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The ACB with Honora Lee
Perry's mother and father are busy people. They're impatient, they're tired, they get cross easily. And they think that only children, like Perry, should be kept busy. On Saturday mornings Perry and her father visit her gran, Honora Lee, at the Santa Lucia rest home, but Gran never remembers them. ‘Who is that man?’ Honora Lee asks when Perry’s father leaves the room. After movement class is abruptly cancelled, Perry is allowed to go to Santa Lucia on Thursday afternoons. She discovers her Gran has an unconventional interest in the alphabet, so Perry decides to make an alphabet book with the help of Honora and the others. Soon everyone is interested in Perry's book project.
120 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2012
13 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Kate De Goldi
28 books72 followersKate De Goldi is a full-time writer who grew up in Christchurch and now lives in Wellington. Her first book was for adults: called like you, really, it was published under the name Kate Flannery, and gave a series of interlinked short stories about the women in a Catholic family. Since then she has won numerous awards and accolades for her fiction, including the American Express and Katherine Mansfield Awards for short stories, and the overall Children’s Book Award in 1997 for her young adult novel Sanctuary.
In 2000, her novel about adoption, Closed, Stranger won an Honour Award in the New Zealand Post Children and Young Adults' Book Awards, and in 2001, Kate was made an Arts Foundation Laureate. Her book Clubs, illustrated by Jacqui Colley, won the picture book category of the New Zealand Post Children’s and Young Adult Awards in 2005; that year it also won the overall book of the year, and it also gained the Russell Clark Award at the LIANZA Book Awards.
Kate’s most recent novel, The 10PM Question (2008), won Book of the Year and Best Young Adult fiction at the 2009 New Zealand Post Children and Young Adults' Book Awards. It was also runner-up in the Fiction category at the Montana NZ Book Awards 2009, at which it won the Readers' Choice Award. It was a finalist in the LIANZA Children's Book Awards for the Esther Glen Award, and was shortlisted for the Nielson BookData NZ Booksellers' Choice Award.
The 10PM Question has been selected to appear in the prestigious international publication The White Ravens 2009 and with sales of over 14,000 copies the book now wears a Silver Premier NZ Bestseller sticker and remains at No. 1 on the NZ Bestsellers List (week ending 22 August 2009). The rights have been sold to Allen & Unwin Publishers in Australia, and Dutch and German rights have also been sold. It is due to be published in North America later this year.
Kate is also very well known as an astute and energetic book reviewer for radio and television.
In 2000, her novel about adoption, Closed, Stranger won an Honour Award in the New Zealand Post Children and Young Adults' Book Awards, and in 2001, Kate was made an Arts Foundation Laureate. Her book Clubs, illustrated by Jacqui Colley, won the picture book category of the New Zealand Post Children’s and Young Adult Awards in 2005; that year it also won the overall book of the year, and it also gained the Russell Clark Award at the LIANZA Book Awards.
Kate’s most recent novel, The 10PM Question (2008), won Book of the Year and Best Young Adult fiction at the 2009 New Zealand Post Children and Young Adults' Book Awards. It was also runner-up in the Fiction category at the Montana NZ Book Awards 2009, at which it won the Readers' Choice Award. It was a finalist in the LIANZA Children's Book Awards for the Esther Glen Award, and was shortlisted for the Nielson BookData NZ Booksellers' Choice Award.
The 10PM Question has been selected to appear in the prestigious international publication The White Ravens 2009 and with sales of over 14,000 copies the book now wears a Silver Premier NZ Bestseller sticker and remains at No. 1 on the NZ Bestsellers List (week ending 22 August 2009). The rights have been sold to Allen & Unwin Publishers in Australia, and Dutch and German rights have also been sold. It is due to be published in North America later this year.
Kate is also very well known as an astute and energetic book reviewer for radio and television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
November 10, 2013
Delightful read. Simply. This is one of those books, like The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which delivers more of a message (and an emotiinal one!) to adults rather than to kids. The writing has a wonderful easy pace, and the illustrations are a perfect icing on this cake. For me, this book is a lovely haunting message - a reminder of my own Gran, and her unconventional ways. This fills my heart so much.
Love, love, love this book.
Love, love, love this book.
February 23, 2018
3,5
Ein kleines Buch mit einer süßen Geschichte, ulkigen Figuren und kreativer Sprache. Mir fehlte etwas Tiefe, dafür hätte es länger sein müssen. Die Illustrationen fand ich sehr cool :)
Ein kleines Buch mit einer süßen Geschichte, ulkigen Figuren und kreativer Sprache. Mir fehlte etwas Tiefe, dafür hätte es länger sein müssen. Die Illustrationen fand ich sehr cool :)
October 19, 2015
Dear Readers, meet my favourite book of 2014 so far. This non-assuming book that gives no indication that it contains such a magnificent story took me completely by surprise. In a good way. I expected something good, something funny and witty, something that would make me happy but nothing that would linger with me, nothing that would make me crow with delight and announce to all and sundry that this is what good books are about. This little novel transcends its genre limitations and, in my opinion, carves itself a place as a well-loved, long-loved story.
And the way it does this is deceptively simple.
Over at The Book Wars, we’ve been discussing picturebooks in earnest, particularly, the duality it offers to readers. By duality, I mean, it speaks to both adult reader and the child reader. The ACB of Honora Lee accomplishes this feat quite easily.
As an adult reading children’s literature, there are times when I read something in a book that the younger reader probably will not catch or understand. In Honora Lee, I believe that the main character is autistic though this is never said explicitly. There are little mannerisms, little hints of it in Perry’s interaction with the world and some things that Perry’s parents say that give it away. Speaking of Petty’s parents, they are typical overworked parents who have very little time for the daughter they love.
The titular Honora Lee is Perry’s grandmother who, to the bafflement of Perry’s parents, holds great appeal to the nine year old. Perry is determined to spend more than the allocated time with her grandmother and this chance comes along when Perry’s Thursday extracurricular program falls through. Honora Lee is quite old and possibly suffering from Alzheimers, I think, which has her forgetting Perry daily. She lives in a nursing home and that is where Perry finds herself on Thursday afternoons.
The patients in the nursing home, the caretakers of the patients, nurses etc., Perry’s grandmother and Perry herself are such amazing characters. Honora Lee is unlike any grandmother I have met in a fictional setting. I find it so admirable that Goldi is able to express the complexity of Honora’s character using just the interactions between Perry and Honora, and Honora and the other inmates of the nursing home.
The novel, though slight, deals with some really heavy stuff, death being one of them. There is also a really beautiful moment when Perry observes without any intent how her father and his mother, Honora, have a similar mannerism. This stops Perry’s father short and though the child reader probably will not read too much into that, I thought it was a poignant way to show him finding a part of his mother in himself. He doesn’t really understand Honora’s peculiarities and she doesn’t seem to pay him any mind.
Perry’s mission to create an alphabet or rather create a book of the ABC with the letters of people or things she knows, for example, H is for Honora. The whole project is beautifully executed and I only wish it was included with the book so we could see the finished copy of it.
The book itself is really beautifully made, the pages are quality and the illustrations pleasing. I recommend this novel heartily – whether for yourself or for the child in your life. Get it, read it and let it make you happy.
And the way it does this is deceptively simple.
Over at The Book Wars, we’ve been discussing picturebooks in earnest, particularly, the duality it offers to readers. By duality, I mean, it speaks to both adult reader and the child reader. The ACB of Honora Lee accomplishes this feat quite easily.
As an adult reading children’s literature, there are times when I read something in a book that the younger reader probably will not catch or understand. In Honora Lee, I believe that the main character is autistic though this is never said explicitly. There are little mannerisms, little hints of it in Perry’s interaction with the world and some things that Perry’s parents say that give it away. Speaking of Petty’s parents, they are typical overworked parents who have very little time for the daughter they love.
