Never Forget Eleanor
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
This poignant story from New York Times bestselling author Jason June and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long reminds us of the life-changing power of words and the ways we remember the ones we love who've been affected by Alzheimer's or dementia. Perfect for fans of Drawn Together and The Rough Patch.
Elijah loves spending time with his grandma Eleanor. She knows all the best words to answer tricky crossword puzzles and to tell the most beautiful stories to her family and friends.
Everyone calls her “Never Forget Eleanor” because she remembers every word she reads and person she meets. Lately though, Elijah has started to notice Grandma Eleanor forgetting little things.
So when Grandma Eleanor doesn’t show up for her Saturday story session, Elijah will need to find a way to use her favorite words and become the storyteller himself to bring her home.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Elijah, a young anthropomorphized elephant, adores his Grandma Eleanor. She's a crossword whiz and a magical storyteller whose words circle around Elijah "in a warm hug" as he listens raptly. And her memory is prodigious: "Everyone in town called her ‘Never Forget Eleanor' because there was no word, tale, or friend she couldn't remember." But Grandma Eleanor begins losing her beloved words and her memory, and then one day goes missing. Elijah is "a jumble of worry" until he realizes she's taught him how to help her: he creates and installs a story walk with words and images from her favorite tale, and Grandma follows them home. Calm, measured text from June (the Mermicorn Island series) offers compassion and holds space for the protagonist's grief, while velvety textured gouache and colored pencil vignettes by Long (Someone Builds the Dream) depict a small, animal-populated town where doe-eyed Eleanor is valued and supported by everyone from her family to the local rhino chef and tiger barber. There's a quiet sincerity at work throughout, and readers should find that it encircles them as well. Creators' notes discuss Alzheimer's. Ages 4–8. Author's agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.
