FARAWAY GRANDPA
by Roberta Karim
illustrated by Ted Rand
Henry Holt & Co.
ISBN 0-8050-6785-X
Young Kathleen loves visiting her grandfather at his faraway home each summer to sing songs and play games, but when he becomes forgetful and comes to live with her and her parents, she can still share special times with him...
One summer, Grandpa Danny and Kathleen sang their newfound favorite song: "Danny Boy." That was the summer Grandpa taught her about listening with her heart and not her ears.
The next summer, Gramps had forgotten Kathleen was coming to visit. He forgot to make ice cream for their special root beer floats. His head seemed to be in the clouds.
The family brought their Faraway Grandpa to live with them. And even on Grandpa Danny's most cloudy days, Kathleen knew that when she sang "Danny Boy," he was listening with his heart.
This story of love and devotion between a grandchild and grandparent will touch hearts young and old.
Includes the sheet music and lyrics for "Danny Boy."
Awards & Recommendations
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A Best Children’s Book of the Year -- Bank Street College of Education
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Missourian Children's Book Buzz Picks
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Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List
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Oppenheim Toy Portfolio -- Best Toys, Books, Videos, Music & Software for Kids
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Alzheimer's Association book lists
Reviews
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NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
"Roberta Karim covers a difficult subject with lots of heart."
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SPARKS: CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JOURNAL
"As Grandpa continues to be forgetful, Kathleen is always there to remind him of their favorite song and traditions. The illustrations are beautiful and the story touching. This book will help children understand Alzheimer's disease."
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ALA BOOKLIST
"Written from a child's viewpoint, this picture book tells the story of a beloved grandfather with Alzheimer's disease. In Rand's warm, pencil-and-watercolor paintings and Karim's short, unrhymed lines, the quiet scenarios of hurt and humiliation and heartfelt love tell the truth."
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KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Rand's lovely pastels, furnishings, and clothing recall a bygone era with the warmth of this intergenerational bond."
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SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"The story's dominant themes of distance, loneliness, and loss appear in the title, in the lyrics of Grandpa's favorite song, and most obviously when he gets lost in Kathleen's house. Still, she always helps him find his way back, however briefly. Rand's pencil, watercolor, and acrylic art depicts the period with warmth and detail."
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AMAZON REVIEWER
"I marveled at Kathleen's loving response to her grandfather's illness and her determination to maintain their close bond despite his faraway mind. Karim's engaging prose and Rand's lively illustrations make a heartbreaking subject easy to digest." -- Ann B. Weaver
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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
"Karim injects levity into this emotional subject (Alzheimer's). Faraway Grandpa gives us a glimpse into the spirit of the Irish through Karim's rich melodic text."
Meet the Illustrator
This is Ted Rand's seventy-fifth picture book! His others include KNOTS ON A COUNTING ROPE, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, and MARY WAS A LITTLE LAMB, by his wife, Gloria. Being a grandfather himself, Mr. Rand felt a powerful connection to FARAWAY GRANDPA and the special relationship between Kathleen and her grandfather.
Ted Rand at home with his wife Gloria
At School And Beyond
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“Using Fiction to Help Kids Learn About Alzheimer’s" (hubpages.com)
"It's estimated that 20 million American families have a relative suffering from Alzheimer's. While it's hard for adult children to deal with the ravages of this disease on their aging parents, it can be even harder for grandchildren to understand what's happening to their beloved Grandma or Grandpa.
In FARAWAY GRANDPA by Roberta Karim, a young girl learns that even though Grandpa no longer remembers her name, he can still sing his favorite song with her -- 'Danny Boy,' which helps them stay emotionally connected.
Suggested activity: Have a sing-a-long at the next family gathering that includes the Alzheimer's patient. Sing simple tunes like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or some of the patient's favorite childhood songs. Record or videotape the singing and make a copy for the patient to take home with him/her." -- Registered Nurse, Delaware -
"Music at Thurston" (Thurston Elementary School, Ann Arbor MI)
"Suggested Music Book: FARAWAY GRANDPA by Roberta Karim Kathleen sang the high notes and Grandpa the bass on their favorite song, 'Danny Boy.' Evan as Grandpa’s mind gets cloudy and shadowy, their song helps him connect to her with his heart.”
More Reviews
Karim injects levity into this emotional subject when the now close Grandpa promises not to pick Mrs. McConacky's marigolds, but forgets the gist of the promise and picks Mrs. McC's petunias instead. When the shadowy days happen, Kathleen sings 'Danny Boy' with Grandpa, and reminds all with or without Irish blood to listen with their hearts. FARAWAY GRANDPA gives us a glimpse into the spirit of the Irish through Karim's rich melodic text.” -- Sue Stefurak, CL
In Rand's warm, pencil-and-watercolor paintings and Karim's short, unrhymed lines, the quiet scenarios of hurt and humiliation and heartfelt love tell the truth.” -- Hazel Rochman, ALA
He comes home with them and a series of incidents indicates Gramps is suffering from something like Alzheimer's: he puts eggs in his sock drawer and he forgets yesterday. But Kathleen sings 'Danny Boy' with him, pretends that they are on his front porch, and with a loving heart, is a true companion to him. Rand's lovely pastels, furnishings, and clothing recall a bygone era with the warmth of this intergenerational bond.”
The story's dominant themes of distance, loneliness, and loss appear in the title, in the lyrics of Grandpa's favorite song, and most obviously when he gets lost in Kathleen's house. Still, she always helps him find his way back, however briefly. Rand's pencil, watercolor, and acrylic art depicts the period with warmth and detail.” -- Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, South Carolina
-– Jacquelyn Wells, Pre-Service Teacher, Early Childhood Education
This picture book tells of Kathleen's visit in the summer of 1916, and how Kathleen notices that Grandpa has grown very forgetful and does not remember their usual teasing games and dialogue. When Grandpa comes to live with Kathleen and her family, Kathleen discovers that their favorite song, the Irish tune "Danny Boy" can magically, if briefly, bring back Grandpa Danny's wit and cleverness. As Kathleen explained, it is because 'my Grandpa Danny listens with his heart.'
Karim's text and Rand's water color and acrylic enhanced pencil illustrations blend to present a warm inspiring story of a curious youngster who calmly and lovingly deals with a grandparent with memory loss. Although recommended for grades K-3, this title will pull at the reader's heartstrings regardless of age. Included at the end of the book are the words and music for 'Danny Boy.'
Reviewer: Sandra L. Tidwell
Rating: Outstanding
In the gentle FARAWAY GRANDPA, author Roberta Karim covers a difficult subject with lots of heart, telling how Kathleen still finds ways to have fun with her grandpa despite his deteriorating memory.”