Banjo Granny

Submitted by Chad from Charlotte Hall!
Banjo Granny by Sarah Martin Busse and Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Barry Root. This book is dedicated to “grannies everywhere…and to grandbabies everywhere.” It is a sort of tall tale. Granny, our banjo pickin’ hero, encounters a number of obstacles on her way to visit her grandson, Owen (who loves bluegrass music). These obstacles are in the form of natural barriers, such as a river, a desert, and a mountain. Granny overcomes them with the aid of her banjo and, of course, her love for her grandson. The river, desert, and mountain are personified as Granny invites them to listen to the song of her grandson “who goes wiggly, jiggly, all-around giggly, and tip over tumble for bluegrass music.” We catch glimpses of Owen when visiting birds inform him of the progress of his granny. When Granny and Owen are united in person, they sing “wop-a-doosy, lap-a-daisy doo!” The book includes lyrics and music to “Owen’s Song,” in the bluegrass style.