about the inspiration behind the illustrations because to me, it looks identical to Bremer Bay, specifically John Cove, Blossoms and Native Dog Beach… Is this where you’ve set it?! My family is from Bremer, and my mums ashes were spread in John Cove after she passed in 2002. My son was born in 2023 and he will always know of his grandma in heaven who would’ve been a grommet if she’d lived to see him born. This book is so special to me because Bremer is my home away from home, even though I live in Melbourne. We grew up driving across the Nullarbor every second Xmas because my mum wanted us to know how important Bremer bay was to her. It is a magical place and I’m so glad I have a book showing its beauty! (Even if it isn’t inspired by Bremer)
Thankyou for a wonderful book for all ages to enjoy xoxo
Hi Evie,
Thank you for this lovely feedback. I live in Albany and often see the real Granny Grommets surf at Middleton Beach on Friday mornings. They are my inspiration 🙂 The scenery is indeed like Bremer Bay. Karen Blair came down (From Perth) to sketch the area and so I’m not surprised that you recognise it. If you are ever back in the Great Southern the GGs surf all year around at 8.30am at Middleton Beach (dog beach part). Let me know if you are there and I’ll join you to watch them xx Coincidentally I am in Melbourne for Book Week. Middle Park (fancy 😉 area at present. Where are you based?
Ooh I’m so sorry I missed you! I’m in Frankston at the moment but will hopefully be visiting Perth and Bremer sometime in the summer, fingers crossed! Will definitely try to visit the real GG’s 😍🙏💓
Fingers crossed indeed 🙂 and also for good summer weather!