Grandpa’s Music: A Story About Alzheimer’s by Alison Acheson is a glimpse into the progressive disease called Alzheimer’s.
Young Callie’s family welcomes her grandfather into their home to take care of him. Grandpa begins his stay by working in the garden, helping with dinner, and playing the piano. Over the course of about a year, Grandpa’s gardening skills decline, and he begins to forget the lyrics to his favorite songs. He even forgets where the piano is. Callie is a compassionate granddaughter who helps Grandpa, sometimes with joyful humor. Bill Farnsworth illustration paintings soften the harsh reality of living with Alzheimer's.
This is not a story about the stress her parents may feel caring for two children and a parent. It’s not a story that lingers on the details of how difficult life must be in many areas of Grandpa’s life. All we need to know is that Alzheimer’s does not completely steal Grandpa’s music. He may forget the lyrics, but his fingers remember how to play the songs. When he moves out of the family home and into “a place with doctors and nurses”, he sees a piano and sits down to play. Then, Callie and Grandpa sing their own made-up songs.
This book is read aloud online by Evening Star.