The titular Honora Lee is Perry’s grandmother who, to the bafflement of Perry’s parents, holds great appeal to the nine year old. Perry is determined to spend more than the allocated time with her grandmother and this chance comes along when Perry’s Thursday extracurricular program falls through. Honora Lee is quite old and possibly suffering from Alzheimers, I think, which has her forgetting Perry daily. She lives in a nursing home and that is where Perry finds herself on Thursday afternoons.
The patients in the nursing home, the caretakers of the patients, nurses etc., Perry’s grandmother and Perry herself are such amazing characters. Honora Lee is unlike any grandmother I have met in a fictional setting. I find it so admirable that Goldi is able to express the complexity of Honora’s character using just the interactions between Perry and Honora, and Honora and the other inmates of the nursing home.
The novel, though slight, deals with some really heavy stuff, death being one of them. There is also a really beautiful moment when Perry observes without any intent how her father and his mother, Honora, have a similar mannerism. This stops Perry’s father short and though the child reader probably will not read too much into that, I thought it was a poignant way to show him finding a part of his mother in himself. He doesn’t really understand Honora’s peculiarities and she doesn’t seem to pay him any mind.
Perry’s mission to create an alphabet or rather create a book of the ABC with the letters of people or things she knows, for example, H is for Honora. The whole project is beautifully executed and I only wish it was included with the book so we could see the finished copy of it.
The book itself is really beautifully made, the pages are quality and the illustrations pleasing. I recommend this novel heartily – whether for yourself or for the child in your life. Get it, read it and let it make you happy.
January 5, 2022
Das ist ein so so so tolles Buch! Ich habe es in einem Rutsch durchgelesen. Das Buch ist so wundervoll, besonders und auf jeden Fall etwas fürs Herz. Ich habe bisher nichts Vergleichbares gelesen! Herzensempfehlung.
January 21, 2014
I read this book in two settings, and it's lovely.
The narrative here is deceptively simple: a young girl, Perry, making weekly visits to Santa Lucia, a home where her grandmother Honora Lee lives. Her grandmother has some form of deteriorating memory (perhaps dementia, perhaps Alzheimer's, it's never really spelled out) and doesn't actually know this little girl, who does quite love her grandmother.
Writing an abecedarium with her grandmother and the other residents and workers and the various people who feature in Perry's life becomes a project for Perry, and this forms the greater framework around the narrative. And in this framework is a world of charm.
Honora's memories aren't in any sense of order, and soon the ABC book becomes an ACB book, and as Perry works the alphabet in a random fashion, finding words that matter to herself or her Gran, what forms is a story of love and the kind of solidarity that can sometimes form between the old and the young, both of whom see the world through a different lens.
It was lovely to step into this world for two evenings, and I daresay I'll go looking for more from Kate DeGoldi.
The narrative here is deceptively simple: a young girl, Perry, making weekly visits to Santa Lucia, a home where her grandmother Honora Lee lives. Her grandmother has some form of deteriorating memory (perhaps dementia, perhaps Alzheimer's, it's never really spelled out) and doesn't actually know this little girl, who does quite love her grandmother.
Writing an abecedarium with her grandmother and the other residents and workers and the various people who feature in Perry's life becomes a project for Perry, and this forms the greater framework around the narrative. And in this framework is a world of charm.
Honora's memories aren't in any sense of order, and soon the ABC book becomes an ACB book, and as Perry works the alphabet in a random fashion, finding words that matter to herself or her Gran, what forms is a story of love and the kind of solidarity that can sometimes form between the old and the young, both of whom see the world through a different lens.
It was lovely to step into this world for two evenings, and I daresay I'll go looking for more from Kate DeGoldi.
March 21, 2016
Kate De Goldi is an incredible artist. I am in awe of her seemingly flawless, natural power to speak so tenderly and beautifully about matters that matter; without shouting, without a dance or hoorah, just a simple, direct, amusing and raw way with words.
*I would say this book is great for age 9+, but best appreciated as a read-along for those under 14 or so.
*I think it speaks to adults even more than it does to young people.
*This is a book to talk about. I would have loved to teach it!
*It will take you 1-2 hours to read;
*...and the hardcover edition is so gorgeous to hold and flip through, you'll want to own it.
*I would say this book is great for age 9+, but best appreciated as a read-along for those under 14 or so.
*I think it speaks to adults even more than it does to young people.
*This is a book to talk about. I would have loved to teach it!
*It will take you 1-2 hours to read;
*...and the hardcover edition is so gorgeous to hold and flip through, you'll want to own it.
April 9, 2014
This book is perfection. I think it is a masterpiece. It is poignant without being maudlin. It doesn't avoid the heavy themes (e.g. death) but allows them to unfold naturally the way death should. It is funny, clever, fast moving and thought-provoking. I loved it. I want to give it to my mother and daughter (9 years) to read together but I fear it might be a little depressing for an aging person. My mom collects abecediaries and I thought they might be inspired to make one together; an awesome activity and a wonderful keepsake for my daughter to have forever.
August 18, 2014
This book is deep and HAS important messages. My main problem with it is that I don't think many kids will like it. It's eccentric and has no chapters. I see the VALUE in this book, BUT I don't think it is going to appeal to most children. As a publisher, I would have marketed it to adults. For these reasons, I gave it two stars.
January 11, 2018
"Die Anarchie der Buchstaben" erzählt die Geschichte der sehr aufgeweckten und kecken 9-jährigen Perry, die einen straff organisierten Wochenplan hat. Plötzlich bricht das Donnerstagsangebot weg und all die Anstrengungen der Mutter, vielleicht doch noch einen Schwimmkurs oder Ähnliches zu finden, bleiben unerfüllt. Aber da kommt Perry selbst schon die Passende Idee. Wie wäre es denn wenn sie die Donnerstag Nachmittage künftig bei ihrer Großmutter im Pflegeheim Santa Lucia verbringt ? Zunächst halten die Eltern das für keine gute Idee, denn Oma Honora Lee leidet an Demenz. Und doch geben sie nach und denken sich: Warum eigentlich nicht ?
Und so kommt es, das Perry ab sofort jeden Donnerstag im Santa Lucia verbringt.
Ihre Großmutter, das muss sie schnell lernen, ist eine etwas unwirsche Frau, die wirklich so ziemlich alles vergisst. Sie kann sich zum Beispiel nie daran erinnern wer Perry eigentlich ist und echauffiert sich auch darüber, das Perry doch eigentlich ein Jungenname ist. Perry tut das alles mit einem Schulterzucken ab und hat stattdessen eine großartige Idee, wie sie Oma eine Freude machen und ihr helfen könnte, damit sie nicht immer alles vergisst.
Und so beginnt sie, gemeinsam mit den Schwestern, Pflegern, Bewohnern des Santa Lucia ein ABC Buch zu schreiben. Aber nicht irgendeines. Sondern ein sehr eigenwilliges, in dem sich die Buchstaben nicht an die richtige Reihenfolge halten und die entsprechenden Worte alle einen Bezug zum Santa Lucia haben.
Dieses Büchlein ist mit seinen nur 160 Seiten wirklich sehr dünn, aber stark im Inneren. Ich hatte ehrlich gesagt überhaupt keine Erwartungen an die Geschichte und bin deshalb völlig unvoreingenommen eingestiegen und habe Perry erst einmal kennengelernt.
Und auch ihre Eltern. Die enge Bindung zum Vater war für mich recht schnell greifbar, die Beziehung zur Mutter fand ich allerdings höchst fragwürdig, denn hier hatte ich das Gefühl, das sie Perry gerne ein bisschen abschiebt, wahrscheinlich weil Perry kein einfaches Kind ist.
Ich weiß nicht warum, aber irgendwie hatte ich das Gefühl, das sie vielleicht eine leichte Form von Autismus oder das Asperger Syndrom haben könnte, was ich überwiegend an ihrer Art des Malens, an ihrem festen eingefahrenen Tagesablauf und auch an ihren teilweise doch recht speziellen Interessen festmache.
