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Amber Bradbury was raised in both Upstate New York and Sacramento, California. Having lived on each coast of the United States as well as being bi-racial, she enjoyed diverse interactions. She spent her early years at her grandparents’ and aunts’ houses in New York. She also has fond memories of California, as a member of a close-knit family, all of whom lived on the same street. Amber is forever grateful for the time she spent at Lake Tahoe developing a lifelong connection to nature.
Currently, Amber resides in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. Being an only child sparked her desire to create a larger family.
The strong women on both sides of Amber’s family influenced her writing. She traces her desire to help and inspire others back to the nurturing, care giving women who raised her.
The story, If Grandma Were Here, came memories that many of us hold dear of our own mothers and grandmothers. Amber remembers her grandmother supporting her at ballet lessons, teaching her to bake, and making her time-honored chicken noodle soup. Amber’s children recall playing in the park with their grandmother and how she taught them to play fun games.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Grandmothers are special. We love to do all kinds of things with Grandma: read together, cook together, go to the museum, play games and so much more. For any child with a special Grandma, there is a treasure chest of memories of all the wonderful things Grandma does with her grandchildren. When Grandma passes away and goes to heaven, we miss her. But Grandma is still with us, in our hearts. She still watches over us and sends us love and kisses from above.
Amber Bradbury’s picture book story, If Grandma Were Here: A Book of Memories, is a wonderful tribute to a loving member of the family. With colorful illustrations and compassionate attention to detail, the author has created a real treasure chest of special memories of time spent with Grandma. This gem of a book will help young readers learn how to move beyond their grief and realize that Grandma is always with them. There are some wonderful suggestions of things children love to do with Grandma and I’m sure the suggestions in this book will spark other memories amongst young readers, special school performances, music or dance recitals, sports events, fun days at the park or the beach, and so much more.
The language is simple to help young readers with their reading skills and the repetition of the phrase, “If Grandma were here,” certainly gives young readers a few words to quickly recognize as they read along. The story ends with a charming poem, a letter from Grandma: “As time passes and life goes on,/ I will always be here…from dusk through dawn.” Beautifully told, this story will bring tears to your eyes.
