Critical Issues Books (2)

My Little Grandmother Often Forgets

Lindbergh, R. (2007). My little grandmother often forgets. Massachusetts : Candlewick press.

ISBN # 978-0-7636-1989-3

This book is about a boy whose grandmother is absent-minded because she is too old to remember. She often forgets where she put things such as glasses, her ring, shoes and sometimes his name, too. And she says the same things repeatedly. When he went to a store, with his grandmother, she lost her way back and he had to help her keep track. They have to live together because she is too old. However, the boy knows his grandmother loves him and now, they spend more time together than ever before.

This book can be helpful for 3-5 years children since they can have relationship with their grandparents who can have health problems or struggle with the issues that come with aging. Children can have some understandings why grandparents are weak and sometimes forget.

The illustrations are pretty and bright because they use a lot of pink and bright green. The grandmother looks cute because of her hair. Overall, it provides a calm atmosphere and gives children an opportunity to think about their grandparents.

Ways to present the book:

1) Story basket – We can prepare a story basket with the boy and boy’s family characters out of the book. Put them into a basket. Keep some of the grandmother’s stuffs in the basket such as glasses, ring and shoes. When you present the story, not only you bring out characters from the basket, but also you have to bring out her stuffs from it and hide them back inside again. Children are excited to tell you what is missing and tell you where it is. It can give some understanding of forgetting.

2) Reading the book with music – I think it will be good to read this book with music. We can choose soft music for this. Teachers should use pretending voice like old ladies so children can be captivated by the story more.

3) Felt board - You can make a felt board with characters or buy them at 3HCraftworks. You also need to prepare real stuffs such as glasses, ring and shoes, too. And you can hide them somewhere close to children in the class before the reading. And ask children where they can find them. It arouses a lot of interests because they think it is a hide-and-seek game.

Extensions:

1) Drawing pictures – Children draw pictures of their grandparents and write some notes on it like “I love you” or “Take care”. They can take it home to show the family.

2) Making frames of photos of their grandparents – The day before reading the book, we can ask the parents to bring their grandparents pictures. With the photos children can talk about them to the class. And they make the frames of pictures with card boards and decorate them with such as seashells and beads.

3) Talk to the children about some ways we can help grandparents when they are forgetful. For instance, remind them where they put their keys, glasses and teacups for example. If some don’t have grandparents, they can think about helping other seniors.