Vielleicht irre ich mich auch und sie ist einfach schlichtweg nur ein aufgewecktes und sehr neugieriges und wissbegieriges Kind. Im Endeffekt ist das auch egal, denn Perry ist superklasse, genau so wie sie ist. Sie geht mit offenem Herzen durch die Welt und wird für die Bewohner und das Pflegepersonal im Santa Lucia recht schnell ein fester Bestandteil.
Das Buch ist wirklich herzallerliebst und wunderbar geschrieben, hat aber auch eine deutliche Botschaft. Nämlich die, das wir weniger in Schubladen denken und uns gerade in Bezug darauf ein Beispiel an den Kindern nehmen sollten. Ich finde, der Unterschied wie wir als Erwachsene die Welt sehen und wie sie auf Kinder wirkt, wird von Kate de Goldi hier sehr gut dargestellt. Während Perrys Vater sich nämlich manchmal schon fast dazu zwingen muss, seine Mutter im Pflegeheim zu besuchen, geht Perry freiwillig und gerne dort hin. Während ihr Vater nicht weiß, wie er mit der Demenz seiner Mutter umgehen soll, nimmt Perry diese einfach so hin, auch wenn das bedeutet, das sie ihrer Oma jede Woche aufs neue erklärt, das sie trotz kurzer Haare und ihrem Jungennamen eben kein Junge und ihre Enkelin ist. Auf Erwachsene wirkt sowas sicher frustrierend und macht traurig, während Kinder solche Dinge einfach hinnehmen und einfach froh sind, über die Zeit, die sie mit diesem geliebten Menschen verbringen.
Für mich ist das Buch mal wieder ein Appell an mehr Gelassenheit, an weniger Vorurteilsdenken, daran Dinge einfach so hinzunehmen wie sie sind, was man im Alltag ja gerne mal vergisst.
Zudem ist es eine charmante Geschichte mit einer wirklich tollen Protagonistin die man schnell ins Herz schließt und somit ist auch "Die Anarchie der Buchstaben" mal wieder ein rundum gelungenes und absolut lesenswertes Königskind.
Und so kommt es, das Perry ab sofort jeden Donnerstag im Santa Lucia verbringt.
Ihre Großmutter, das muss sie schnell lernen, ist eine etwas unwirsche Frau, die wirklich so ziemlich alles vergisst. Sie kann sich zum Beispiel nie daran erinnern wer Perry eigentlich ist und echauffiert sich auch darüber, das Perry doch eigentlich ein Jungenname ist. Perry tut das alles mit einem Schulterzucken ab und hat stattdessen eine großartige Idee, wie sie Oma eine Freude machen und ihr helfen könnte, damit sie nicht immer alles vergisst.
Und so beginnt sie, gemeinsam mit den Schwestern, Pflegern, Bewohnern des Santa Lucia ein ABC Buch zu schreiben. Aber nicht irgendeines. Sondern ein sehr eigenwilliges, in dem sich die Buchstaben nicht an die richtige Reihenfolge halten und die entsprechenden Worte alle einen Bezug zum Santa Lucia haben.
Dieses Büchlein ist mit seinen nur 160 Seiten wirklich sehr dünn, aber stark im Inneren. Ich hatte ehrlich gesagt überhaupt keine Erwartungen an die Geschichte und bin deshalb völlig unvoreingenommen eingestiegen und habe Perry erst einmal kennengelernt.
Und auch ihre Eltern. Die enge Bindung zum Vater war für mich recht schnell greifbar, die Beziehung zur Mutter fand ich allerdings höchst fragwürdig, denn hier hatte ich das Gefühl, das sie Perry gerne ein bisschen abschiebt, wahrscheinlich weil Perry kein einfaches Kind ist.
Ich weiß nicht warum, aber irgendwie hatte ich das Gefühl, das sie vielleicht eine leichte Form von Autismus oder das Asperger Syndrom haben könnte, was ich überwiegend an ihrer Art des Malens, an ihrem festen eingefahrenen Tagesablauf und auch an ihren teilweise doch recht speziellen Interessen festmache.
Vielleicht irre ich mich auch und sie ist einfach schlichtweg nur ein aufgewecktes und sehr neugieriges und wissbegieriges Kind. Im Endeffekt ist das auch egal, denn Perry ist superklasse, genau so wie sie ist. Sie geht mit offenem Herzen durch die Welt und wird für die Bewohner und das Pflegepersonal im Santa Lucia recht schnell ein fester Bestandteil.
Das Buch ist wirklich herzallerliebst und wunderbar geschrieben, hat aber auch eine deutliche Botschaft. Nämlich die, das wir weniger in Schubladen denken und uns gerade in Bezug darauf ein Beispiel an den Kindern nehmen sollten. Ich finde, der Unterschied wie wir als Erwachsene die Welt sehen und wie sie auf Kinder wirkt, wird von Kate de Goldi hier sehr gut dargestellt. Während Perrys Vater sich nämlich manchmal schon fast dazu zwingen muss, seine Mutter im Pflegeheim zu besuchen, geht Perry freiwillig und gerne dort hin. Während ihr Vater nicht weiß, wie er mit der Demenz seiner Mutter umgehen soll, nimmt Perry diese einfach so hin, auch wenn das bedeutet, das sie ihrer Oma jede Woche aufs neue erklärt, das sie trotz kurzer Haare und ihrem Jungennamen eben kein Junge und ihre Enkelin ist. Auf Erwachsene wirkt sowas sicher frustrierend und macht traurig, während Kinder solche Dinge einfach hinnehmen und einfach froh sind, über die Zeit, die sie mit diesem geliebten Menschen verbringen.
Für mich ist das Buch mal wieder ein Appell an mehr Gelassenheit, an weniger Vorurteilsdenken, daran Dinge einfach so hinzunehmen wie sie sind, was man im Alltag ja gerne mal vergisst.
Zudem ist es eine charmante Geschichte mit einer wirklich tollen Protagonistin die man schnell ins Herz schließt und somit ist auch "Die Anarchie der Buchstaben" mal wieder ein rundum gelungenes und absolut lesenswertes Königskind.
April 1, 2013
Another delightful book by Kate de Goldi, with wonderful illustrations by Gregory O'Brien which add to the story and give the whole a feel of rich lavishness!
Aimed at the young adult market, those of us in the 'sandwich generation' can enjoy and appreciate the subject matter of this book.
Perry is a nine year old with busy work pre-occupied parents, and a gran in a retirement home who is losing her memory. Perry devises a wonderful scheme to occupy her and the occupants of Saint Lucia, she will write and draw an alphabet book. Not just any alphabet book, this one involves all the residents, and becomes a collaborative work of them all, with incidents and happenings from their little world. Her idea is to bring a little bit of 'orderliness' with her alphabet, but soon that becomes impossible as the residents have long since abandoned normal ways of looking at the world, and the ACB develops at its own pace and order.
This book highlights the relationship which the young and old seem to enjoy with each other, and is a gentle reminder to those of us in between to perhaps laugh more and worry less! I loved the descriptions of the care givers at Saint Lucia, who seemed to be able to laugh at the odd little ways and happenings of the residents at Saint Lucia.
Aimed at the young adult market, those of us in the 'sandwich generation' can enjoy and appreciate the subject matter of this book.
Perry is a nine year old with busy work pre-occupied parents, and a gran in a retirement home who is losing her memory. Perry devises a wonderful scheme to occupy her and the occupants of Saint Lucia, she will write and draw an alphabet book. Not just any alphabet book, this one involves all the residents, and becomes a collaborative work of them all, with incidents and happenings from their little world. Her idea is to bring a little bit of 'orderliness' with her alphabet, but soon that becomes impossible as the residents have long since abandoned normal ways of looking at the world, and the ACB develops at its own pace and order.
This book highlights the relationship which the young and old seem to enjoy with each other, and is a gentle reminder to those of us in between to perhaps laugh more and worry less! I loved the descriptions of the care givers at Saint Lucia, who seemed to be able to laugh at the odd little ways and happenings of the residents at Saint Lucia.
