Does Grandma
Remember Us?
Remember Us?
Grandma Bibi is a children’s book about shared memories and love. It tackles memory loss as a family issue and opens a dialogue for families to discuss what is happening to grandma or grandpa.
This book is based on the author’s experience with her own Mother’s memory loss.
“What do I say when grandma doesn’t remember me?” asked Jackie. “If grandma does not remember me, why should I go and visit her?”
These are all important questions that need to be addressed. The book asks questions and then provides an example of how Jackie might relate to her grandmother’s memory loss. Each one of us needs love and understanding no matter where our memory has gone.
The story is an emotional journey for Jackie and the reader who has experienced this issue first hand.
These are all important questions that need to be addressed. The book asks questions and then provides an example of how Jackie might relate to her grandmother’s memory loss. Each one of us needs love and understanding no matter where our memory has gone.
The story is an emotional journey for Jackie and the reader who has experienced this issue first hand.
Reviews
ILHAM ALAM: STORY MUMMY
GRANDMA BIBI BY VICKI RISKE
December 2, 2020
This is a very touching book as it deals with elder dementia and losing a beloved grandparent to this neurological disorder. And it does it in a lighthearted and child-friendly way because the main characters are bunnies (who doesn’t love bunnies)!
In many ways, the person that they once were and what you loved about them, dies, once they lose their ability to recognize you and the remembrance of their love for you. You may even want to have a discussion with your child about philosophical things like, “What makes a person?”; “Is love something that lives forever or does it only survive as long as the memory of it survives?” With younger readers, you can even ask them why they love their grandparents or what it is about their grandparents that they love? Or what is their favourite memory of them?
My grade schooler read this book by himself and then I discussed the subtext of the story, which is about GrandMa Bibi’s dementia and what dementia is.
The author was inspired to write this book based on her own mother who was living in a long-term care home due to her dementia. However, the author’s mother passed away earlier this year due to COVID-19, that has ravaged through long-term care homes worldwide.
So after you read this book, please think of all the beloved elders you have in your own life and continue to practice strict hand hygiene (wash your hands with warm water & soap frequently); mask wearing while out in indoor settings in public (3 ply face masks recommended. Mask & face shield add an extra layer) and DO NOT gather in big groups during the Holidays, as much as it’ll hurt not to see your own loved ones in this special time of year. We all need to do our part to not only reduce infection rates but also to protect the health of our loved ones and our community too.
Did you also know that the author is a puppeteer too? You can check out her website to order Puppets, Make an Order for your uniquely designed Puppets and print off your own DIY Puppets. Check out: We Are Puppeteers
In many ways, the person that they once were and what you loved about them, dies, once they lose their ability to recognize you and the remembrance of their love for you. You may even want to have a discussion with your child about philosophical things like, “What makes a person?”; “Is love something that lives forever or does it only survive as long as the memory of it survives?” With younger readers, you can even ask them why they love their grandparents or what it is about their grandparents that they love? Or what is their favourite memory of them?
My grade schooler read this book by himself and then I discussed the subtext of the story, which is about GrandMa Bibi’s dementia and what dementia is.
The author was inspired to write this book based on her own mother who was living in a long-term care home due to her dementia. However, the author’s mother passed away earlier this year due to COVID-19, that has ravaged through long-term care homes worldwide.
So after you read this book, please think of all the beloved elders you have in your own life and continue to practice strict hand hygiene (wash your hands with warm water & soap frequently); mask wearing while out in indoor settings in public (3 ply face masks recommended. Mask & face shield add an extra layer) and DO NOT gather in big groups during the Holidays, as much as it’ll hurt not to see your own loved ones in this special time of year. We all need to do our part to not only reduce infection rates but also to protect the health of our loved ones and our community too.
Did you also know that the author is a puppeteer too? You can check out her website to order Puppets, Make an Order for your uniquely designed Puppets and print off your own DIY Puppets. Check out: We Are Puppeteers
| Released: December 16, 2019 Pages: 36 Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1-7341268-0-8 Hard Cover: ISBN: 978-1-7341268-1-5 Age Range: 5-8 Author: Vicki Riske Illustrator: Laura Best |
Author: Vicki Riske
Vicki is originally from Minot, ND, but has been living in Mesa, AZ for over 30 years. She has been interested in puppetry and storytelling for many years. She created puppets for theatre productions at NDSU in Fargo, ND.
Now Vicki writes and illustrates children’s books, designs and builds custom puppets. Her first book The Polka Dot Tea Party, published this year, is about friendship and finding shapes in nature.
Illustrator: Laura Best
Laura Best is an artist living and working in Phoenix, Arizona. She recently received a Contemporary Forum Artist Grant and a Pollock-Krasner grant and has appeared on Arizona Horizon Art Beat.
She has completed several public murals including a new, temporary art piece on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. “Rise,” is a unique public art piece showcasing decommissioned street signs that depict the sky transitioning from sunrise to sunset.
