Lovely Old Lion

July 1, 2015
What happens when Grandpa can't remember? Lenny's grandfather is the king of the forest, but lately he's been forgetting things, like Lenny's name. Is there anything Lenny can do to help? Sweet, colorful pictures accompany this gentle story about dementia; those familiar with Varley's earlier books will find the pictures comfortingly familiar, and all will appreciate the warmth and appealing details present on each page. As they are introduced to the idea that King Lion is growing ever more confused, young readers and listeners are sure to sympathize with Lenny's efforts as he brings together neighbors and friends to remind his grandfather of his earlier years. Mentions of Grandpa's issues and behavior are straightforward yet general, leaving room for adults to provide additional information as needed, while the story's structure mirrors the cycle of life and provides supportive reminders about the inevitability of loss, change, growth, and age in an organic way. Most appropriate for a child coping with such a situation, this is a selection that explains the concept of memory loss well and will help develop compassion in all who read it.A supportive, honest, and needed explanation of Alzheimer's-type illnesses. (Picture book. 4-8)

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October 1, 2015

K-Gr 3-Young Lenny loves his grandfather, King Lion, very much. But Lenny has noticed that his grandpa is beginning to change from his once proud, kind, and stately self to a tired, forgetful, and sometimes not-so-kind fellow. Lenny gains understanding with a little help from Hippo, who explains that as King Lion gets old, "bits of him are wearing out" and that his brain isn't working quite as well as it did and so he forgets things. Lenny's marble collection, a gift from Grandpa, lets King Lion recall some enjoyable experiences from his youth. Aging, however, is inevitable, as is growing up. Later, when Lenny becomes king, with his own son, he always remembers his grandfather. And he reminds the young animals "to be kind to their grandpas and grandmas, and to help them remember." Though purposeful, the gentle telling bypasses explicit death and the harsher parts of dealing with aging. Images, rendered by the illustrator of Badger's Parting Gift (HarperCollins, 1984), of the animal kingdom are equally gentle. VERDICT This title may be used as a complement to Mem Fox's Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (1985).-Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library

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