Innis and Ernest is a great story for children highlighting the joy and fun that comes from multi-generational friendship. Innis is an only child who gets to pretty much play when he wants and watch what he wants on TV. One day Ernest, a 90 year old man comes to visit and he stays. How does someone who is used to getting all the attention suddenly share that attention. We have seen this when a new sibling is born, but this is the first book I have seen where it is an older person who comes to live with a family. As Innis gets to know Ernest, he realizes that they can have fun too. He does have new responsibilities like making sure his toys are put away, but he also learns a lot from Ernest and they become wonderful friends. I enjoyed this story and so did my grandkids. They often visit their great-grandmother and were able to connect some of the things they do with her to the story. I love that Innis wanted to call Ernest, Ernest as he was his friend, not grandpa. The illustrations are cute and add to the story. I think it is important that we cultivate relationships between children and their elders and this book does a good job of that.

I have to say as a senior citizen, I loved the quote "Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness." Proverbs 16:31

A sweet picture book that can help children understand and sympathize with grandparents or other adults getting older and struggling in their current environment, whether those adults are moving into the child's family home or into a care center. Language that's simple enough for children without being patronizing.

Innis and Ernest by Carissa Shilito is a sweet story of an elderly relative who moves in with his family before going to a nursing home and the relationships he develops with a young family member and the bond that is formed. Innis and Ernest reminded me a lot of when my grandfather came to live us when I was young and the bond that we shared. It’s a bittersweet story, but one I believe needs to be shared because so many people are going through the same thing. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

At first, I really liked the way this book was set up. There were minimal words on a page, the font was large and either black on white or light on a plain background. The illustrations were not too distracting and while somewhat simplistic, helped to tell the story. About halfway through things become quite chaotic. There are words all over the page, a variety of fonts and the illustrations become distracting. I'm not sure why things changed mid-way, other than the author may have been trying to communicate the excitement the child felt with his grandfather moved in with him. I think that it may make things harder for young readers and would have preferred the more simplistic approach at the beginning of the book to be carried through. In general, the story is fine, The book ends with quite a bit of (Christian) religious content, though this is not overly obvious in the rest of the book. I can't see myself buying a copy for my classroom but it might be something parents appreciate and could be an opportunity for conversations with children about aging grandparents. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

Wow. What a powerful & moving book about elderly family members/grandparents/Great-grands. It touches on Dementia/Alzheimers briefly. A perfect book for kids who are dealing with elderly loved ones who have some health issues or need a little assistance, ones who are in a nursing home or living with them.

A very touching story of a little boy who was an only child, until his Great Grandpa came to live with them for a time, until he needed to go to a nursing home. They have a wonderful relationship.

The book includes some questions at the end to help children process things & give parents an idea of what/how to talk to their kids about these topics. Well done!

(I was able to preview this book in exchange for my honest review.)

Okay, well, this one made me cry. I thought it was such a sweet story about a great-grandparent moving in with a family and the great-grandchild forming a really sweet bond with them. It was so, so sweet. Especially once the child realized that something was happening with the elderly man and he had to help. Oh my god. It tugged at my heartstrings in all the best ways. I loved it so much. I know anyone living with an elderly relative will relate to and enjoy this story.

"I'm growing up. He's growing down."

This is a lovely tale of a unique friendship between an elderly man and his young great-grandchild (I'm guessing . . . ?) It's probably one of the best children's books I've read on sharing time with an elderly relative. I loved it.

I did, however, take away one star for being clobbered over the head by all the God-stuff at the end of the book. Note to readers - the story itself is secular, and can be enjoyed by those of all or no religions.

Very sweet book

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Perfect opener to talking to children older relatives coming to live with your family. Also an opener to talk about dementia or Alzheimer’s in simple terms. 



Illustrations are interesting and eye catching for children.

A book deserving to get an audience beyond its religious background and basis, for no matter the publisher this should be a welcome success. A young lad is at first slightly annoyed at the presence of an older man – his mother's "gramps" – in his home. But love for the old bloke is formed when he realises how much they both have in common. Cleverly mirroring itself, the script makes for an engaging story that will be read for pleasure as much as it will for its lesson, and if the visuals (good quality ones, mind) were a bit more uniform in how busy or otherwise the pages were, this might have had the highest rating. A fine lesson in cross-generational love and respect and acceptance, this is still four and a half stars.

