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Summary
Summary
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.
Author Notes
Linda Shute is an author and illustrator of 14 picture books, including Rabbit Wishes and Clever Tom and the Leprechaun- An Old Irish Story . Since 2010 she has acted as Illustrator Coordinator for SCBWI Florida, and she has taught children's book illustration (adjunct) at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL. She lives south of Sarasota, Florida.
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
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)
Kirkus Review
A young elephant copes with his grandmother's progressive memory loss. Eldon loves asking his grandmother Big Ella to remind him of stories from his past. When Big Ella starts asking Eldon for reminders, at first he thinks it's funny (she asks where her hat is while already wearing it). Eldon doesn't understand what's going on; he reacts by asking her for even more stories. For a time, the mutual reminders work well in maintaining the normalcy in their relationship. But that changes when Big Ella can't remember their way home or recognize her house. Worse, finally Big Ella has to ask Eldon to remind her of his name and then asks him who she is. He replies: "You are my very own Big Ella! I've loved you and you've loved me forever! I will always remember that and always remind you!" The spare, efficient text allows the artwork to do the heavy emotional lifting. The choice to make the protagonists anthropomorphized elephants is an inspired one, given the animals' reputed memories, and makes Big Ella's loss even more poignant. Eldon and Big Ella are highly expressive--their trunks, ears, and facial folds are exquisitely and precisely drawn to show mood--and softened by the beautiful watercolor shading. The sad subject matter is balanced by the loving details and the humor in Eldon's remembered moments. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Simple without being oversimplified and reassuring, countering fears with love. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
