Nine-year-old Tamika Jordan dreads visiting her grandmother at the nursing home. Momma Lou has Alzheimer’s and always forgets who Tamika is. But when Tamika’s father shows her Momma Lou’s scrapbooks, the young girl gets the idea of jogging Momma Lou’s memory. During each visit, she shows her grandmother memorabilia from the scrapbook: Momma Lou dressing Tamika like an angel for a Christmas pageant, marching in a civil rights demonstration, and singing “We Shall Overcome” with other jailed protesters. One day Momma Lou recognizes a newspaper clipping and leads everybody in a celebration of song.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
"I still don't see why we have to do this every week," says nine-year-old Tamika Louella Jordan about Sunday visits to the nursing home. "Half the time Momma Lou doesn't even know who we are." In Singing with Momma Lou by Linda Jacobs Altman, illus. by Larry Johnson, Tamika searches for a way to help her grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer's, access her memories. Back matter includes information about the disease and provides the names of three related organizations. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5-It's Sunday, and the rainy sky is as gray as Tamika's mood as she and her family set off for their weekly visit to the nursing home. The Jordans are going to see Momma Lou, who has Alzheimer's disease. The nine-year-old must reintroduce herself to this aged lady every week, and the whole situation makes her resentful and uncomfortable. Later, poring over old photo albums with her father, she sees Momma Lou dressed for her wedding in an African bridal robe, cuddling her newborn namesake, and dressing Tamika like an angel for her first Christmas pageant. Seeing these pictures makes the girl try to give Momma Lou her memories back by showing her the photos. Sometimes they seem to trigger a response in the old woman's eyes, especially the shot of her in jail following a protest march. "My secret life of crime," says Momma Lou, before bursting into laughter and song. Soon people in the nursing home are singing "We Shall Overcome" along with her. This is the last time that Tamika really talks with her grandmother, who declines rapidly after this visit, leaving the child sad, yet happy to have her memories. The book concludes with a brief description of the disease and a list of resources for further information. This bibliotherapeutic title will help to serve a need, and the story is straightforward and inspirational. Johnson's acrylic paintings are done in somber and institutional hues, which prove a suitable backdrop for this thoughtful story.
Anna DeWind Walls, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Anna DeWind Walls, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a wonderful book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Singing with Momma Lou (Hardcover)
I grew up in the 1960's. Singing with Momma Lou is such a wonderful heartwarming story. I use it to teach my students about aging, diversity and hope. I recommend this book to anyone who cares about children and their relationsip with aging grandparents.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
It was Sunday again, and raining. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Momma Lou New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
It was Sunday again, and raining. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Momma Lou New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
5
books
cite this book:
- The Complete Guide to Service Learning: Proven, Practical Ways to Engage Students in Civic Responsibility, Academic Curriculum, & Social Action by Cathryn Berger Kaye on page 116
- Sing Me a Story! Tell Me a Song!: Creative Curriculum Activities for Teachers of Young Children by Hilda Jackman on page 34
- Legend of Freedom Hill by Linda Jacobs Altman in Front Matter
- School-Based Crisis Intervention: Preparing All Personnel to Assist (Practical Intervention in the Schools) by Melissa Allen Heath in Back Matter
- What To Do When The Doctor Says It's Early Stage Alzheimer's: All the Medical, Lifestyle, and Alternative Medicine Information You Need To Stay Healthy and Prevent Progression by Winnie Yu in Back Matter
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