August 26, 2016
This book was a bit of a disappointment. I have really enjoyed others of De Goldi's books, but this one was just a bit short in some respects. The biggest complaint I have is that the parents, while included in parts of the story, were really unsympathetic and unsupportive. Their parts in the story did little to advance the narrative, other than to make Perry seem neglected. If their neglect were the focus of the story, that would be a point that needed to be made, but here, it just seemed to be an annoying distraction.
The best thing about the book is the depiction of the various people in the nursing home. My mother was in a nursing home for her last few years and De Goldi really got many of those people right. I like that her grandmother never does really "get" that Perry is her granddaughter and keeps looking for her brother and husband who are both long deceased.
The idea for this book is charming and parts of it are excellent. It just doesn't quite come together to make a fabulous story for me.
The best thing about the book is the depiction of the various people in the nursing home. My mother was in a nursing home for her last few years and De Goldi really got many of those people right. I like that her grandmother never does really "get" that Perry is her granddaughter and keeps looking for her brother and husband who are both long deceased.
The idea for this book is charming and parts of it are excellent. It just doesn't quite come together to make a fabulous story for me.
July 30, 2014
I absolutely LOVED this book. It is so sweet, and I enjoyed it because I have never read any book about old people's homes. It also made me think of how cool it would be to go to rest-homes, and talked to the people there. The relationship between Gran and Perry is quite cool, even if Gran keeps forgetting "Who the Devil is Perry." At the end, the reader doesn't know if Gran remembers Perry's name or not, which is interesting. Also, because of Perry's curiosity, and her asking many questions, this book extended my vocabulary!It is easy to read, and it is child-likely described. ( The descriptions are kind of like a nine year old's-Perry.) This book was simply legendary :)
July 11, 2017
The ACB with Honora Lee
By: Kate DeGoldi
Illustrated by: Gregory O'Brien
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Perry is the very busy daughter of two very busy parents. When a spot opens up in her schedule, she begs to be allowed to visit her grandmother, Honora Lee (in assisted living). Her parents are strangely hesitant about this suggestion but eventually agree. Honora is her dad's mom and they have a awkward, almost hostile relationship. We don't really see this change over the course of the book. The book focuses on the relationship between Perry and Honora.
The book never comes out and specifies that Honora has Alzheimer's but it is clear through her behavior that her mind is deteriorating. Also, most of the other residents at her facility seem to be in a similar state. My own mom has Alzheimer's so many of the resident's behaviors seem very familiar - the disconnect between what is mine and what is yours, the sometimes aggressive and childish response, saying everything that pops into her head, the slight discombobulation that comes from a disordered mind, forgetting things (of course). This is all very realistic and familiar and sad for me. However, the book mines these things for laughs. I often say that we have to look for the good in Alzheimer's (my mom lives exactly in the moment, there are no regrets, she absolutely does not remember any bad thing I ever did). Yippee, right? I respect that she is trying to find humor in Alzheimer's but as a current participant, it just is sad. These used to be fully functioning, well respected members of society and now they are funny? Not sure if this is a theme that seems appropriate for young people.
Also, what about the bees?!!! According to Perry (in this book) bees only live four weeks. I checked this out on-line and discovered that this "fact" is only partially true. There is a very broad range depending on type of bee and their specific job (queens, workers, drones). Some bees do indeed live only four weeks, some less and some much longer. This felt like an odd addition to the book. Perry picks up dead or dying bees and collects them. She even uses them to make pictures. I found that this created a rather sad overtone. At the end, all her bees are curled up like crispy, dried out babies. It was a disturbing image for my brain-eye. I kept waiting for the bees to coalesce into an important theme and it never really does. I suppose the idea is that all of our lives are "short" in comparison to the universe or whatever. The last scene is Perry and her friends releasing the small bee bodies into a river. She envisions them floating away through an idyllic landscape to the sea. Which I suppose is the author making us think of our own fates. Not really a book that I think most young people would enjoy.
However, what I did love was the interaction between Perry, her grandmother, and the other residents. Perry decides to create an abecedary (abc book) with the help of the residents. She makes real connections with everyone and approaches each of them with love and patience. Perry accepts them as they are without making demands on them. She never even seems fussed that Honora doesn't remember her from day-to-day. Perry is just content to be there. The letters of the book are not in order and most often represent Honora's disordered brain. This part of the book is lovely.
I also completely loved the illustrations. They often contain colored balls that look like brain neurons (in a textbook). There are arrows connecting the different thoughts. I really loved exploring each picture and divining it's meaning. There was one that I loved that showed musical notes as a mountain. That was a beautiful representation of what was happening in the story. There were some pictures with zentangles which always get my eye involved. But, again with the bees, there were several bees scattered throughout the book. A lot actually looked dead. Yeah, I'm flummoxed by the bees too.
Overall,
There are some lovely aspects to this book which are worth exploring.
By: Kate DeGoldi
Illustrated by: Gregory O'Brien
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Perry is the very busy daughter of two very busy parents. When a spot opens up in her schedule, she begs to be allowed to visit her grandmother, Honora Lee (in assisted living). Her parents are strangely hesitant about this suggestion but eventually agree. Honora is her dad's mom and they have a awkward, almost hostile relationship. We don't really see this change over the course of the book. The book focuses on the relationship between Perry and Honora.
The book never comes out and specifies that Honora has Alzheimer's but it is clear through her behavior that her mind is deteriorating. Also, most of the other residents at her facility seem to be in a similar state. My own mom has Alzheimer's so many of the resident's behaviors seem very familiar - the disconnect between what is mine and what is yours, the sometimes aggressive and childish response, saying everything that pops into her head, the slight discombobulation that comes from a disordered mind, forgetting things (of course). This is all very realistic and familiar and sad for me. However, the book mines these things for laughs. I often say that we have to look for the good in Alzheimer's (my mom lives exactly in the moment, there are no regrets, she absolutely does not remember any bad thing I ever did). Yippee, right? I respect that she is trying to find humor in Alzheimer's but as a current participant, it just is sad. These used to be fully functioning, well respected members of society and now they are funny? Not sure if this is a theme that seems appropriate for young people.
Also, what about the bees?!!! According to Perry (in this book) bees only live four weeks. I checked this out on-line and discovered that this "fact" is only partially true. There is a very broad range depending on type of bee and their specific job (queens, workers, drones). Some bees do indeed live only four weeks, some less and some much longer. This felt like an odd addition to the book. Perry picks up dead or dying bees and collects them. She even uses them to make pictures. I found that this created a rather sad overtone. At the end, all her bees are curled up like crispy, dried out babies. It was a disturbing image for my brain-eye. I kept waiting for the bees to coalesce into an important theme and it never really does. I suppose the idea is that all of our lives are "short" in comparison to the universe or whatever. The last scene is Perry and her friends releasing the small bee bodies into a river. She envisions them floating away through an idyllic landscape to the sea. Which I suppose is the author making us think of our own fates. Not really a book that I think most young people would enjoy.
However, what I did love was the interaction between Perry, her grandmother, and the other residents. Perry decides to create an abecedary (abc book) with the help of the residents. She makes real connections with everyone and approaches each of them with love and patience. Perry accepts them as they are without making demands on them. She never even seems fussed that Honora doesn't remember her from day-to-day. Perry is just content to be there. The letters of the book are not in order and most often represent Honora's disordered brain. This part of the book is lovely.
I also completely loved the illustrations. They often contain colored balls that look like brain neurons (in a textbook). There are arrows connecting the different thoughts. I really loved exploring each picture and divining it's meaning. There was one that I loved that showed musical notes as a mountain. That was a beautiful representation of what was happening in the story. There were some pictures with zentangles which always get my eye involved. But, again with the bees, there were several bees scattered throughout the book. A lot actually looked dead. Yeah, I'm flummoxed by the bees too.
Overall,
There are some lovely aspects to this book which are worth exploring.
