Customer Reviews

Grandma's First Computer

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I saw this book posted for a review request, I knew that I wanted to read and review it. The title says it all. I immediately thought of the past several years of attempting to bring my own mother into the computer age. It has been a slow and go process and one day, she will finally give in and buy a computer. The frustrating thing is that she has taken some classes and does very well in the classes, but then when it comes time to buy, she postpones because "she needs to know more about that whole internet thing." I haven't given up hope.

In the story, if you haven't guessed it already, Grandma goes out and buys a computer. The problem is that once it has been delivered, she has absolutely no idea what to do with it. Fortunately for Grandma, her grandson, Timmy shows up unexpectedly and comes to her rescue. He assists her in connecting the unit up and explaining some of the parts as he goes. This allows an opportunity for Grandma to become confused by the lingo.

"Almost done," said Timmy. "All I have to do now is connect the mouse."
"MOUSE," shouted Grandma. "Did you see a mouse?" "Oh my," she thought. "Kitty must not be doing her job."

The illustrations for the story, done by Acesgraphics, are darling. If Timmy were a blond, he could have passed for a cartoon version of my nephew when he was that age. Grandma's First Computer is a very short, but charming educational story which details computer components in a simple to understand manner. Linda Hayes combines the educational features with the bonding between two very different generations and does it with humor and simplicity. The story winds up with Timmy telling Grandma she has a lot to learn, so we may expect to see another book with Timmy and Grandma in the future. I'm not so sure that senior citizen groups will appreciate that all of the senior's in the book are depicted with canes, or that it is intimated that no senior citizen knows anything about computers, but the target audience of young children will want to read it again and again. This is a must read for the young school age.

Do you remember your first computer? How confused you were trying to keep all of the terminology straight and figure out how all of the pieces were supposed to fit together? This is a heartwarming story about a grandmother who buys her first computer, only to find that she's overwhelmed by the new technology.

Enter her young grandson, a true techno-whiz who walks her through all of the parts of her computer and their functions in clear, easy to understand language and gets her online. This is a darling, humorous look at today's technology and the things we can learn from our children. It proves that you're never too old to take that daring leap out into cyberspace and the age of technology!

(Official Apex Reviews Rating: 4.5 Stars)

Grandma is proud of herself, and rightfully so: she's just bought her very first computer, and she can't wait to start using it. There's only one problem, though: she knows nothing about computers, so she doesn't know where to begin in getting it set up and functional. She asks her friends at the senior center, but everyone there is just as much in the dark as she is, so it seems like her excitement regarding the apparatus may be quite short-lived.

Then one day she gets an unexpected visit from her grandson, Timmy. Timmy may be young, but he's quite tech-savvy, and when he notices his grandma's new computer, he's more than happy to help her set it up. What follows is an informative - and often amusing - venture into the world of modern technology, opening grandma's eyes to a higher plane of reality that she never imagined existed.

Readers of all ages are sure to enjoy Grandma's First Computer. In it, Linda Hayes provides a handy handbook of useful information regarding the setup and utilization of computers and their related accessories. Even though the story is centered on grandma, the technologically-uninitiated - young and old alike - will surely benefit from Hayes' useful introduction to the world of advanced technology. Highly recommended.


Rhonda Carver
Apex Reviews

I think in every family, there is at least one older member who has absolutely no understanding of the "potential" of computers. Some, like my sister, have no desire to learn either. However, as more and more opportunities for sharing pictures, letters and even researching the family tree becomes known, many people who had no earlier opportunity to use the computer are taking the plunge!

Linda Hayes, in writing Grandma's First Computer, apparently had that situation in her family, for her son Lawrence and Grandma Sylvia inspired Linda's book. I am totally supportive of having young children learn to use computers--it is "their" future, after all! But I also am pleased whenever someone who has previously not had the opportunity decides to find out what the "internet" is that everybody always seems to be talking about.

Using excellent illustrations, by Acesgraphics, Linda shares a simple story about the time Grandma decided to buy a computer, only to get it home and have no idea what to do next. I had to chuckle at this point because even though I've worked with both mainframe and personal computers for years, there were technical staff members who actually set up and cared for the hardware (all equipment including the computer and peripheral machines such as printers, scanners, etc.) So when I decided to have a home computer, I admit to some trepidation, even though I had already been using personal computers and enjoying their benefits for work and research. Believe me, Grandma knew what she was doing to leave the computer in the box...until...Timmy came to visit!

Timmy looks to be about 8, but he obviously is already totally capable of setting up and getting things ready for Grandma. The book effectively shows and explains what computer components he's working with. Only when he starts to use some routine computer terms, such as mouse and cursor, does he realize that...wow...Grandma doesn't know anything!

I got the feeling Grandma and Timmy was going to be spending quite a bit of time together! And won't Timmy feel great about being able to help his Grandma learn about computers!

Not having knowledge and experience can exist, no matter what age. Many of us were in jobs and had an opportunity to learn, but many others were busy doing other jobs! I applaud you if you are one of the latter and are just now beginning to learn about computers. I work almost daily via email with a gentleman in his 70's who is learning to promote his books online, having never learned much other than using a word processor. You could be that person and need help...

Grandma's First Computer is very, very elementary and is geared toward children, but it wonderfully shows the potential of two generations being able to reverse roles and the older individual learn from the younger. So, if you've decided to take the plunge, check out Grandma's First Computer by Linda Hayes and share it with your nephew or grandson and see if he takes the hint! You just might get much-needed help and start that young individual on the way to a future career!

G. A. Bixler