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What a Beautiful Morning
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Every morning is beautiful when Noah visits his Grandparents. When Grandpa and Noah wake up, they take off singing and hardly stop: walking the dog, splashing through puddles, and eating French toast with cinnamon.
But one summer Grandpa seems to have forgotten how to do the things they love. Does he even know who Noah is?
Grandma steps in energetically, filling in as best s ...more
But one summer Grandpa seems to have forgotten how to do the things they love. Does he even know who Noah is?
Grandma steps in energetically, filling in as best s ...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
August 9th 2016
by Running Press Kids
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A lovely, touching book about a boy who spends summers with his grandparents, and what happens when his grandfather starts to forget things. The grandparent with Alzheimers storyline hits very close to home for me, and this book was a beautiful tribute to how we try to hold on to the good, lucid moments. It handles the disease in a way that is not scary and appealing for young children to try to understand a confusing thing. The watercolor illustrations are very sweet, and the use of gray for a
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This is a very beautiful book to help children understand about a grandparent's dementia. The illustrations are just lovely, and the theme of song is a real treasure. If we've had anything to do with the elderly we know that music is the key to wonderful memories, and music is often used with those suffering dementia to get back in touch with the person hidden inside.
Parents, get your box of tissues handy - this book will have you explaining to your child how something can be sad and beautiful a ...more
Parents, get your box of tissues handy - this book will have you explaining to your child how something can be sad and beautiful a ...more

Ah! This post is entitled "When library searches go wrong..." This book came up under a search for Autumn books. I'm not sure how. I have no idea how it happened. But these things do happen. I know it's cataloged correctly (I checked). There's no accidental use of the word Autumn that I could see, and the book isn't set in Autumn either (it says it's summer but their clothes and flowers imply early spring). But hey, it's a book about some kids granddad getting dementia and forgetting who he is a
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Noah loves to spend his summer days with his Grandpa. Together, they sing each beautiful morning in with a big, booming song. Then, after bringing Grandma a hot cup of coffee, they take the dog out for a long walk, rain or shine, singing the whole way. When they come home, there's cinnamon French toast, thanks to Grandma. And after breakfast, Grandpa always asks Noah the same question: "what's on the docket" for the rest of the day.
But one morning, Grandpa forgets how to cut his French toast, fo ...more
But one morning, Grandpa forgets how to cut his French toast, fo ...more

This is a sweet picture book that gently explores the topic of aging and the onset of dementia. This is not an easy topic for young children to understand, and sharing this story might be a good way to help. Noah spends time visiting his grandparents every summer, and he has an especially close relationship with his grandfather. Many of their fun times are spent singing favorite songs enthusiastically. But one summer, Noah realizes that Grandpa is becoming forgetful and confused. It's upsetting
...more

A beautiful, sweet book about the bond between a grandson and his grandfather. They share special moments, singing their way through the day, until grandfather develops dementia. Effective use of color in highlighting the struggle grandfather faces. A nice book for younger kids facing the decline of an aging relative.

I was not expecting this to go the direction it did and so was caught off guard emotionally! The story is so sad and still so hopeful at the same time. Perhaps a perfect book for a child who has a grandparent with Alzheimer's.
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This is a beautiful book about Noah and his summer time at his grandparents house. Noah and his grandpa would start their day by singing while they do things together, go for walks or while grandma makes them breakfast. But one day grandpa doesn't know whats going on and he is not singing anymore and he doesn't recognize Noah. Grandma explains to Noah that grandpa forgets things sometimes but he still loves Noah. Noah sings to grandpa and that seems to help him remember.
Theme: This book shows l ...more
Theme: This book shows l ...more

Yes this.
Noah (who I at first thought was the dog; sorry, kid) loves to hang out with his grandparents, especially Grandpa who sings through everything. But then Grandpa starts to forget...This is a fabulous book to tell kids it's okay to be sad and confused about older folks not acting the way they used to. Levine's language isn't sing-songy or condescending in the least but is very accessible and plain so that a kid could get it without being infantilized. The illustrations are stellar in usin ...more
Noah (who I at first thought was the dog; sorry, kid) loves to hang out with his grandparents, especially Grandpa who sings through everything. But then Grandpa starts to forget...This is a fabulous book to tell kids it's okay to be sad and confused about older folks not acting the way they used to. Levine's language isn't sing-songy or condescending in the least but is very accessible and plain so that a kid could get it without being infantilized. The illustrations are stellar in usin ...more

This book cover drew me in and its story made me cry...for all the right reasons.
A little boy has a sweet relationship with his grandpa and they create so many memories. They have certain things they just do and inside jokes... ...then Grandpa starts forgetting things. Even who his grandson is and Grandpa sleeps more.
The boy is distraught but he starts doing things with his grandmother and she gives him the courage to still do all the same things with Grandpa even if he doesn't always remember ( ...more
A little boy has a sweet relationship with his grandpa and they create so many memories. They have certain things they just do and inside jokes... ...then Grandpa starts forgetting things. Even who his grandson is and Grandpa sleeps more.
The boy is distraught but he starts doing things with his grandmother and she gives him the courage to still do all the same things with Grandpa even if he doesn't always remember ( ...more

What a Beautiful Morning by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Katie Kath. PICTURE BOOK. Running Press Kids, 2016. $17. 9780762459063
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Noah and his Grandpa have always had so much fun singing and playing together. Lately, however, Grandpa seems to be getting forgetful. Only when Noah sings does he seem to remember all of the fun they have together. Noah is worried about this new side to Grandpa.
A nice selection to pair with The Reme ...more
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Noah and his Grandpa have always had so much fun singing and playing together. Lately, however, Grandpa seems to be getting forgetful. Only when Noah sings does he seem to remember all of the fun they have together. Noah is worried about this new side to Grandpa.
A nice selection to pair with The Reme ...more

