My Little Grandmother Often Forgets [Hardcover]

Reeve Lindbergh (Author), Kathryn Brown (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 13, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A child’s love for a grandmother with memory loss shines through in this deeply personal and lyrical tale from author Reeve Lindbergh.

Sometimes Tom’s grandmother forgets the way home from the market, or that Tom’s name is Tom and not Roy. But Tom doesn’t mind. He loves to help his grandmother and just spend time with her. The special bond between a beloved grandmother affected by memory loss and her devoted grandson is described in Reeve Lindbergh’s most personal book for children, one that is based on her own and her son’s relationship with her mother in the last years of her life. Kathryn Brown’s watercolor illustrations tenderly capture the unique characters — and the love that is universal.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS–Tom's grandmother has begun to forget some pretty important things, such as whether the stove is turned off and how to get home from the grocery store. The boy and his family don't outwardly find these changes to be sad or scary; they're sometimes funny, but mostly they are just what life is like with Grandma. Tom is pleased that he can help his little grandmother by accompanying her to the store or finding her lost cat. Both Tom and Grandma are delighted that they live together now so they can have tea parties and sit together on the porch swing. Lindbergh's rhyming text doesn't poke fun or take itself too seriously, and Brown's lively pen-and-watercolor illustrations of a lovely, carefree woman and her freckled little grandson align perfectly with the book's message: that sometimes Grandma needs extra help, and Tom's the (five-year-old) man for the job. This charming tale will enchant all children, not just those with grandparents in similar situations.–Daisy Porter, San Jose Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In naturally flowing, rhyming verses, a little boy introduces his grandmother and her peculiarities. She loses everything from her glasses to her shoes to her cat (though children will enjoy spotting the lost things in the illustrations). Once she went to the store and forgot the way home. Her grandson discusses the situation in a matter-of-fact, childlike way. After Grandmother makes him tea with cinnamon toast, he checks the stove. When she repeats the question, "Is it time for my bus?" he answers, "I'm here now. It's just time for us." Brown's ink drawings, washed in watercolors are well matched with the simple, graceful text. Together, they depict a bond between grandmother and grandson that is evident but not overly sweet. Many parents will be glad to find such a reassuring picture book that realistically acknowledges children's experiences with memory disorders in the elderly and encourages a loving response. Pair with the similarly named Little Mama Forgets (2006) by Robin Cruise. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763619892
• ISBN-13: 978-0763619893
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 0.4 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,492,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Little Grandmother Often Forgets, May 8, 2008

By 

Betty (New Canaan, CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My Little Grandmother Often Forgets (Hardcover)

A very touching story by Reeve Lindbergh (daughter of the aviator). It is modeled on her mother Anne Morrow Lindbergh's life in later years as her memory starts to fail and a her special touching relationship she has with her grandson. A beautiful book to teach patience to grandchildren whose grandparents may be forgetful at times.

4.0 out of 5 stars My Little Grandmother, July 9, 2010

By 

R. Frederick "heatwave_6" (Bellevue, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My Little Grandmother Often Forgets (Hardcover)

I bought several of these books for my grandchildren and nieces and nephews. My mother in law has demetia. Hoping it helps them understand better.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for young children AND adults, September 15, 2008

By 

Laurel B. Puchalski "Child Care Director" (Groveland, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Little Grandmother Often Forgets (Hardcover)

Whimsical, yet endearing and truthful children's book written in rhyme, dealing with the elderly and dementia. Great for starting up conversations! Also great for putting some loving humor into a not-so-humorous condition for those who work with or live with those with dementia.