Remember, Grandma?

If ever in Canada, and looking for a book about a grandmother and a granddaughter who share a whole lot of heart, please do not ask for 'Remember, Grandma?' Instead, ask for 'Mile-High Apple Pie.' Although these works are one in the same, the title is different in Canada than it is in the United States. This work, written by Laura Langston, who lives in Canada, and illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner, who lives in Scotland, was published in 2004 by both Random House (London) and Viking (New York). If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a copy of this work, whatever the title, reading it will certainly prove to be a vibrant and meaningful experience. Margaret lives with her family, including her grandmother. She and her grandmother spend a lot of quality time together. They read, they take walks and they even work together to bake Mile-High Apple Pie. Margaret's grandmother loves her very much. She supports her in many ways, including listening to Margaret when she plays the piano. However, Margaret's grandmother is becoming increasingly forgetful. This is discouraging to Margaret, especially when it gets to the point that her grandmother can not even remember her name. Through bright illustrations and the interesting font, size and alignment of each letter, 'Remember, Grandma?', is the tale of a young girls' journey to discovering what love and memories are all about. This is a story of realizing that that sometimes remembering is not as nearly as important as creating memories. Many children struggle with family members who are getting older and, as a result, are having trouble 'remembering'. This book can serve as a guide, a comfort and a reassurance to those children. While reading this work, which is filled to the brim with details and relatable moments, children can enjoy as well as benefit. Additionally, there is a certain human quality to the book, through the imperfectness and beauty of it, that all children can take meaning from, even if it does not mirror an exact situation in their own lives. Along with authors such as Tomie dePaola, Langston and Gardiner manage to highlight the issue of family, and its great importance. I would highly recommend sharing this book with children. However, it would be a pleasure for adults to experience as well. Ultimately, it is a simple, heartwarming tale in an innocently, stunning shell. As a result, it is a definite treasure that is sure to be appreciated by all readers.

This is a sensitive story for children, explaining what it's like to live with a grandparent with Alzheimer's disease. The love, joy and sadness in the text touched me deeply, as did the sunny, upbeat illustrations. I was especially delighted with the scenes of little Margaret and her father making mile-high apple pie with Grandma. The recipe for apple pie in the back is a nice touch, too, and I can imagine a child wanting to share the love and warmth of making something with a "not-remembering" Grandma.