Great-Uncle Alfred Forgets

by Ben Shecter

A young girl takes her great-uncle, who is afflicted with Alzheimer's disease, for a walk and gently and patiently answers all his seemingly absurd questions

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1996

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A great uncle talks to his niece as they decorate a Christmas tree and then go for a walk. Great uncle is confused with names and what is happening now but can remember his youth and talks to his niece about his childhood memories.

The illustrations are lovely, beautiful bright glowing colours, this is not Shecter's usual style, I think he has used oil pastels here.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a very compassionate picture book about a little girl's relationship with her great uncle Alfred who is doing through a stage of dementia. He thinks it's Christmas in the middle of summer; he can't remember his great niece's name being Emily, and calls her his mother's name, Alice; but he remembers when he was a boy and life back then. The girl is patient with Alfred and caring, and it was just an all around touching book dealing with a very heartbreaking subject. My rating - 5/5