Grandparent Profile: David Grokenberger

Instead of working with honey bees, David works with the many bees of social expectations—the “should bees,” the “would bees,” the “wanna bees” and the “ought to bees”—and their incessant buzzing. Complete with art illustrated by Karen Keesler, a New York Times bestselling children’s book illustrator, and edited by his daughter (and Burke’s parent) Metta, The Would Bees is David’s self-published children’s book that explores expectations, individuality and self-image, and follows bunnies Hannie and Billy as they learn what it means to listen to their voices. 

Writing The Would Bees was a product of David listening to his own voice and embracing his individuality. A native of Redding, California, David attended UC Santa Barbara and then McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, where he earned his law degree. He managed his own firm for over 35 years and is currently of counsel with Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP, with concentrated practices in real estate, transaction, and litigation. Outside of law, he is a 7-time national tennis champion and has taught tennis to many, including his own children, who had been high school tennis champions in their leagues and then had gone on to become Division I athletes.

Education and the facilitation of growth are at the forefront of David’s values. “Education allows one to explore not just the world, but philosophical, respecting opinions. Then we can begin to make an informed choice because there are a lot of opinions and a lot of ‘should bees’ and ‘oughtta bees,’” he says, referring to his story’s opinionated bees of what one should or must be. 

David appreciates that Burke’s not only encourages students to make informed choices, but also helps students be the best that they can be. “Emma [my granddaughter] is thriving here. The lessons that students learn are not an imperative put upon them, but rather a choice presented to them.”

David had the idea for The Would Bees 25 years ago, when he wanted to teach his children to apply themselves and try new things. Now that his children are grown, he wants to continue sharing his story with others, emphasizing the importance of trying different paths in life and “Beekeeping,” or learning to find the balance between social demands and one’s heart and mind. 

David recommends grandparents to appreciate the journeys of their grandchildren and support them lightly. “Grandparents have gone through battles,” he acknowledges. “Engage with your grandchildren and bring your experience to them not by telling them what to do, but instead by understanding them. You can use your experiences and stories to help them understand and see the choices open to them.” In this way, students can have the freedom to discover what they enjoy doing, as well as who they are as individuals.