Loop the Loop

by Barbara Dugan, James Stevenson (Illustrator)

"I'm Methuselah, and I'm nine hundred and sixty-nine years old. Who are you?" Anne shrugged. "Nobody." " Nobody !" Mrs. Simpson shouted. "That's good!" Mrs. Simpson is like no one else Anne has ever met. She travels in a wheelchair and performs fabulous yo-yo tricks. Anne thinks Mrs. Simpson is magnificent ! And so will you!

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

First published April 14, 1992

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story of a little girl who befriends an old woman with a yo-yo.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork for this book is wonderful, and the concept for the story is ambitious. I just felt like the focus for this book was a bit off. My father suffers from Alzheimer's; he doesn't know who I am, much less that he has a grandson. Sometimes my father is fine with my son; other times I have to run heavy interference. There is an unpredictability about Alzheimer's that is frightening, especially to children. This book means well, but it falls far short of being relatable for kids who are around Alzheimer's patients.


Actual rating: 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because of the artwork.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking, hilarious portrait of old-age dimensia. When Anne meets the spunky Ms. Simpson ("I'm magnificent and I know it!") one day in the park, they hit it off instantly. Their relationship is endearing and Ms. Simpson truly is magnificent.

Alzheimer's and its counterparts aren't easy for adults to handle or to explain, and this book is a great way of either starting the conversation--or just lending joy to human relationships that ultimately begin, and end, with love.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was about a girl who became friends with an older woman who forgets who she is after she falls. This heartwarming story describes their unique relationship, despite hurdles they must overcome.

[Katie Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about an elderly woman, Mrs. Simpson, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, and the impact a young girl, Anna, has on her life.
I would use this book in my classroom to talk about ways to uplift and encourage others around us through acts of kindness.

[RachelAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really beautiful tale of intergenerational friendship between a little girl and an irrascible (if forgetful) old woman. I'm in love with this book.

[Family McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely story, especially for the boys with an old great-grandmother...

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story about a little girl who befriends an old woman.