Two Children's Books on Alzheimer's 

By Laura Langston and Maria Shriver respectively
Reviewed by

    The number of persons whose legacy is preserved through some form of enduring record, the conquest of an empire, the writing of a dramatic masterpiece, the composition of a timeless symphony, is exceedingly low. For most people personal memory is the medium through which their lives are preserved. Alzheimer’s disease disturbs us because it undermines the integrity of memory in much the same way that the stock market crash of 1929 undermined the integrity of our financial system. Panic, loss and helplessness jostle for place in any adult who experiences Alzheimer’s through a loved one.
    The degeneration and fallibility of memory, disorienting and disquieting for adults, is even more profoundly confusing to children. The task of proving a meaningful perspective on the advent and progression of Alzheimer’s in a beloved Grandparent is a worthy task taken up by two new picture books, What’s Happening to Grandpa?, by Maria Shriver, and Remember, Grandma, by Laura Langston.
Shriver’s book, illustrated by Sandra Speidel, has gotten a great deal of attention due, ironically, to Shriver’s personal fame. The book narrates the struggles of a young girl, Kate, to come to grips with her Grandfather’s Alzheimer’s . Though heartfelt, the story is overly descriptive, and explanatory, and far too long to hold the interest of a young audience.
    The characters and sentiments expressed in What’s Happening to Grandpa? are too idealized and conventional to be anything more than blandly, and unrealistically reassuring. Kate makes a scrapbook for her Grandfather so that he can look at the pictures and remember everyone. “It will help you. I know it will!” Shriver continues this line of unrealistic reassurance by having the Grandfather himself provide insight for Kate.” 'You know Kate, I might not remember what I just did and I may seem a little more confused than I used to be, but - no matter what - the important memories of my life will forever be in my heart. I’ll always remember falling in love with your grandma...I’ll always remember how I felt when your mom got married...I’ll always remember how proud I was to serve my country and how much I love my family.”
Since most children dealing with a Grandparent with advanced Alzheimer’s are dealing with someone who has in fact forgotten many important events of their life, including their Grandchildren, Shriver’s feel good reassurances are not likely to speak strongly to a child confronted with reality.
    Remember, Grandpa, by Laura Langston, illustrated by Lindsay Gardner, is narrated by a young girl, Margaret, whose Grandmother has come to live with them due to Alzheimer’s. “Once she had a houseboat and an art gallery by the sea. Then she played the piano and made mile-high apple pie. Now she sits in her special chair and rocks quick, quick, quick.” Margaret, with the help of her mother, gradually comes to see that her own memory can be used to support her grandmother’s failing one. “I giggle. ‘They are apples Grandma. They are for our pie. Remember?’ ‘No,’ she says with a frown. ‘That’s okay,’ I say. ‘I’ll remember for you.”
    One day Grandma can no longer remember Margaret. “At first I think she’s teasing. But then I see that look on her face and I know. My head gets all whooshy; my eyes start to sting. Grandma can’t remember who I am. I go to my room without giving her a hug.” Margaret keeps working her thoughts out until the day her Grandma comes home after being away a week. “Do you know who I am” I ask. Grandma’s eyes look confused. Finally she laughs. “You are my sweetness, the one who brings me flowers and plays the piano. You are my apple-cheeked bruise girl.’ At first I don’t understand. But then I smile. I am like the sweet parts in Grandma’s mile-high apple pie. Her favorite food...I am Margaret, I say. I am your remembering.”
    Remember, Grandma is everything What’s Happening to Grandpa? is not. Touching and insightful, it gradually develops one complex idea regarding memory, conveyed through a realistic child’s voice. Remember, Grandma is an absolutely magnificent book which provides real comfort and insight for anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s.