Really and Truly

February 1, 2013

K-Gr 4-Charlie reminisces about the stories and tricks Grandpa shared with him. Now, "an awful disease has eaten up his memory and his words. It has even swallowed up his smile." The youngster uses the stories and tricks he learned from his grandfather to entice him to respond with a look, a swallow of food, or a hug. When a trick yields a smile, Charlie says, "His awful disease didn't eat up his smile. It was just hidden away, deep down in the bottom of his heart." The amusing, heartfelt narrative reassures readers that people with dementia can have a range of responses during visits. Beautiful, expressive cartoonish illustrations extend the text and capture the past, the present, and the imagination with warmth and humor. A valuable addition to library collections, hospitals, and assisted-living facilities.-Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2012
Charlie's close relationship with his grandfather is changed because of dementia. Charlie's grandfather told amazing stories when Charlie was a little boy. Whether it was a tale of pirates in the attic or a backyard witch or the gnome who lived in the basement, Grandpa had a fantastic explanation for everything. But now that Charlie is older and Grandpa has a disease that has "eaten up his memory and his words," Charlie and his parents are heartbroken. Charlie's grandfather prefers watching cars to conversing with the family, but Charlie pulls out one of his grandfather's old stories, which causes Grandpa to turn toward the family. He uses the same tactic, with success, when Grandpa refuses to eat or to smile. He even has a trick when Grandpa no longer recognizes his family. Rich colors and humorous details elevate the illustrations in this well-meaning, but overly optimistic volume for the youngest reader. The fantastic is shown in black ink, with the witch, gnome and pirate mischievously cavorting, while Charlie and his grandfather's moods are reflected in the background colors. While this might be comforting to children whose older relatives are in the early stages of dementia, it's hard to see how any of Charlie's strategies would work when the disease progresses. Valuable enough, but limited. (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2012) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.