My New Granny - Hardcover

Steinkellner, Elisabeth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1620872234 ISBN 13: 9781620872239

Publisher: Sky Pony Press, 2012

Synopsis

Fini’s granny has changed. Before, she would comment on Fini’s strange hair styles, help her feed the ducks in the park, had traveled all over the world, and was an amazing cook. Now, Fini’s granny admires wacky hairdos, eats the bread crumbs meant for the ducks in the park, and does not travel or cook anymore. Eventually, Granny has to come live with Fini and her family because she needs to be watched, almost like a little child. She needs help dressing and washing, falls asleep underneath the kitchen table, and has a woman named Agatha that comes to care for her, like a babysitter. Fini is unsure of what to think of this “new” granny—she looks the same but she certainly acts like a completely different person.

My New Granny is a heartwarming and important story about a grandparent who is suffering from dementia and how a grandchild can learn to accept this change in personality in a loved one. With an estimated 5.4 million people affected by Alzheimer’s in the United States, this is an essential resource for many children who may have a grandparent suffering from this disease. Elisabeth Steinkellner’s text captures the thought process of children while Michael Roher’s simple yet evocative illustrations paint a realistic picture of how to cope with dementia in a family.

About this title

About the Author:

Elisabeth Steinkellner was born in 1981 and grew up in southern Lower Austria. For a long time she wanted nothing more than to be a circus performer. When she was twelve, however, she changed her mind and decided she wanted to become a writer, a marine biologist, or a window decorator. After graduating from high school she trained as a social worker and now writes children's books.

Michael Roher was born in 1980 in Lower Austria, and spent his childhood and youth in Krems. After high school and community service, he moved to Vienna, where he trained as a social worker. His love of the circus led him to do circus play and educational work with children and adolescents. Since he can remember, though, drawing has been one of his favorite pastimes.

From School Library Journal:

K-Gr 2-Fini's grandmother extraordinaire is a well-traveled, exceptional cook of exotic dishes, who takes her to outings in the park. To Fini's young eyes, her granny became entirely different after a trip to the hospital. This granny can no longer live on her own, let alone travel. She also behaves oddly, eating breadcrumbs meant to feed the ducks and using the stove to warm her hands. Originally published in Austria, the story gives a gentle introduction to children about the effects of dementia on their loved ones and their family life. The sepia pages and illustrations allude to fading but still precious memories, while whimsical elements like friendly mice integrated into each scene keep the tone light. While stopping short of showing the truly heartbreaking aspects of the disease, the book as a whole effectively captures a child's coping process from sadness and misunderstanding to patience and acceptance. The lesson-that while granny has changed, love remains the same-rings true.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Sky Pony Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1620872234
• ISBN 13: 9781620872239
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Roher Michael