March 26, 2018
Dieses kleine Buch mit seinen 160 Seiten hat es wirklich in sich. Mich hat der Titel angesprochen und hatte daher keine großen Erwartungen an diese Geschichte. Man lernt dabei die 9-jährige Perry und ihre Eltern kennen. Dabei merkt man schnell das Perry kein einfaches Kind und gerade von ihrer Mutter gern ein wenig abgeschoben wird. Der Vater dagegen ist wirklich toll, er kümmert sich und hat auch ne recht enge Bindung zur ihr.
Zur Geschichte, Perry hat einen sehr straffen und organisierten Wochenplan der sich sehen lassen kann. Als dann eines Tages das Donnerstagsangebot weg fällt und keine Alternative gefunden wird kommt sie auf die glorreiche Idee die Donnerstage bei ihrer Großmutter im Pflegeheim zu verbringen. Ihre Eltern sind davon zu Anfang gar nicht begeistert, da die Oma an Demenz erkrankt ist. Dennoch wagen sie einen Versuch und lassen Perry ab sofort Donnerstags die Zeit bei ihrer Oma verbringen. Perry merkt schnell das ihre Oma ziemlich vergesslich ist und nicht weiß wer Perry ist. Zudem kommt noch das sie Perry eher für einen Jungennamen hält. Dies stört Perrry aber weniger dennoch kommt sie auf die Idee das Alphabet in einem Buch etwas anders zu sortieren damit ihre Oma einen besseren Bezug auf alles hat und nicht ständig vergisst.
Diese Geschichte ist wirklich süß gestaltet, nicht nur die Geschichte sondern auch die vielen kleinen Illustrationen die im Buch enthalten sind. Aber auch die freche, neugierige und aufgeweckte Art von Perry mochte ich unheimlich gerne. Sie trägt das Herz am recht Fleck ist wirklich noch so offenherzig gegenüber der Welt. Dies sehe ich ja selbst an meinem kleinen Sohn. Wir haben es mit dem entsprechenden Alter verloren und denken eher Schubladen mäßig, alles was uns nicht passt oder gefällt wird gleich darin einsortiert. Statt es wie die Kinder zu machen tun wir das, da sollten wir uns doch teilweise ein Beispiel an den Kindern nehmen. Was schadet es jemanden ein kleines Lächeln zu schenken oder freundlich zu sein? Diesen Unterschied wie wir und die Kinder die Welt wahrnehmen, wurde hier doch recht gut getroffen und regt zum Nachdenken an.
Den Schreibstil fand ich auch sehr schön, er war locker und flüssig deswegen hatte ich dieses Schätzchen innerhalb kürzester Zeit durch. Gerade das Thema Demenz ist immer wieder ein Thema in Familien, jeder geht damit anders um. Ich selbst habe es bei der Oma von meinem Mann erlebt. Man weiß nicht wie man damit umgehen kann und ist eher weniger gern da.So geht es auch Perrys Vater, ich konnte ihn ganz gut verstehen dennoch ist die Zeit die wir hier auf der Erde weilen ziemlich kurz und die zeit mit den eigenen Eltern noch kürzer. Kinder gehen damit wie auch Perry lockerer um, sie nehmen es so hin wie es ist. Sie erklären die kleinen Dinge die man vergisst gern immer wieder aufs Neue auch wenn es für einen selbst eher frustrierend oder traurig ist. Sie sehen die Dinge anders und verbringen gern die Zeit mit ihren Großeltern auch wenn sie nicht ganz verstehen warum sie so vergesslich oder krank sind.
"Anarchie der Buchstaben" ist eine wunderbare Geschichte die einem zum Nachdenken anregt. Es ist ein Aufruf für mehr Offenheit, weniger Schubladendenken und mehr die Sachen hinzunehmen wie sie sind. Die Dinge zeitweise mehr mit Kinderaugen zu sehen auch wenn wir es verloren haben. Dies bringt uns die aufgeweckten Perry näher. Für mich ist eine großartige Geschichte die ich euch nur empfehlen kann!
Zur Geschichte, Perry hat einen sehr straffen und organisierten Wochenplan der sich sehen lassen kann. Als dann eines Tages das Donnerstagsangebot weg fällt und keine Alternative gefunden wird kommt sie auf die glorreiche Idee die Donnerstage bei ihrer Großmutter im Pflegeheim zu verbringen. Ihre Eltern sind davon zu Anfang gar nicht begeistert, da die Oma an Demenz erkrankt ist. Dennoch wagen sie einen Versuch und lassen Perry ab sofort Donnerstags die Zeit bei ihrer Oma verbringen. Perry merkt schnell das ihre Oma ziemlich vergesslich ist und nicht weiß wer Perry ist. Zudem kommt noch das sie Perry eher für einen Jungennamen hält. Dies stört Perrry aber weniger dennoch kommt sie auf die Idee das Alphabet in einem Buch etwas anders zu sortieren damit ihre Oma einen besseren Bezug auf alles hat und nicht ständig vergisst.
Diese Geschichte ist wirklich süß gestaltet, nicht nur die Geschichte sondern auch die vielen kleinen Illustrationen die im Buch enthalten sind. Aber auch die freche, neugierige und aufgeweckte Art von Perry mochte ich unheimlich gerne. Sie trägt das Herz am recht Fleck ist wirklich noch so offenherzig gegenüber der Welt. Dies sehe ich ja selbst an meinem kleinen Sohn. Wir haben es mit dem entsprechenden Alter verloren und denken eher Schubladen mäßig, alles was uns nicht passt oder gefällt wird gleich darin einsortiert. Statt es wie die Kinder zu machen tun wir das, da sollten wir uns doch teilweise ein Beispiel an den Kindern nehmen. Was schadet es jemanden ein kleines Lächeln zu schenken oder freundlich zu sein? Diesen Unterschied wie wir und die Kinder die Welt wahrnehmen, wurde hier doch recht gut getroffen und regt zum Nachdenken an.
Den Schreibstil fand ich auch sehr schön, er war locker und flüssig deswegen hatte ich dieses Schätzchen innerhalb kürzester Zeit durch. Gerade das Thema Demenz ist immer wieder ein Thema in Familien, jeder geht damit anders um. Ich selbst habe es bei der Oma von meinem Mann erlebt. Man weiß nicht wie man damit umgehen kann und ist eher weniger gern da.So geht es auch Perrys Vater, ich konnte ihn ganz gut verstehen dennoch ist die Zeit die wir hier auf der Erde weilen ziemlich kurz und die zeit mit den eigenen Eltern noch kürzer. Kinder gehen damit wie auch Perry lockerer um, sie nehmen es so hin wie es ist. Sie erklären die kleinen Dinge die man vergisst gern immer wieder aufs Neue auch wenn es für einen selbst eher frustrierend oder traurig ist. Sie sehen die Dinge anders und verbringen gern die Zeit mit ihren Großeltern auch wenn sie nicht ganz verstehen warum sie so vergesslich oder krank sind.
"Anarchie der Buchstaben" ist eine wunderbare Geschichte die einem zum Nachdenken anregt. Es ist ein Aufruf für mehr Offenheit, weniger Schubladendenken und mehr die Sachen hinzunehmen wie sie sind. Die Dinge zeitweise mehr mit Kinderaugen zu sehen auch wenn wir es verloren haben. Dies bringt uns die aufgeweckten Perry näher. Für mich ist eine großartige Geschichte die ich euch nur empfehlen kann!
August 28, 2017
Die Anarchie der Buchstaben ist ein wirklich außergewöhnliches Buch, bei dem es mir schwer fällt meine Gedanken in Worte zu fassen. Man weiß, dass die junge Protagonistin Perry ihre Oma regelmäßig im Heim besucht, aber ansonsten steigt man ohne Erklärung in die Geschichte ein. Und obwohl ein paar der wichtigsten Informationen genannt werden, ist der Großteil von ihnen zwischen den Zeilen versteckt. Warum Honora Lee im Heim lebt, ist wahrscheinlich klar. Aber es gibt viele unausgesprochene Dinge, zum Beispiel was Perry so 'anders'? macht. Gerade weil ich kein Experte in den Gebieten bin die hier auftauchen, konnte ich einiges nicht komplett verstehen.
