Grandfather's Story Cloth - Hardcover

Linda A. Gerdner; Sarah Langford

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1885008341 ISBN 13: 9781885008343

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, 2008

Synopsis

Chersheng's grandfather is beginning to forget things: little things like turning off the water faucet and big things like Chersheng's name. Sometimes he even forgets that he is in America now. Chersheng feels sad and helpless when he learns that Grandfather has Alzheimer's Disease, but then Chersheng's mother presents him with a story cloth stitched by Grandfather himself, embroidered in the Hmong tradition. Through the story cloth, Grandfather's memories of his life in Laos come alive. And inspired by Grandfather's tales about his life before the war forced him to immigrate to America, Chersheng comes up with a plan to capture his family's new life with his own art project. This way, they can all remember that their love is stronger than Alzheimer s Disease, no matter in which country they live. Linda Gerdner's heartwarming story addresses the increasing number of children who live with elderly grandparents with dementia. This volume, presented bilingually in English and Hmong, allows children and their loved ones not only to gain a compassionate understanding of Alzheimer's Disease, but also to share in the simplest act of pleasure and love -- that of reading together.

About this title

About the Author

Linda Gerdner - Author was born in Iowa and is a registered nurse. She is dedicated to helping persons with Alzheimer s disease and the family members who are care for them. Although Grandfather s Story Cloth is her first children s book she has published extensively in professional journals and received international and national awards for these contributions. Gerdner has traveled to northern Laos where she visited three Hmong villages in the rural province of Xieng Khouang. The bonds and friendships established with members of the Hmong American community have enriched her life and expanded her world. Sarah Langford - Author is currently a student at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She is especially interested in the health care needs of immigrants and refugees living in United States. She has a long-standing interest in children's literature and has enjoyed the opportunity to combine her talent in this area with her nursing focus.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—A Hmong boy learns about his grandfather's life in Laos and his escape to the United States as they share memories illustrated on the elderly man's story cloth. Grandfather has Alzheimer's disease and is beginning to forget common things. Chersheng's fear and exasperation are evident, as are the family's great respect and consideration for their aging relative. The English and Hmong texts face paintings that express the many moods of the characters. Endpapers and the back cover feature numerous geometric patterns that are common in Hmong handicrafts. A full spread shows the story cloth for easy reference and closer examination for details. Background information on Alzheimer's disease and the Hmong refugees and their story cloths will be appreciated by adults preparing to read the story or older children seeking information on both of these topics. A strong family story about difficult social issues relevant to today's society.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1885008341
• ISBN 13: 9781885008343
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Stuart Loughridge