Book Descriptions
for Still My Grandma by Veronique Van Den Abeele and Claude DuBois
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Camille’s visits to her grandma’s are marked by ritual: they always look at old photos and go shopping, they always walk through the park, and the night always ends with stories about grandma’s childhood, a special kiss, and a special song. “Then, a few months ago, Grandma started acting differently.” She doesn’t remember the things they always do, she calls Camille “Susan,” and she puts orange juice on cereal at breakfast. An authentic portrait of Alzheimer’s Disease from the perspective of a child acknowledges inevitable change as new ways of being together develop for Camille and her grandma. The one constant is Camille’s love: “It’s true that she’s not the same person she used to be but she’s still my Grandma and I love her very much.” Intimate, soft-hued illustrations capture the tender emotional tenor of the story. (Ages 4–8)
CCBC Choices 2008. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2008. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Camille and her grandma have a special friendship. They have sleepovers, bake chocolate cupcakes together, go out shopping, and giggle at old photographs. But one day Grandma forgets Camille's name. Then she can't remember where to put her shoes.Camille learns that her grandma is sick, but "not the kind where you cough and blow your nose." Grandma has Alzheimer's disease, which is what makes her do strange things. And even though Grandma has to move out of her house and rely on nurses to care for her, Camille finds a way to continue their special traditions.With charming, sensitive illustrations, this story gently introduces young readers to the realities of Alzheimer's disease, and reminds them that love is more powerful than any illness can be.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.