Wordsworth Dances the Waltz [Hardcover]

Frances H. Kakugawa (Author), Melissa DeSica (Illustrator)

Book Description

Wordsworth, the little Hawaiian mouse who loves poetry, doesn't understand why there is so much whispering around the house since Grandma came to live with his family. He remembers her last visit, when the house was filled with laughter, and he and Grandma danced around the room together. But now, Wordsworth and his siblings have to walk softly and be quiet so they don't disturb Grandma. In Wordsworth Dances the Waltz, children are introduced to the concept that as grandparents age, they may become different, and even forget important things. Wordsworth finds comfort in writing poems that express his confusion over the changes in his beloved grandparent and the fond memories he has of her more vibrant days. He wonders, "Now that shes losing her memory/She's still my Grandma, isnt she?" The answer, of course, is yes — nothing could ever change that. Wordsworth's poems help his family understand that Grandma would still like to do things she always loved — spending time with the family, laughing and dancing.

Wordsworth Dances the Waltz is dedicated to author Frances Kakugawa's late mother, Matsue, who was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Frances was her primary caregiver for five years; during that time she found that poetry and journaling helped to ease the rigorous burden of caregiving.

Wordsworth Dances the Waltz received the Bronze Award in the Best Book Overall category, as well as the award for Best Illustrated Children's Book from the Northern California Publishers & Authors (NCPA) group for books published in 2007.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frances Kakugawa is a retired Hawaii educator. Originally from the Big Island, she taught for many years in the Hawaii public school system, as well as serving as a teacher trainer and curriculum writer/lecturer for the University of Hawaii and the State Dept. of Education. She has also taught in classrooms in Michigan and Micronesia. Through her workshops and speaking engagements, she is a leading advocate of the power of poetry to enrich the lives of children, the elderly and those who care for them.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Watermark Publishing; 1 edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979064732
• ISBN-13: 978-0979064739
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 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: #668,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frances Kakugawa - A Description:

Frances Kakugawa, who currently resides in Sacramento, was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kapoho, which was demolished by lava when she was 18 years old. She has taught for many years in the Michigan and Hawaii public school systems; conducted language arts workshops for teachers in Micronesia and in Hawaii; and was a curriculum writer and lecturer for the University of Hawaii.

In 2002, she was recognized in the "Living Legacy: Outstanding Women of the 20th Century in Hawaii" book. Today, she continues to write, conducts writing support groups for caregivers, gives writing workshops for adults and children, and gives lectures on caregiving and writing throughout the U.S. These projects are being done in conjunction with organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California, Del Oro Caregiver's Resource Center and similar groups. A new project is currently being developed to provide support and writing workshops for children who live in families with members who suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia-related illnesses.

Frances has published eight volumes of poetry; a work on writing and poetry for caregivers ("Mosaic Moon"); "Teacher You Look Like a Horse!", which recalls her classroom experiences and lifelong career as an elementary school teacher; and, two works in her award winning 'Wordsworth' children's series. Her poem, "The Enemy Wore My Face," has been selected as the opening work for the Rising Sun portal of the World Peace Monument (www.peacemonument.org).

Works that are currently being readied for publication include:

-- "One Chopstick Marriage"; a collection of short stories recalling the experiences of growing up as a Japanese-American girl in a small village in the Hawaiian Islands after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and, of her ensuing journey to become a successful writer.

-- "Silk & Steel", a collection of poems and talk-story spanning 50 years of writing.

-- "The Caregivers Voice - Breaking the Silence" - Second in the series on writing as a tool for health professionals and caregivers including a collection contributed poetry from the experiences and writing of caregivers.

-- "Wordsworth, Stop the Bulldozers!" is the third volume in the Wordsworth children's series. Wordsworth The Poet and his friends face the challenge of encroaching development threatening to destroy the environment and take over their town.

-- "It's In Your Pocket, Wordsworth," finds Wordsworth's friends mysteriously absent as a whole slew of gadgets, from ipods and video-games to cell-phones and tweets, appear on the scene.


more information can be found at www.francesk.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be a part of every elementary school and community library picturebook collection, September 6, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wordsworth Dances the Waltz (Hardcover)

Wordsworth the Poet is a little mouse who is worried about his Granda. She's is losing her memory and having trouble doing things she used to be able to do quite easily. What can Wordsworth as a loving grandson do to help his Grandma? This is the story and premise for "Wordworth Dances The Waltz", a superbly written picturebook story by Frances H. Kakugawa which is enhanced throughout with the full color illustrations of Melissa DeSica. Just what can Wordsworth do? Well for one thing, writes some poetry to express the situation and his feelings. In the end, Wordsworth comes to understand that despite all the changes in his Grandma's behavior, he still loves her and always will. "Wordworth Dances The Waltz" is an especially recommended picturebook for young children experiencing the phenomena of memory loss, Alzheimers, and other forms of dementia manifesting within their own grandparents. Simply stated, "Wordworth Dances The Waltz" should be a part of every elementary school and community library picturebook collection for young children.

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just another children's book..., May 20, 2009

By 

red slider "red" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wordsworth Dances the Waltz (Hardcover)

As with all of Kakugawa's other works, this one provides powerful insights to young and old alike, without the overbearing moralizing often thinly disguised in childrens literature. In this case, the lessons are multilayered. It breaks the 'ice-puzzle' for kids who live in households where grandma or grandpa's "condition" is still some kind of mysterious secret. The easy lesson is that those suffering from Alzheimer's remain family members, with the need for respect and love no different from any other family member - even if their needs for care may differ. The more difficult lesson is that we have as much to gain from the people we care for as they have from us. Kids will pick up on that on first reading. Adults may take a few more reads before they get it. It's a 'must read' for all kids and a reminder for anyone who thinks people with dementia are useless and strange. Ms. Kakugawa also conducts workshops and support groups for the Alzheimer's Assn. and other organizations. The book makes it clear that she's no arm-chair story-teller when it comes to caring for and about people. If there was another star, I'd give it to 'Wordsworth Dances the Waltz' hands down.