Grandpa's Music

A Story About Alzheimer's

Plot Summary

Grandpa takes care of the garden, kneads bread, and makes music on the piano.  Everyone in Callie's family helps out around the house, now that Grandpa, who has Alzheimer's, lives with them.  The family becomes Grandpa's "home team," and Callie loves spending time with them. 

As months go by, Grandpa forgets more, and he can't do as much as he could before.  But he can still make music - his fingers remember the notes on the piano.  And when he can't recall the words to a favorite old song, Callie helps him come up with new things that they can sing about together. 

Alison Acheson's thoughtful storytelling and Bill Farnsworth's touching paintings portray a family that learns to adapt to the challenges of Alzheimer's disease while making the very best of their time together.

Awards

2011 IBBY Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities

Reviews

A "touching, beautifully illustrated story of shared experiences between a young girl and her grandfather." Booklist (Online Review)

"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." School Library Journal

"Farnsworth masterfully portrays the emotions and activities that pass between Callie and Grandpa." Kirkus Reviews

Associated Keywords
Alzheimer's; family; intergeneration; forget; piano; song