Written by Dianne Wolfer
Illustrated by Karen Blair
Published by Walker Books Australia, Jan 2013
CBCA Shortlisted Book 2014
Buy now
Sadly, this book is no longer in print. Karen Blair and Dianne Wolfer have no remaining stock.
Booktopia (Australia)
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 lots of fun. But I don t want to go in the water. There are strange things under the waves.
Granny Grommet and Me is a picture book about surfing grannies. It was inspired by the real Granny Grommets, a group of surfing/boogie boarding ladies in Albany, Western Australia. It’s a story that many young reluctant swimmers will identify with.
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
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
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- I wrote several drafts. Then, after it was accepted by Walker Books, illustrator Karen Blair came to Albany to ‘stake out’ the Grannies.
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- Granny Grommets reading the book
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- The idea for Granny Grommet and Me began at Albany’s Middleton Beach. Whilst walking my dog I saw the real Grommets whizzing through the waves. Their love of life was my inspiration…
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- ‘Granny Grommet and Me’ internal illustration by Karen Blair
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- They invited us for tea and biscuits afterwards…
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- Granny Grommet and Me has was launched in Albany and at the Perth Writers Festival 2013
There have been some great newspaper articles and radio interviews about the Granny Grommets. Here’s are some fun links to follow:
Photos: ABC Open Great Southern’s Granny Grommet Flickr album (external site)
Transcript: Interview with the Granny Grommets on George Negus Tonight, November 9th 2004 (transcript; external site)
Audio: Interview with the Granny Grommets on ABC Great Southern radio, December 31st 2012 (external site)
Here’s a link to the launch: https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/16164072/grammy-grommets-inspire-kids-book/
Check out the real Granny Grommets on Sunrise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWiCN5VP5Gs
Students from Jubilee Primary School reading Granny Grommet and Me for students at Williamstown Primary School: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4b_7F9SKFU
Sometimes I come across lovely posts like this one, and it brightens my day … http://ops2infolit.global2.vic.edu.au/2014/07/23/granny-grommet-and-me-by-dianne-wolfer/comment-page-1/#comment-37
diannewolfer 
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…