Edmund Lim “Where’s Grandma?

Book review by: ULYSSES B. OLIMPO

Everything comes in balance. All things have both ends, the positive

and negative, the strengths and weaknesses, so as with printed reading

materials including books.

“Where’s Grandma” is an illustrated pocket book written by Edmund

Lim. The book contains 7 chapters with 46 pages. It has its dedication at

the beginning and a short post script at the end. Every chapter comes with

an illustrated page which conveys the title of the chapter. The front cover

bears the title, the name of the author as well the name of the illustrator. It

also has an illustration literally depicting the book’s title.

Edmund Lim, the author of the book is a school principal who has

also taught at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. He writes for

both children and adults and hopes that his children’s storybooks will

engage and inspire readers, young and old. His love for his grandparents

and family, along with his desire to educate children inspired him to write

the book, Where’s Grandma?

The book conveys a story about Alzheimer’s disease, thus, enable

the readers to weigh and value elderly especially grandparents who are

subject to suffering the disease due to old age.

The author established strong connection of his own personal

experiences to the that of the character in his book. The book served as his

avenue for expressing his own ideas, emotions and experiences toward

similar courses of event which occurred in the story and in his real life. The

book, “Where’s Grandma?” is a great literary piece which embodies values

and lessons on what is truly happening in the context of real life with

regards to people’s old aging and treatment they receive from their loved

ones and other people.

Looking into the entire story, the development of the plot is good as

well as the sequence of events. The division of the story in chapters is a big

help for the readers to prepare on the next sequence of events. The length

of each chapter is also alright as it is not too brief nor too lengthy. It served

well its purpose to link the next event clearly and comprehensively. The

illustration which appeared before the beginning of each chapter is truly

helpful for readers to have a clear image on what is being contained in the

entire chapter. The shift of story’s mood and tone swift smoothly and has

the power to create connection to the readers. It develops empathy among

its readers as it is genuine in eliciting emotions.

With regards to technical and grammatical concern, the diction and

choice of words are intelligent. The words appear simple yet are easy to

understand, thus, minimizing confusion among its readers.

The characterization is great. It is indeed influential to a son or a

daughter and grandchildren. The description of the setting seemed very

appropriate to the story itself. The events in the story are based in real life,

thus, creating connection and meaning to the readers.

The theme of the story which centered on love of elders despite their

old age disease is indeed a great issue in the current world. It opens the

readers’ eyes to give more value and honor the old people whom are

dearly loved and been a good person no matter how old age ruined their

memories.
 The reality of having hard time coping with losing a grandmother due

to Alzheimer’s disease really touched reader’s heart and leaves a lesson to

see good in it.

“Where’s Grandma?” is a good book which embodies completeness

as to the ideal elements of a good story and book. It has theme that

resonated to most readers, which is the boy’s relationship with his

grandmother.

The book makes readers feel that losing a grandparent to dementia is

pretty common that many usually experience as kids. Thus, this illustrated

book succeed in making it good despite it hurts to witness how these

elderlies gradually lose their memories.

Suffice to say, the book should be recommended to be read by

children and adults. This beautifully illustrated picture book will give ideas

and lessons on how one should deal a grandmother suffering from

Alzheimer’s. This book must have to be in every school because it will help

children deal with the same issues in their families.

Finally, I would like to salute to the author, Edmund Lim for creating a

literary piece so rich in values no matter what culture you have, what place

you came and what you believe in. Love and relationship with elders

particularly our grandparents had been a universal concern to all people

around the world. The book reminds the readers that no matter how a

person’s memory loose, the love of a family remains, which would help a

person cope through similar dementia.