Trotzdem hat es mir sehr gut gefallen. Das Buch erlebt man aus der Perspektive von Perry, die schon als so junges Mädchen einfach eine einzigartige und großartige Persönlichkeit hat. Sie ist liebenswert, intelligent und weiß genau, was sie will. Wie sie mit den Senioren im Heim umgeht ist wundervoll ehrlich, und auch ihre kleinen Eigenarten lernt man schnell kennen. Perry ist ein toller Charakter, und ich kann mir niemanden vorstellen der sie nicht ins Herz schließen würde.
Ihre kindliche Sichtweise auf ein ernstes Thema hat hier perfekt gepasst und regt noch einmal auf ganz andere Weise zum Nachdenken an. Man hört, wie Perry selbst, nur bestimmte Dinge die die Erwachsenen um sie herum sagen - allein schon, weil sie sich meistens dafür nicht sonderlich interessiert. Für uns reichen diese Ausschnitte aber aus, um eigene Schlüsse zu ziehen. Gleichzeitig beweist Perry aber auch, dass Kinder eben doch mehr mitbekommen, als man ihnen zutraut.
Nach dem Lesen habe ich das Buch an meine Oma verliehen um ihre Meinung zu hören, da ich noch ein wenig unschlüssig war und sie jahrelang in einem Altersheim gearbeitet hat. Und tatsächlich hat es sie noch mehr bewegt als mich. Sie fand die Geschichte von Perry und Honora Lee unglaublich berührend und hatte an einigen Stellen sogar Gänsehaut. Ich fand es sehr interessant, dass sie es noch einmal ganz anders wahrgenommen und viele Lücken anders interpretiert hat als ich. Darin liegt vielleicht auch die Stärke dieses Buches. Es fordert den Leser gerade durch den Mangel an offensichtlichen Informationen heraus, selbst aktiv zu werden und dabei die eigenen Einstellungen und Ansichten in Frage zu stellen.
Im Buch sind außerdem viele kleinere Illustrationen verteilt die sehr künstlerisch sind, aber meistens direkten Bezug zum Text haben. So wird die Geschichte noch anschaulicher, und ich habe auch ein paar Theorien wofür sie symbolisch stehen könnten. Mir gefällt auch die handliche Größe des Buches, das Cover und generell die Gestaltung sehr - eben ein echtes Königskind!
Mit der Anarchie der Buchstaben bekommt man einen kurzen Blick hinter die Tür des Lebens von Honora Lee und ihrer Enkelin Perry, die beide irgendwie anders aber eben trotzdem ganz normal sind. Obwohl man mit vielen Fragen zurückbleibt, behält man ihre Geschichte noch lange in Erinnerung. Und auch, wenn hier einige ernste Aspekte verarbeitet werden, hat man beim Lesen doch ein Lächeln im Gesicht - denn die kleine Perry ist einfach ein richtiger Sonnenschein.
Trotzdem hat es mir sehr gut gefallen. Das Buch erlebt man aus der Perspektive von Perry, die schon als so junges Mädchen einfach eine einzigartige und großartige Persönlichkeit hat. Sie ist liebenswert, intelligent und weiß genau, was sie will. Wie sie mit den Senioren im Heim umgeht ist wundervoll ehrlich, und auch ihre kleinen Eigenarten lernt man schnell kennen. Perry ist ein toller Charakter, und ich kann mir niemanden vorstellen der sie nicht ins Herz schließen würde.
Ihre kindliche Sichtweise auf ein ernstes Thema hat hier perfekt gepasst und regt noch einmal auf ganz andere Weise zum Nachdenken an. Man hört, wie Perry selbst, nur bestimmte Dinge die die Erwachsenen um sie herum sagen - allein schon, weil sie sich meistens dafür nicht sonderlich interessiert. Für uns reichen diese Ausschnitte aber aus, um eigene Schlüsse zu ziehen. Gleichzeitig beweist Perry aber auch, dass Kinder eben doch mehr mitbekommen, als man ihnen zutraut.
Nach dem Lesen habe ich das Buch an meine Oma verliehen um ihre Meinung zu hören, da ich noch ein wenig unschlüssig war und sie jahrelang in einem Altersheim gearbeitet hat. Und tatsächlich hat es sie noch mehr bewegt als mich. Sie fand die Geschichte von Perry und Honora Lee unglaublich berührend und hatte an einigen Stellen sogar Gänsehaut. Ich fand es sehr interessant, dass sie es noch einmal ganz anders wahrgenommen und viele Lücken anders interpretiert hat als ich. Darin liegt vielleicht auch die Stärke dieses Buches. Es fordert den Leser gerade durch den Mangel an offensichtlichen Informationen heraus, selbst aktiv zu werden und dabei die eigenen Einstellungen und Ansichten in Frage zu stellen.
Im Buch sind außerdem viele kleinere Illustrationen verteilt die sehr künstlerisch sind, aber meistens direkten Bezug zum Text haben. So wird die Geschichte noch anschaulicher, und ich habe auch ein paar Theorien wofür sie symbolisch stehen könnten. Mir gefällt auch die handliche Größe des Buches, das Cover und generell die Gestaltung sehr - eben ein echtes Königskind!
Mit der Anarchie der Buchstaben bekommt man einen kurzen Blick hinter die Tür des Lebens von Honora Lee und ihrer Enkelin Perry, die beide irgendwie anders aber eben trotzdem ganz normal sind. Obwohl man mit vielen Fragen zurückbleibt, behält man ihre Geschichte noch lange in Erinnerung. Und auch, wenn hier einige ernste Aspekte verarbeitet werden, hat man beim Lesen doch ein Lächeln im Gesicht - denn die kleine Perry ist einfach ein richtiger Sonnenschein.
July 3, 2017
Perry's parents are busy and they think Perry should be kept busy, too. Everyday has a scheduled activity...but when Thursday's activity gets cancelled, it throws everyone for a loop. Perry suggests that she visit her Gram, Honora Lee, on Thursdays instead of only Sunday with her father. Parents are hestitant at first, since they really have no interest in visiting Gram even on their scheduled day. Gram has dementia and doesn't remember her son or her granddaughter.
Finally they give the go-ahead for Thursday afternoon visits and Perry finds a way to connect with her Gram. Combining her Gram's love of the alphabet with an upcoming term project that is due at school, they create an alphabet book about Gram's senior living home. Perry hopes it will trigger memories of their time together.
The ACB with Honora Lee is a sweet, simple story of a connection made between a lonely granddaughter and a dementia-ridden grandmother. Could have been a great story, but some parts are very confusing. The obsession with dead bees goes nowhere, as does the disconnect between father and grandmother. Characters are not developed well and the plot goes off on tangents at times.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Kate De Goldi, and Tundra Books for this ARC.
Finally they give the go-ahead for Thursday afternoon visits and Perry finds a way to connect with her Gram. Combining her Gram's love of the alphabet with an upcoming term project that is due at school, they create an alphabet book about Gram's senior living home. Perry hopes it will trigger memories of their time together.
The ACB with Honora Lee is a sweet, simple story of a connection made between a lonely granddaughter and a dementia-ridden grandmother. Could have been a great story, but some parts are very confusing. The obsession with dead bees goes nowhere, as does the disconnect between father and grandmother. Characters are not developed well and the plot goes off on tangents at times.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Kate De Goldi, and Tundra Books for this ARC.
April 25, 2020
Hmm. This one is tough! I feel like the content and narrative style is more suited to an adult audience as they're more likely to be familiar with nursing homes and the personalities that come with them. The story is difficult to place, too; at first I was convinced this was a "child with different way of looking at the world/possible neurodivergence, with highly-professional and busy, out-of-touch parents, finds their place in the world surrounded by people who understand them" kind of story, which it is. But it's also a slice-of-life, take things as they come, without in-depth explanation story. It simply is.
