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Dr. Ruth Talks About Grandparents.
Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer with Pierre A. Lehu. Illustrated by Tracey Campbell Pearson. Subject Heading:
Grades 3 - 6 / Ages 8 - 11.
*** /4
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excerpt:
One of the wonderful aspects of the grandparent/grandchild relationship is that both have so much to gain from it. You, as a grandchild, receive a ton of love and endless emotional support. You develop a more positive outlook toward older people, realizing that they are not all alike. And you learn not to fear old age as much as you might if you were never around older people. Your grandparents experience the joy of holding a newborn baby again, followed by all the other delights of being around children, without having to bear the full responsibility for their care. Grandchildren give them something to look forward to, as well as the knowledge that they will leave behind something of real significance.
Dr. Ruth begins by explaining how all grandparents are different from each other and that the various nationalities have a certain name they attach to a grandparent. She then describes how the role of a grandparent has changed down through the years. Grandchildren are also told what they could do to become more active parts of their grandparents' lives, whether they live close to them or far away. Even the role of grandchildren has changed from "children are seen but not heard" to being able to teach their grandparents things they have learned, such as how to use a VCR, computer, etc. Dr. Ruth suggests different places a child who doesn't have any grandparents can go to adopt a grandparent.
Dr. Ruth Talks About Grandparents would be an excellent resource book for a teacher conducting a grandparent theme. Even though the book is written in a language that an 8-12 year old would understand, I doubt that most children would pick it up on their own without some teacher or parent guidance. A parent, teacher, or better yet, grandparent could share this book with a child and let her/him share personal experiences. The child could then follow on Dr. Ruth's suggestions and report results to an adult, group, sibling or friend.
Dr. Ruth's words of wisdom are joyfully complemented by Tracey Campbell Pearson's lively drawings.
Recommended.
Noreen Paterson is a librarian at the Crystal City Elementary School, Crystal City, Manitoba.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © 1998 the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - APRIL 10, 1998.
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The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364