The title doesn't indicate what this is really about. A young boy has a very close relationship with his grandfather, but over time he realizes that his grandfather is changing. He's not remembering things, doesn't have his usual spunk, gets confused, and starts to look at the boy like a stranger. Dementia and Alzheimer's would be difficult to explain to a child, and this book doesn't really try, it just illustrates a way that the boy found to connect with his grandfather (sometimes it works, so
...more

Every morning is beautiful when Noah visits his Grandparents. When Grandpa and Noah wake up, they take off singing and hardly stop: walking the dog, splashing through puddles, and eating French toast with cinnamon.
But one summer Grandpa seems to have forgotten how to do the things they love. Does he even know who Noah is?
Grandma steps in energetically, filling in as best she can. But it is Noah who finds the way back to something he can share with Grandpa. Something musical. Something that makes ...more
But one summer Grandpa seems to have forgotten how to do the things they love. Does he even know who Noah is?
Grandma steps in energetically, filling in as best she can. But it is Noah who finds the way back to something he can share with Grandpa. Something musical. Something that makes ...more

Such a tender book, dealing with the dementia of the grandfather of a boy named Noah--though the issue is never named. Such a carefree, fun, loving relationship between the two. Then Noah becomes confused,frightened, and angry when Grandpa starts forgetting the simplest things and even forgets occasionally who Noah is. (The illustrations capture the child's emotions so well here!) Grandma lovingly explains, "we have to appreciate what he still has, not focus on what he's lost." But Noah finds th
...more

This looks like a sweet, beautifully illustrated story about a boy and his Grandpa, right?
Right. It really is. But that twist! I wasn't expecting to cry with this one judging from the cover, but it handles the aging of a grandparent so well and sweetly and in a very age-appropriate manner. You may want to preview this one before reading it to your kids, but my four-year-old had no problem with it at all. ...more
Right. It really is. But that twist! I wasn't expecting to cry with this one judging from the cover, but it handles the aging of a grandparent so well and sweetly and in a very age-appropriate manner. You may want to preview this one before reading it to your kids, but my four-year-old had no problem with it at all. ...more

Ooof. This one will get you right in the heart. Noah loves spending time with his Grandpa, but one summer Grandpa isn't quite himself. He can't remember any of their routines or even how to cut his French toast. Grandma and Noah work together to fill in some of Grandpa's gaps, and eventually Noah discovers a way to bring Grandpa back to himself. This a lovely book that will really hit home for kids who need it.
...more

Extremely well done and sensitive handling of a grandson's response to his grandfather's dementia. Singing is one way he helps remind his grandfather of who he is and what he loves to do. I particularly enjoyed the color's used in the illustrations - when grandpa forgets, he fades to blacks and whites but when he remembers - bright colors!
...more

A beautiful story about Noah and his sweet, energetic grandfather, who would sing, walk, and cook with him. When grandpa starts becoming tired and forgetful (presumably alzheimer's), Noah is very upset. Luckily their favorite songs can temporarily bring Grampa back to Noah, but it is a lot of work.
Sweet, but not overly sugarcoated.
...more
Sweet, but not overly sugarcoated.
...more

This is a bit painful because my mother has Alzheimer's, but it's great this book exists, because there's a lot of grandchildren whose grandparents get memory problems, and this helps them to deal with it. I pity my parents' grandchildren, though, because my dad got cancer and died before he could help his grandchildren like this grandmother did, but I suppose their parents will do the job.
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Wow. This was especially moving because I have spent some time caring for a friend's father who has dementia. It is hard to wrap our minds around. There is a tremendous sense of loss, and then small sparks of normalcy. This book captured that beautifully.
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A beautiful story about a young boy learning how to still communicate and have fun with his grandfather who has alzheimer's. My favorite part of the book is the use of color to show emotion and thought.
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This story would be a gentle introduction to a child who has a grandparent or other adult figure in their life who has Alzheimer's or dementia. In this story, the boy learns that his grandfather starts to come out of a fog through song and shared memories.
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Sep 16, 2019
Juliana Ketarkus
added it


Weird complaint, but this book is almost too hopeful. It kind of makes it seem like if you sing, your loved one with dementia will always be able to find the thread. It's just not a great expectation to give kids.
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A gentle story that shows what it's like to see a grandparent live with Alzheimer's. Illustrations are in color and use gray to represent moments of memory loss.
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A beautiful book for gently teaching children about Alzheimer's disease. My grandmother lived with Alzheimer's, and this one definitely hit a personal note.
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A sensitive story about helping and loving a family member with dementia or Alzheimer's.
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Arthur A. Levine is the U.S. editor of the phenomenally successful Harry Potter series.
Levine grew up in Elmont, on the fringes of New York City. In 1984, Levine joined the staff of the publishing house G.P. Putnam's Sons. While at Putnam's, Levine edited several books, including Rafe Shannon's The Rough-Face Girl and two Caldecott award-winning titles: Officer Buckle and His Dog Gloria and Mi ...more
Levine grew up in Elmont, on the fringes of New York City. In 1984, Levine joined the staff of the publishing house G.P. Putnam's Sons. While at Putnam's, Levine edited several books, including Rafe Shannon's The Rough-Face Girl and two Caldecott award-winning titles: Officer Buckle and His Dog Gloria and Mi ...more
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