Perry's parents are insufferable and distracted most of the time, her father is clearly struggling with the reality of his mother's decline, the nursing home is full of transient people, all with their own fractured identities... but Perry finds her place among them, who she grows to know and care for, and they also look forward to her visits. The ACB brings them together.
Like others have pointed out, I'm not sure who this is for, but it has found an audience with some glowing reviews, and that's lovely.
Perry's parents are insufferable and distracted most of the time, her father is clearly struggling with the reality of his mother's decline, the nursing home is full of transient people, all with their own fractured identities... but Perry finds her place among them, who she grows to know and care for, and they also look forward to her visits. The ACB brings them together.
Like others have pointed out, I'm not sure who this is for, but it has found an audience with some glowing reviews, and that's lovely.
April 23, 2013
The ACB with Honora Lee
A while ago now, I was driving home when I noticed an elderly man leaning against a sign post, not too far from my house. He looked a little confused, and so I went to see what was going on. It turned out that he had gone for a walk, he wasn't quite sure when and he wasn't quite sure where to. He knew his wife would be missing him, but for the life of him he couldn't remember his address. I took him in, gave him a cup of tea and searched the phone book. There was no phone number listed under his name so I ended up having to ring the police. They found that he had gone missing from a local rest home. His wife had died the year before. The police asked if I would mind having him there until someone from the rest home came to pick him up. We had a delightful conversation, especially when he saw my husband's collection of very old matchbox cars. He told me about how he used to race motorbikes on the same beach as Burt Munro, of the World's Fastest Indian, in Invercargill. He told me about how as kids, they would go and watch him but he was a 'grumpy old buggar' so they never really got to talk to him. Eventually, someone from the rest home arrived. The gentleman graciously thanked me for his 'cuppa', and left as though he was about to step into a limousine, until the care worker started to growl at him for escaping - telling him what a naughty boy he was, and he wasn't to do it again. I could have cried, as what had been a beautiful smile turned into confusion, concern and then sadness. Heart breaking. My son asked why she bothered growling...it seemed obvious to us that he wasn't going to remember. Why couldn't he have just had a lovely afternoon out? My son later asked if I thought he really had been on the beach with Burt Monro? Who knows...
The ACB with Honora Lee is a beautifully told tale of Perry, a somewhat unconventional 9 year old girl, with an 'eccentric sense of rhythm' according to her Music and Movement tutor. She attends the Ernle Clark School because, 'her parents said that was the best place for someone like her.'
What was someone like her like? Perry often wondered. But she said, 'Why? Why? Why? Why is it the best school?'
'Because,' said her mother. 'Be...Cos...' She was driving the car, she couldn't think at the same time. She had to wait for the lights to turn red. 'Because it asks a lot of you.'
Actually, at school, it was Perry who asked a lot, though some of the teachers wished she would not. The Special Assistance teacher, Mrs Sonne, said it would be much better for everyone if Perry tried to listen.
Perry's mother also believes that children should be kept busy, so there are daily after school activities, except for Friday's with Nina and Claude - Nina is her nanny and Claude is Nina's two year old son, 'Claude followed Perry all around the house. he liked everything Perry did but he especially enjoyed her making violent hunting noises on the clarinet or playing Black Magic on the piano. Black Magic was Perry's best piece. She had composed it herself.' On Saturdays, Perry and her father visit Honora Lee, 'So far, all Perry knew about Gran was her name - Honora Lee - and her age - seventy six years old - and that she didn't have a husband or much memory any more, which is why she lived at Santa Lucia and could never get Perry's father's name right.'
Only, suddenly Perry's Thursday after school activity becomes unavailable when the tutor puts her back out and needs time to think about her options. Despite Perry's mother's best intentions, no other Thursday afternoon activities are available. Perry suggests she should visit Honora Lee. And so she does, with lovely baking from Nina each week (What is it with baking and the NZ Post Children's Book Awards this year?? She even took Ginger Crunch - my favourite. I'm beginning to wonder if there is an ironic wink being given to the Edmonds Cookbook being the only NZ book on the Whitcoulls Top 50 list...hmmm...)
On her walk to Santa Lucia each week she notices dead and dying bumble bees. They are a mystery, and she begins to collect them. Gran doesn't ever recognise Perry, of course. But Perry never lets that get her down. She looks for the bits in Gran that make sense, and meets her halfway.
'Gran stopped whistling for a moment and squinted at Perry.
"What is your name?"
"Perry," said Perry, Very Patiently. "P is for Perry. And don't say it's a boy's name."
Gran began whistling again. It wasn't really a tune. It was more like a breathy birdcall.
"You have a most eccentric sense of melody," said Perry.
That was when Gran had laughed, a sudden rat-a-tat, like gunshots on the tv.'
Gran used to be a teacher, and she loves teaching and organising. So Perry begins to make an ABC book, using the people and ideas from Santa Lucia.
out of order
On the way home Perry told Nina and Claude about the first day of ABC.
'It's not really ABC,' she said. 'It's ADV, so far. Gran does it out of order.'
The book is broken into sections, using headings that can seem quite random, but always make beautiful sense by the end of the section. Also, scattered throughout are Gregory O'Brien's gorgeous illustrations that are quirky enough to seem just exactly right, with letters and words roaming the page seemingly at will, and dead and dying bumble bees randomly littering the pages.
The ACB is a quick read, but it could stand many readings. I'm not sure whether it is a children's book, though. Although I am sure that there are children who would love the gently paced story of Perry collecting her ACB. However, this is a story about identity and relationships. I think it is a book I would give to adults.
Read this article from The New Zealand Herald, where Kate De Goldi talks about her inspiration for The ACB with Honora Lee.
A while ago now, I was driving home when I noticed an elderly man leaning against a sign post, not too far from my house. He looked a little confused, and so I went to see what was going on. It turned out that he had gone for a walk, he wasn't quite sure when and he wasn't quite sure where to. He knew his wife would be missing him, but for the life of him he couldn't remember his address. I took him in, gave him a cup of tea and searched the phone book. There was no phone number listed under his name so I ended up having to ring the police. They found that he had gone missing from a local rest home. His wife had died the year before. The police asked if I would mind having him there until someone from the rest home came to pick him up. We had a delightful conversation, especially when he saw my husband's collection of very old matchbox cars. He told me about how he used to race motorbikes on the same beach as Burt Munro, of the World's Fastest Indian, in Invercargill. He told me about how as kids, they would go and watch him but he was a 'grumpy old buggar' so they never really got to talk to him. Eventually, someone from the rest home arrived. The gentleman graciously thanked me for his 'cuppa', and left as though he was about to step into a limousine, until the care worker started to growl at him for escaping - telling him what a naughty boy he was, and he wasn't to do it again. I could have cried, as what had been a beautiful smile turned into confusion, concern and then sadness. Heart breaking. My son asked why she bothered growling...it seemed obvious to us that he wasn't going to remember. Why couldn't he have just had a lovely afternoon out? My son later asked if I thought he really had been on the beach with Burt Monro? Who knows...
The ACB with Honora Lee is a beautifully told tale of Perry, a somewhat unconventional 9 year old girl, with an 'eccentric sense of rhythm' according to her Music and Movement tutor. She attends the Ernle Clark School because, 'her parents said that was the best place for someone like her.'
What was someone like her like? Perry often wondered. But she said, 'Why? Why? Why? Why is it the best school?'
'Because,' said her mother. 'Be...Cos...' She was driving the car, she couldn't think at the same time. She had to wait for the lights to turn red. 'Because it asks a lot of you.'
Actually, at school, it was Perry who asked a lot, though some of the teachers wished she would not. The Special Assistance teacher, Mrs Sonne, said it would be much better for everyone if Perry tried to listen.
Perry's mother also believes that children should be kept busy, so there are daily after school activities, except for Friday's with Nina and Claude - Nina is her nanny and Claude is Nina's two year old son, 'Claude followed Perry all around the house. he liked everything Perry did but he especially enjoyed her making violent hunting noises on the clarinet or playing Black Magic on the piano. Black Magic was Perry's best piece. She had composed it herself.' On Saturdays, Perry and her father visit Honora Lee, 'So far, all Perry knew about Gran was her name - Honora Lee - and her age - seventy six years old - and that she didn't have a husband or much memory any more, which is why she lived at Santa Lucia and could never get Perry's father's name right.'
