Leave Me Alone!
By Vera Brosgol
The Story
A grandmother with a mountain of yarn and too many grandchildren shouts 'LEAVE ME ALONE!' and sets off past bears, goats, and aliens — all the way to the moon — just to finish her knitting in peace.
Why It's Special
For the exhausted grownup in the room as much as the kid on their lap, this is the story of someone who loves her family fiercely and still needs five minutes of quiet.
- Big idea: Needing space to finish what you started doesn't make you love your people any less.
- Vibes: Deadpan, droll, and a little bit wild — folktale logic with a modern shrug.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy deadpan humor and understatement
- like to spot how far a grown-up will go to get some peace
- are working on understanding that everyone needs quiet sometimes
- respond well to a journey that keeps escalating in surprising ways
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Grandma had to go all the way to the moon just to knit in peace?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Grandma felt when she finally shouted 'LEAVE ME ALONE!'?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever needed some quiet time all by yourself? What did you do?
- Imagination: What would you pack if you were setting off on a journey to the moon?
- Story & problem-solving: What was Grandma trying to finish, and who was it for?
