Miss Irwin is a luminous and heartwarming story about the importance
of capturing the light of precious memories before all is forgotten,
from Caldecott Medalist Allen Say.
As a young woman, Miss Irwin was a kindergarten teacher who loved
introducing the world of discovery to her students. As a grandmother,
she often reflects on her wonderful days exploring with her students.
When her grandson asks her about a mysterious box on the shelf, she gets
lost in memory and her mind transports her back in time to when she was
Miss Irwin. At first her grandson is confused, but remembers his
grandmother's forgetfulness and plays along as the student who made the
bird's nest inside the white box.
Allen Say's breathtaking artwork and emotionally powerful and thoughtful
text gently weave a touching story about memory and family. Together,
the grandmother and grandson rejoice in the meaning and beauty of memory
before all is lost.
Miss Irwin helps readers of all ages better understand and interact
with loved ones who are experiencing memory loss.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
The teachers I loved and admired are figures of light in my memory. Miss
Irwin is especially luminous. She was my daughter's kindergarten
teacher. The children's words and drawings and dancing made her blush
with excitement. And by trying to keep her blushing, the children
learned the astonishment of discovering.
I hope she will forgive me for casting her as a forgetful grandmother in
this story -- it's an attempt to capture her light before all is
forgotten. -- Allen Say
Alzheimer's changes the lives of everyone it touches. You are not
alone.
When a friend or family member has Alzheimer's disease, you may feel
upset, confused or scared. Some people with early-stage Alzheimer's may
forget words or not remember your name from time to time. But, when you
spend time with people with late-stage Alzheimer's, it is easy to see
that something serious is going on. People with Alzheimer's disease are
not acting like this because they don't care about you. Changes deep
inside their brains are destroying the centers that control remembering,
thinking, and feeling. Learning about Alzheimer's disease can help you
understand what to expect and how to connect with the person you care
about. -- Alzheimer's Association