This is a cute heartwarming story about a child and their great-grandfather who is slowly losing lucidity. While it has a good message for children about sharing, what it means to have someone else in the house, and aging, it falls flat. It’s fine, but I’ve definitely encountered better picture books covering this same topic and doing so without a religious tilt.

Um, wow... Okay as someone who grew up while assisting several elderly family friends and family members this was a bittersweet picture book that I would be sure to share with the kids in my family.

Sad but sweet and well written.

This is the sweetest book! I absolutely love the art and the story, my heart swelled. It gave me I love you forever vibes! Ugh...then the link to Isiah and the bible verse at the very end just ruined it for me. I'd have this book in my house but w/o the proselytizing please....perhaps this part is a tear out?

I loved this story! A little boy’s grandfather comes to live with him, and this story details all of the emotions that come with this big transition. It’s very endearing and tender, and encourages readers to appreciate differences between generations.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31

What a special book on the relationship between Ernest and Innis. Innis is young and likes to go and go and Ernest is slowing down. Innis is an only child but when Ernest comes to live with Innis, they both learn new things about each other. They also have fun with each other.

This book teaches the special relationship between the old and young.

A special thank you to B&H Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

I thought that this book was absolutely brilliant!

This was a beautiful story and it really pulled on my heart strings as I read it with my daughter not long after my father in law passed away in August this year so there was plenty we could talk about regarding aging and loss and it was a great way for me to be able to raise this topic with her

It was superbly written, it had a wonderful flow to the book - I thought it was excellent

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

Thanks to Netgalley and B&H Kids for a free digital copy.

A sweet book about a young boy and his great grandfather bonding over their similarities. Even though the little boy doesn't understand all the implications of his "brother's" actions, he comes to love spending time with him anyway. Very bittersweet to read as an adult, but a great lesson for kids about the realities of aging.

A story that captivates with its simplicity, interesting humor, and heartwarming message. We chose it because of the beautifully illustrated cover, but my little ones and I most certainly enjoyed the story and learned a thing or two.
Innis, a little boy who is a single child, is an absolutely wonderful character that allows children to identify with him. Accustomed to being a single child and not having to share a thing, he suddenly finds himself in a new, unexpected situation when Ernest, an elderly man arrives at the house. Now, Innis has to share his living space and everything else. A series of interesting discussions and situations imaginatively depict cross-generational friendship and lead the youngest readers to think about old age and their loved ones.
A picture book that carries a wonderful message, an interesting story that will immediately attract the attention of your children, and vivid illustrations that further capture their eye. It was just right for us, nothing too much, nothing too little, but a perfect balance of sentences and pictures that provided us with real enjoyment before bedtime.

I LOVE this heartwarming book. Innis is an adorable little boy who is an only child. He loves being that way because he doesn't have to share. That means... all the marshmallows? all to himself, all his cars? all over the place, and any show on tv? anytime. Life is grand!


Then one day everything changes. Ernest, a 90-year-old man, comes to live at his house and life isn't "all-about-me" anymore for Innis. He must start sharing his home and his space with someone else. So now it's not about me but we. How does Innis react to the change?

At first he is not impressed but as he gets to interact and know Ernest better he learns to appreciate him and a special bond is interwoven between the two. Innis and his new friend have many things in common. They love being together and celebrating the personal and fun things in life.

This lovely gentle book features a cross-generational friendship and is full of love, sharing and humour. It highlights the importance of having younger kids enjoy relationships with senior citizens. Both young and old benefit from spending time together.

The illustrations are perfect and make the positive message of story animated. They are detailed and interesting, and engaging.

The author has included a "Parent Connection" segment at the end of the book with Biblical references to read. These scriptures will spark valuable conversations about the elderly. I highly, highly recommend this inspiring book for people of all ages.

Such a charming tale about the relationship between a child and an elder family member. I love books that span the generations, and this is a great one to read with children. There are conversation prompts for further discussion, as well.

A beautiful story about the new found friendship of a child and a senior family member. It's such a heart warming story with conversation prompt at the end continue the conversion with kids.