My Grandpa Had a Stroke
Ryan loves spending Saturdays fishing with his grandfather. But when Grandpa suffers a stroke, everything changes. Step-by-step, the book shows children in the same situation what they might expect. Ryan first sees Grandpa in the hospital, sleepy, disoriented, and unable to move the left side of his body. A stint in rehab helps, but after the therapists do all they can, Grandpa must move to Ryan's house. Throughout, Ryan wants to help, but there's no denying his fear and upset. The book, illustrated in soft-edged watercolors, ends on a hopeful note, as Ryan and his grandfather are able to go fishing once more, albeit with Grandpa in his wheelchair. With quiet prose, this covers most of the emotional and practical hurdles faced by both patient and child. There is even a moment when Grandpa calls a woman "Fatty," and Mom explains that stroke patients sometimes say inappropriate things. A three-page note for parents gives solid, helpful advice about talking with children about strokes. A sad but useful book. Cooper, Ilene