What's Happening to Grandpa? [Hardcover]

Maria Shriver (Author), Sandra Speidel (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Kate has always adored her grandpa's storytelling - but lately he's been repeating the same stories again and again. One day, he even forgets Kate's name. Her mother's patient explanations open Kate's eyes to what so many of the elderly must confront: Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory loss. Determined to support her grandfather, Kate explores ways to help him - and herself - cope by creating a photo album of their times together, memories that will remain in their hearts forever.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4–Shriver walks a girl through acceptance and a beginning understanding of her Grandpa's condition. Kate questions not just what can be done to address the changes Alzheimer's will bring within her own family but she also tries to place her concern in the larger context of growing old. She decides how to help her grandfather as he goes through this difficult time. Together they sit down with a box of photographs and his still-intact memories and create a scrapbook. This well-meaning book is clearly and lovingly written. Kate is admittedly "wise beyond her age," which serves the author well as the child becomes the voice of reason. Grandpa is known to talk to God and is grateful for having been granted a good life despite his current adversity. The book is squat and square, helping to establish intimacy. There is a soft focus to the pastel art that matches the tone of the story. The application of color is lively, scratchy yet self-contained, giving a sense of controlled movement. The art is especially effective at giving Grandpa energy and verve. Certain phrases are printed in a larger type on each page, giving multiple entries into the book's key concepts simply by reading these emphasized statements. As Grandpa says, "the important memories of my life will forever be in my heart." It's a warm and touching thought.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Roberta Karim's Faraway Grandpa.

PreS-Gr.3. Written from a child's viewpoint, these two picture books tell the story of a beloved grandfather with Alzheimer's disease. In Faraway Grandpa, set nearly a century ago, Kathleen visits her Grandpa Danny every summer, and they have uproarious fun together. He loves shenanigans, he teases her, and together they bellow out his song from Ireland, "Danny Boy." But one year, he forgets that she's coming, and eventually he comes to live with her family. He hides in her closets and does other silly things. He makes trouble with the neighbors, and he even forgets her name. But he remembers things from long ago, and always, he and Kathleen share the melancholy song. The old-fashioned setting distances the story, but it also shows that the illness is not new. In Rand's warm, pencil-and-watercolor paintings and Karim's short, unrhymed lines the quiet scenarios of hurt and humiliation and heartfelt love tell the truth.

In contrast, Shriver's characters are absolutely perfect, and her scenarios are pure bliss. Gushy words and misty pastel illustrations depict family members across three generations as unfailingly kind, strong, and understanding. Young Kate is "curious, sensitive, and wise beyond her age," and Grandpa had an "absolutely happy" life. Yet how supportive is this scenario when a child trying to cope with a beloved, ailing grandparent feels (and sees family members feeling) irritation, anger, and guilt? There will be many requests for this; it has been widely promoted and endorsed by Nancy Reagan. But the purposive story isn't what works; it's the information woven into the fiction. The clear facts about the disease, what to expect (Will Mom get it? Will Kate?), and how to cope are supported by an excellent list of resources and organizations to contact. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316001015
• ISBN-13: 978-0316001014
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Illness
  • #93 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Special Needs

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very helpful, May 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: What's Happening to Grandpa? (Hardcover)

It is good to have a book to read to children that will help them cope with a grandparent with Altzheimer's! I especially liked the expression of the many feelings that the book characters had. It made talking about feelings that we have easier. I think we will be reading this from time to time to keep in touch with each other through the process of this disease and how it relates to our family. Thank you for carrying it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and very touching, August 5, 2005

By 

frisky2000 "frisky2000" (Margaritaville) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What's Happening to Grandpa? (Hardcover)

Families can struggle with teaching children about aging and illness, especially when it hits so close to home with grandparents. Ms. Shriver has succeeded in putting all the sensitive feelings and thoughts that naturally occur when a loved ones develops Alzheimer's.
Soft watercolor pictures accompany meaningful text to describe families from all backgrounds as they begin the long and sometimes painful journey with seniors as their memories fade, they repeat themselves, can't remember things, and ask the same questions over and over.
Meant for older children, this book is a wonderful starting point to begin discussions of this topic with classes and/or your children at home.
So thorough is the coverage in this book that it even includes a wealth of additional resources in the back pages with websites and 800 #'s for further information on Alzheimer's education and aging.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Resource, May 28, 2004

By 

Jacqueline Marcell "Author, Speaker, Radio Host" (Irvine, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's Happening to Grandpa? (Hardcover)

It is hard enough for an adult to understand what it all means when a loved one is stricken with Alzheimer's, let alone a child. Maria has done a marvelous job of explaining it in terms that will help your children as well as yourself, understand, accept and cope with one of the hardest times any family can face.

-Jacqueline Marcell, Author 'Elder Rage', International Speaker Eldercare & Alzheimer's, Host 'Coping With Caregiving' Internet Radio Show at wsRadio