Grandpa's Music

October 1, 2009
K-Gr 3-This story concentrates on how the relationship between a child and her grandfather, who has Alzheimer's disease, changes but remains loving and strong. When Grandpa comes to live with her family, Callie's parents make a chart so everyone can remember their responsibilities. Grandpa's jobs are to garden, knead bread, and peel potatoes. Callie impulsively adds, "Make music," thereby establishing a bond that will link the two of them even as her grandfather's memory worsens. When he can't remember a song's lyrics, he and Callie cheerfully make them up. The passage of a year realistically depicts Grandpa's changing medical condition. Even when he must go to a nursing home, however, Callie and Grandpa play the piano and sing together. The illustrations, rendered in oil paint, are lit with a warm glow that captures the family's feelings. Grandpa's face shows his confusion as well as his enjoyment of the music. By concentrating on the girl's perspective, the book presents a simple but powerful message for children who may face a similar situation. The story does not deny the sadness of Alzheimer's, but demonstrates a way to continue loving the person the relative becomes."Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA"

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