Product Description

This book is intended for ages 4-8. Every day, children of all ages are forced to confront the reality that a family member has Alzheimer's Disease. With so many 'adult' discussions going on, a child sometimes feels left out and confused. "What's Wrong with Grandma?" speaks to the children trying to cope with an elder who's acting very strange. Young Ellen expresses, as only a child can, the frustration, sadness, and even anger felt toward Grandma's peculiar behaviour, her lapses of memory, and her unexplained fears. But she also captures the warmth and humour of special moments the family shares with Grandma.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #250344 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 62 pages

From Booklist
Gr. 3^-6. "Mom, what really is wrong with Grandma, anyway?" asks Ellen as she contemplates the changes she has witnessed over the past several months. Her once independent grandmother now forgets to turn off the stove, cannot find her way home from the beauty parlor or around the block, and cannot even dress herself correctly. The litany of symptoms, from the merely annoying to the terrifying, describes, of course, the insidiousness of Alzheimer's disease. Shawver does a good job of cataloging the myriad emotions that overwhelm children as they watch a favorite relative sink deeper and deeper into that dark abyss--guilt, anger, frustration, sadness, confusion, hope. Even humor is salvaged as Ellen declares, "It's never dull around our house because we aren't ever quite sure what Grandma is going to do next!" A sadly necessary, accurate child's perspective of a debilitating disease. Frances Bradburn

Customer Reviews

I am proud of my mom!
This book was written by my wonderful mother. She saw first hand the devestating effects of Alzheimer's on my late Grandma Tener. We all miss her very much, but know that she is finally freed from this horrible disease, and is rejoicing in heaven with her beloved husband Ray.

My mother is an excellent writer and person. You won't be disappointed by purchasing this book. I am very proud of her.