Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children about Alzheimer's Disease [Paperback]

Linda Scacco (Author), Nicole Wong (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2005 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Daniel learns that since Grandpa has Alzheimer's disease, he will have trouble remembering all the things that belong to him-his clothes, his words, his memories-and eventually, his own grandson. Features gentle narrative and easy-to-understand explanations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—Daniel and his mom spend every summer at Grandpa's beach house. This year, his mother reminds her son that Grandpa will seem different because he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Over the course of the visit, his symptoms worsen. Daniel, his mom, and his grandfather share their feelings and concerns in a healthy, open manner. At the end of the summer, Grandpa comes to live at Daniel's house. This is a gentle but straightforward portrayal of the early effects of Alzheimer's on patient and family. It is pure bibliotherapy (as indicated by the subtitle); it will educate and prompt discussion. However, along with the family playing their textbook roles, there is pleasure to be had in the idyllic setting and the warm relationships. The illustrations are pleasant, old-fashioned line drawings with a palette of nostalgic beachy colors.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Magination Press; 1 edition (October 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591473128
• ISBN-13: 978-1591473121
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,298,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for kids, Covers the reality of Alzheimer's, April 7, 2009

By 

Frank Firek "FrankIV" (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children about Alzheimer's Disease (Paperback)

We bought this book to help our 4 year old son understand what is happening with Grandpa. My dad has been getting worse lately (not knowing where he was, getting lost while running, and has had a few instances where, for a short period, he did not know who my mom was). So we figured it was time to tell our son what was really going on with Grandpa - Up to know we just told him that Grandpa forgets things easily.

I thought the book was written well for a young child and it really brings up the issues that we are going to be dealing with - forgetfullness, repeated questions, not remembering family members, forgetting that the stove is on, and that he may die sooner because of this disease.

We stopped several times while reading the book to make sure our son was OK and to answer any of his questions. He hid under the covers at one point until we talked through his questions and fear about this. After the book was over he said he understood it. We will read it to him again and I am sure have more in depth conversations each time. But I think it will be good for him that he can now talk to Grandpa about it and that he understands what is going on.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and sensitive fulfillment of a need, April 1, 2009

By 

Mona G. Affinito "Mona Gustafson Affinito, Ph.D." (Chaska, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children about Alzheimer's Disease (Paperback)

Ideal for parents to read to children facing Alzheimer's changes in grandparents and other loved elders. The setting creates calm and familiarity, producing an atmosphere of realism, explanation, and acceptance. The sensitivity of a practicing psychologist combined with the experience of a mom informs this gem of a story.