Welcome to Grandma’s Violin
Amy’s world is a symphony of memories with her beloved Grandma Sophia, whose every gesture and word were melodies of warmth and love. From morning scents of lavender to evening tunes on her cherished violin, Sophia’s presence enveloped Amy in a comforting embrace. Teaching her granddaughter the art of the violin, Sophia passed down not just notes, but stories and emotions interwoven into a special tune – a tune that begins with lively crackles and ends with the joyful song of a bird. This musical bond becomes a lifeline for Amy, even as Sophia’s life draws to a gentle close. As Amy matures, she carries the legacy of Sophia’s violin into her own life, playing the cherished tune for her children and eventually her grandchildren. The music becomes a timeless thread, connecting generations, bringing comfort, joy, and a sense of continuity. Reviewers kindly note Malcolm Richards crafts a poignant tale that resonates with anyone who has felt the profound bond of family and the enduring power of a simple melody.
As author and illustrator I hope that at least 50% of the story comes from the illustrations as they drove the story as it developed, and although neither Grandmas in this story have direct inspiration, they are an unashamed conglomeration of many I knew, some for not long enough.
Creating Grandma’s Violin, a new book by Malcolm Richards
Grandma’s Violin, the first three pages
Amy knew her Grandma Sophia was her best friend and ally.
Sophia had always been in her life. She smelt like lavender and soap in the morning, pepper and garlic when she cooked, like the rhubarb and parsley when she gardened and like biscuits and mint tea when she read a story at the end of the day.
“Child!” she would say, “Quick, come with me!”, or ‘Child! bedtime now”, or “Çhild! you are a funny old thing!”
She read to Amy every day before retiring to her ‘Granny Flat’.
Grandma Sophia said that when she was a younger woman the world would have thought her quite something. In Amy’s world she was everything.
When Sophia hugged Amy, it was with every part of her. She was like a big warm soft pillow.
She had hugged Amy that way since she was a baby and it was Amy’s earliest memory.