Only, suddenly Perry's Thursday after school activity becomes unavailable when the tutor puts her back out and needs time to think about her options. Despite Perry's mother's best intentions, no other Thursday afternoon activities are available. Perry suggests she should visit Honora Lee. And so she does, with lovely baking from Nina each week (What is it with baking and the NZ Post Children's Book Awards this year?? She even took Ginger Crunch - my favourite. I'm beginning to wonder if there is an ironic wink being given to the Edmonds Cookbook being the only NZ book on the Whitcoulls Top 50 list...hmmm...)
On her walk to Santa Lucia each week she notices dead and dying bumble bees. They are a mystery, and she begins to collect them. Gran doesn't ever recognise Perry, of course. But Perry never lets that get her down. She looks for the bits in Gran that make sense, and meets her halfway.
'Gran stopped whistling for a moment and squinted at Perry.
"What is your name?"
"Perry," said Perry, Very Patiently. "P is for Perry. And don't say it's a boy's name."
Gran began whistling again. It wasn't really a tune. It was more like a breathy birdcall.
"You have a most eccentric sense of melody," said Perry.
That was when Gran had laughed, a sudden rat-a-tat, like gunshots on the tv.'
Gran used to be a teacher, and she loves teaching and organising. So Perry begins to make an ABC book, using the people and ideas from Santa Lucia.
out of order
On the way home Perry told Nina and Claude about the first day of ABC.
'It's not really ABC,' she said. 'It's ADV, so far. Gran does it out of order.'
The book is broken into sections, using headings that can seem quite random, but always make beautiful sense by the end of the section. Also, scattered throughout are Gregory O'Brien's gorgeous illustrations that are quirky enough to seem just exactly right, with letters and words roaming the page seemingly at will, and dead and dying bumble bees randomly littering the pages.
The ACB is a quick read, but it could stand many readings. I'm not sure whether it is a children's book, though. Although I am sure that there are children who would love the gently paced story of Perry collecting her ACB. However, this is a story about identity and relationships. I think it is a book I would give to adults.
Read this article from The New Zealand Herald, where Kate De Goldi talks about her inspiration for The ACB with Honora Lee.
October 6, 2017
I read this one to my kids. We all enjoyed it, although I’m not sure that my kids really got some of it, although they did laugh at parts. This was written by an author from New Zealand (I figured the book didn’t take place in the U.S., but googled where the author was from).
Perry is 8-9 yrs old, an only child to busy parents who enroll her in all sorts of after school programs. She is different and so fun. She talk her parents into spending Thursday afternoons with her gran who lives in a nursing home. Gran is losing her memory and doesn’t usually know who Perry is. I loved the conversations and the I Spy games. I loved the other characters in the book—other residents of the home. I loved the tenderness and love and patience that Perry has for her grandma. I loved this book...except for the ending! True to many foreign films, it just ended abruptly and making me wish that it was tidied up better.
This is a juvenile fiction book, so I would give it a g rating.
Perry is 8-9 yrs old, an only child to busy parents who enroll her in all sorts of after school programs. She is different and so fun. She talk her parents into spending Thursday afternoons with her gran who lives in a nursing home. Gran is losing her memory and doesn’t usually know who Perry is. I loved the conversations and the I Spy games. I loved the other characters in the book—other residents of the home. I loved the tenderness and love and patience that Perry has for her grandma. I loved this book...except for the ending! True to many foreign films, it just ended abruptly and making me wish that it was tidied up better.
This is a juvenile fiction book, so I would give it a g rating.
August 29, 2023
What an absolutely lovely book! I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting; I don't feel like this book was it, but it so far exceeded any expectations that they've been driven from mind. I love that Perry reads like a neurodivergent child, but could just be a young child who is a bit precocious or whose single-child-ness drives her to some unusual ways of staving off boredom. Her interactions with and understandings of the people who live in the care facility with her grandmother are really insightful and exactly the kinds of insights you would expect an observant child to make. I have already recommended this book to several other people and will probably do so again soon!
December 10, 2020
"Die Anarchie der Buchstaben" handelt von einem jungen Mädchen, deren Oma in einem Heim für Demenzkranke ist. Obwohl sie sich nie an ihre Enkelin erinnern kann, besucht Perry ihre Oma super gerne und entwickelt zusammen mit den Bewohner*innen des Heims ein ABC als Schulprojekt. Das Buch ist total süß geschrieben und auch aufgemacht. Empfindliche Themen wie der Tod werden auf eine nachvollziehbare und einfühsame Art behandelt, sodass ich dieses Buch als kleines Schätzchen unter den Kinderbüchern ansehe.
July 29, 2023
I started browsing through this when I saw in in the library at the school where I work and had to get it out. I don't often read children's fiction now that my kids, are adults but might do more often.
This was delightful and laugh out loud funny. Close to my heart as I visit my mother in her dementia home and Honora is my mother all over (or was, until she bacane confined to a lazyboy chair).
Thankyou Kate De Goldi for showing these visits in an entirely new light.....through
the eyes of a nine year old girl.
Such a gorgeous story.
This was delightful and laugh out loud funny. Close to my heart as I visit my mother in her dementia home and Honora is my mother all over (or was, until she bacane confined to a lazyboy chair).
Thankyou Kate De Goldi for showing these visits in an entirely new light.....through
the eyes of a nine year old girl.
Such a gorgeous story.
April 21, 2025
I picked this up and put it down several times, not because I didn’t love it, just because I felt it was ‘that sort of book’. It’s absolutely charming, or course, and beautiful - both in the way it’s written and the layout/illustrations. A lovely tale of families, and an exploration of minds that don’t quite work as others expect them to. Very subtle and underplayed, such as Dad’s sadness with his elderly mother’s distance, and the ideas about time and lifespans and what really matters. I still don’t know what Y is for though … and that is a bit frustrating!
July 9, 2017
The ACB with Honora Lee is a quiet book about family, aging, love, and connections. A young girl named Perry visits her grandmother, Honora Lee, who lives in an assisted living facility. Perry makes an alphabet book based on her visits with Honora and the other residents. Her experiences and insights are unique, curious, and sometimes humorous. The illustrations by Gregory O'Brien are fantastic with muted colors and imagination. A work of art!
April 26, 2025
When I was in my twenties, my grandmother on my mother’s side lived in an old folks home in town. I would go to visit on my own. Often I would find her at a table in the community room with others playing cards. But since all of them had memory issues, they never could remember who’s turn it was or what game they would be playing. I would often leave the home and drive home smiling thinking of the craziness of the visits. This book brought that all back. It was a wonderful trip back for me.
March 14, 2021
This book was adorable.
I immediately grew attached to Perry, and wanted the best for her.
The only negative to this book was I found it hard to follow. This is probably a personal problem, but I was left a tiny bit confused throughout the book.
Yet, nevertheless, I appreciated it's simplicity, and I loved analyzing Perry's personality and watching her relationship with Honora grow.
I immediately grew attached to Perry, and wanted the best for her.
The only negative to this book was I found it hard to follow. This is probably a personal problem, but I was left a tiny bit confused throughout the book.
Yet, nevertheless, I appreciated it's simplicity, and I loved analyzing Perry's personality and watching her relationship with Honora grow.
January 4, 2018
A charming story about an unconventional granddaughter and how she develops a relationship with her grandmother who lives in a retirement home. Gentle humour. Well observed. Moving. Suitable for older primary school aged children through to adults.
May 6, 2018
Charming, but I thought it could have been taken much further. It also felt like it was trying to be 'American' in some way that I can't quite explain. A little gem with the potential to be a big gem!
November 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this - can't understand why all the copies in the library were in the children's part-should be in the adult section as well!
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