My Grandpa

PreS-Gr 1—This gentle and affecting book is narrated by a young bear whose grandfather is exhibiting signs of advanced age and dementia. The simple text uses single sentences that vacillate between the joy of the pair's loving bond and the young bear's honest look at Grandpa's decline. "At times he behaves like an old man. At times he's like a child. Occasionally he doesn't recognize me… but my hugs can solve it." Watercolor illustrations in a palette of red, brown, and beige contrast the vibrancy of the young bear (red) against his grandpa (muted beige). In spite of the weighty topic, the cartoon spreads have charm and humor, as when Grandpa stands in front of the television holding an umbrella because he's "lost." Evident throughout is the affection, care, and love these two exhibit toward one another, even as their roles are slowly reversing. An accessible and touching look at aging for young children.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library