The bestselling author of the adult novel Room bursts onto the children's book scene with this cross between Little Miss Sunshine, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Modern Family.Sumac Lottery is nine years old and the self-proclaimed "good girl" of her (VERY) large, (EXTREMELY) unruly family. And what a family the Lotterys are: four parents, children both adopted and biological, and a menagerie of pets, all living and learning together in a sprawling house called Camelottery. Then one day, the news breaks that one of their grandfathers is suffering from dementia and will be coming to live with them. And not just any grandfather -- the long dormant "Grumps," who fell out with his son so long ago that he hasn't been part of any of their lives.Suddenly, everything changes. Sumac has to give up her room to make the newcomer feel at home. She tries to be nice, but prickly Grumps clearly disapproves of how the Lotterys live: whole grains, strange vegetables, rescue pets, a multicultural household... He's worse than just tough to get along with -- Grumps has got to go! But can Sumac help him find a home where he belongs?
Emma Donoghue is the author of the international bestseller and Man Booker Prize finalist Room, as well as several other novels, including Kissing the Witch, which was shortlisted for the Tiptree Award. Born in Ireland, she now lives in Canada with her partner and their two children.
Caroline Hadilaksono is a designer, illustrator, and audio producer, who loves stories. Born in Indonesia, she moved to Los Angeles when she was 12. In 2018 she came to Maine to study audio documentary and never left. When she's not illustrating while listening to podcasts, she interviews people and produces audio stories. She loves living near water, swimming in the ocean year-round, and cuddling with her cat, Flannel.
Hometown:
London, England and Ontario, Canada
Date of Birth:
October 24, 1969
Place of Birth:
Dublin, Ireland
Education:
B.A. in English and French, University College Dublin, 1990; Ph.D. in English, University of Cambridge, 1998
At seven the next evening, PopCorn pushes open the front door of Camelottery. "Greetings, earthlings!"Sumac's behind the grandfather, looking at the worn-down heels of his boots.Limbs flailing, knocking a long mirror askew, Aspen gets to PopCorn first and jumps to hang around his neck."You brung presents?" asks Brian, behind her.PopCorn says, "Ah..."Sumac's face falls. They completely forgot."Where the presents?" demands Brian."I've got half a candy necklace," Sumac offers."We've brought my dad," says PopCorn, too brightly, gesturing toward the old man in a ta-dah way. "Everybody, this is Iain. Your fourth grandfather."Brian stares balefully. "That not a present. Where his eyebrows?"Sumac tries to distract her with the candy necklace.Brian scowls but puts it around her neck. "Where is they?" she asks again."They got burned off in the fire," Sumac whispers in her ear, because it's a family rule that there are no stupid questions.PopCorn grabs Aspen's hands and examines them."Dare I ask why your index fingers are stuck to your thumbs?""They're finger-thumbs," Aspen tells him. "Thingers. No, fumbs!""We're in the middle of an experiment," explains MaxiMum as she comes into the hall. "Sorry I can't shake hands, Iain. It takes an hour or two for the oils in the skin to loosen the superglue.""Welcome, welcome," cries CardaMom, hurrying downstairs wearing Oak on her shoulders. "PapaDum," she calls toward the Mess, "stop chopping onions, they're here."The grandfather looks from one face to the next, and suddenly Sumac is glad the three eldest kids are still away at camp, because compared with Faro, Yukon, the Lotterys are looking like a crowd already.
