Remind Me
by Linda Shute (Author)
This poignant story about a young elephant and his grandma is an eloquent account of the all too familiar tragedy of memory loss, and the love of family that never leaves.
Eldon the elephant's beloved Big Ella has always had a knack for memory, so when she starts to forget little things, Eldon happily returns the favor. But when she starts to forget where she lives, Eldon's name, and even her own name, he starts to worry. Yet Eldon always remembers the love he shares with Big Ella, and he makes sure to remind her whenever she needs him to.
It can be especially hard for children to process the grief of watching their grandparents forget themselves when suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia. Linda Shute's Remind Me approaches the issue with humanity and compassion, celebrating the lasting love that brings families together. Her art has a soft, gentle tone and depicts an idyllic jungle setting inhabited by a charming elephant duo.
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Publishers Weekly
In an affecting picture book about an elder's dwindling memory, Little Eldon the elephant loves to have Big Ella recall parts of his young childhood: "Remind me what kind of baby I was," he says, gesturing to a picture of an infant hanging on her wall. "Cutest ever!" Big Ella tells him promptly. Working in wispy watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil images, Shute (Rabbit Wishes) gives the clothes-sporting pachyderms gentle expressions that make their close bond clear. "Remind me what kind of cake you baked for my first birthday," Little Eldon says. "Your favorite--banana cream," comes the response. When Big Ella asks Eldon to remind her where she put her hat one day, Eldon laughs--the big flowery chapeau is right on her head--but Big Ella does not. Soon, Big Ella needs reminding about ordinary tasks ("Remind me to go to bed when it gets dark," she asks), a change that Little Eldon takes in stride ("Remind me to kiss you goodnight," he responds). And when things grow more difficult, the youth finds a way to offer reminder-based care. Eliding logistical concerns around a caretaker's progressive memory loss, it's a portrait of loving reciprocity that provides Big Ella with that which she once offered Little Eldon. Ages 4-8. (July)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV002080 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Elephants
Picture books
Elephants
Memory
Animal fiction
