How Does It Feel to be Old?

by Norma Farber, Trina Schart Hyman (Illustrator), Emilie McLeod (Editor)

Old age explains to youth some of the thoughts and feelings, advantages and disadvantages that accompany being old.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry

29 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might have the best Trina Schart Hyman illustrations ever. Just amazing.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful and poignant, though not something a child would understand, but more of a picture book for adults. Beautiful art by TSH once-again—which really draws out the depth in the author’s poetry.
Made me think of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” This is because I just saw that play performed at the truly spectacular Logos Theatre in Greenville. Life…and what it is. And so…another day begins…

[Tiuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very deep.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book hits a little to close to home.
trina schart hyman draws the grandmother as rarely happy, though i think she is.

[Bernardo Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being old is very scary, and can be for many people and I can't imagine for some students who have this fear. I personally believe that this is a great book for students who should have an introduction to being old because, being old is part of the process of life and should not be something that should be feared.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my eyes, TSH can never go wrong. But the strange meandering poetic verse here just wasn't it. It felt almost chastising at times and missed several golden opportunities for metaphors and poignancy.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun pictures.

[Susan Reyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artistry, only didn't like the ending.

[Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for this book very much. It was a much longer read than i expected for a picture book. Also the story was sadder than I had expected it to be. This story is a poetic dialogue of a woman talking to what seems to be a younger girl. The older woman goes through the book talking about all the things she can do now that shes an adult. However, in parentheses, she also talks about the things shes misses from when she was a child. It's really sad to see these inner most feelings mixed into her happy independence. The book is done in a poetic style that started dragging on after awhile, which made the book seem longer than it actually is. I did like the illustrations used for the book though. They are pretty realistic pictures but they still have a sketched quality to them. This might be a good book to use for grandparents day at school or something.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids say the darndest things, and one question they may ask is," How does it feel to be old?" This intriguing story explains all of the answers to just that. The story has a pleasant rhyming scene that keeps the reader engaged from line to line. Each page is littered with alliteration with illustrations of black and white. The illustrations have an Old English newspaper type of style, that have many objects to engage a young viewer until the very end. I would recommend this book to young readers with moderate reading levels. Some of the words can seem complex to very young readers and the use of alliteration may be overwhelming, but still pleasant to the ear.

[Ashley Thorpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout this book all the pictures had no color at all. There is no need for this book because it is an old lady telling her granddaughter how it feels to be old. The pictures are bleed onto both pages. I find it very amusing because I can imagine a lady reading this to me. As well, some of the word jump out of the way they are places, makes the book fun. The details are full of emotion in this book.Even though the pages are all black and white,it makes you think about what colors it would be, making your imagination run wild.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know exactly what I was expecting out of this book, but this sure wasn't it. The book portrays the mixed emotions of an older woman answering her granddaughter's question, "How does it feel to be old?" I appreciate that the author is honest about the ups and downs of aging, but it's not the most encouraging read ever. Hmm...

[Jessica Bukowinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations, and a thought-provoking storyline explore the inevitable process of aging in a youth-friendly format.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book; wonderful illustrations.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black and white illustrations to accompany poem narrative about being old.