Never Forget Eleanor

by Jason June, Loren Long (Illustrator)

Overview

This poignant story from New York Times bestselling author Jason June and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long reminds us of the life-changing power of words and the ways we remember the ones we love who've been affected by Alzheimer's or dementia. Perfect for fans of Drawn Together and The Rough Patch. 

Elijah loves spending time with his grandma Eleanor. She knows all the best words to answer tricky crossword puzzles and to tell the most beautiful stories to her family and friends.

Everyone calls her “Never Forget Eleanor” because she remembers every word she reads and person she meets. Lately though, Elijah has started to notice Grandma Eleanor forgetting little things.

So when Grandma Eleanor doesn’t show up for her Saturday story session, Elijah will need to find a way to use her favorite words and become the storyteller himself to bring her home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063039629
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/14/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	630,644
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jason June (it's a two-name first name, like Mary-Kate without the hyphen or the Olsen twin) is a bestselling author of young adult contemporary rom-coms that celebrate queer love and lust and chaotically gay shenanigans. His works include Jay’s Gay Agenda, Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball, and the instant New York Times bestseller Out of the Blue. When not writing, JJ zips about Dallas, Texas, with his husband and their Pomeranian, Pom Brokaw. JJ is a tried and true Laura Dern stan, and he is actively looking for an Andalite friend. Find out more about JJ and his books at heyjasonjune.com.

 

Loren Long is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling picture book Love by Matt de la Pena, as well as the author-illustrator of Otis, Otis and the Tornado, Otis and the Puppy, An Otis Christmas, and Otis and the Scarecrow. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of President Barack Obama’s picture book Of Thee I Sing and the reillustrated edition of The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. He lives in Ohio. To learn more, please visit www.lorenlong.com.

Editorial Reviews

11/21/2022

Elijah, a young anthropomorphized elephant, adores his Grandma Eleanor. She’s a crossword whiz and a magical storyteller whose words circle around Elijah “in a warm hug” as he listens raptly. And her memory is prodigious: “Everyone in town called her ‘Never Forget Eleanor’ because there was no word, tale, or friend she couldn’t remember.” But Grandma Eleanor begins losing her beloved words and her memory, and then one day goes missing. Elijah is “a jumble of worry” until he realizes she’s taught him how to help her: he creates and installs a story walk with words and images from her favorite tale, and Grandma follows them home. Calm, measured text from June (the Mermicorn Island series) offers compassion and holds space for the protagonist’s grief, while velvety textured gouache and colored pencil vignettes by Long (Someone Builds the Dream) depict a small, animal-populated town where doe-eyed Eleanor is valued and supported by everyone from her family to the local rhino chef and tiger barber. There’s a quiet sincerity at work throughout, and readers should find that it encircles them as well. Creators’ notes discuss Alzheimer’s. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"This day-to-day celebration of a loving relationship brings both characters vividly to life. Long's tender gouache-and-colored pencil illustrations carry the story. . . the expressive features are endearing. From Elijah shyly peeking out from behind a newspaper to Grandma's heart-rending puzzled reactions, the images evoke honest emotions. . . A tender tribute to the heart." — Kirkus Reviews

"Calm, measured text from June (the Mermicorn Island series) offers compassion and holds space for the protagonist's grief, while velvety textured gouache and colored pencil vignettes by Long (Someone Builds the Dream) depict a small, animal-populated town where doe-eyed Eleanor is valued and supported by everyone from her family to the local rhino chef and tiger barber. There's a quiet sincerity at work throughout, and readers should find that it encircles them as well." — Publishers Weekly

This sweet and sensitive story will hold particular resonance for children and families with elderly relatives in their lives.
— School Library Journal

The author notes that memory loss can affect people in different ways but that reminders such as these are helpful to some. The gouache-and-colored-pencil illustrations are gently serious, not too lighthearted but appropriate to the audience by not being too sad or scary, either. Eventually Grandma Eleanor passes away, though Elijah carries on her tradition by telling her special stories himself. — Booklist

From the Publisher

01/01/2023

K-Gr 2—Young elephant Elijah loves to spend time with Grandma Eleanor, especially when the two of them share a crossword puzzle. She always seems to know all the answers, and she patiently teaches him the pronunciations and meanings of unfamiliar words. She also serves as a beloved storyteller for friends and neighbors on Saturdays in her yard. The entire community is deeply saddened when Grandma Eleanor's famed memory begins to fade (a partially glimpsed newspaper story contains a subtle reference to Alzheimer's disease). At first she has difficulty recalling a word here and there, but then she begins forgetting the cherished weekly story sessions. One day, she leaves her house and cannot find her way back. Fortunately, Elijah devises a clever system of signs painted with familiar words and images to serve as trail markers to guide her home. From then on, these signs remain in place as a helpful reminder on her walks through the town. When Grandma Eleanor finally dies, Elijah keeps her memory alive by telling the stories and sharing her treasured words with all who will listen. The author's empathetic writing style is well-suited to the tender story of family and loss. Long eschews backgrounds, opting instead for vignettes on expanses of white, which gives the art a curiously unfinished feel. However, the characters themselves, rendered in richly textured gouache and colored pencil, display a touching emotional depth. VERDICT This sweet and sensitive story will hold particular resonance for children and families with elderly relatives in their lives.—Jonah Dragan

School Library Journal

2022-11-16
An elephant never forgets—until she does.

Elijah, a young elephant, loves his grandma Eleanor. She makes everything fun, especially crossword puzzles and stories. Grandma remembers everything—faces, fancy words, and more. Elijah enjoys being introduced to everyone as he and Grandma walk around town together. He is always making new friends because of her wonderful memory. Then that all begins to change. For the first time, Eleanor starts to lose words, then stories, and then herself as she becomes lost one day. Elijah is worried until he comes up with an idea to keep his grandma from wandering. He posts memory pictures all over the neighborhood so that Grandma can always find her way. June’s portrayal of Eleanor and Elijah gently and fondly reveals the passage of time until Eleanor’s death and the inevitable “goodbye.” The sadness of Eleanor’s Alzheimer’s is secondary to the thoughtful interactions that sustain a grieving community. This day-to-day celebration of a loving relationship brings both characters vividly to life. Long’s tender gouache-and–colored pencil illustrations carry the story without ever becoming overly sentimental. The expressive features are endearing. From Elijah shyly peeking out from behind a newspaper to Grandma’s heart-rending puzzled reactions, the images evoke honest emotions. An author’s note briefly explains Alzheimer’s and its effects on families and friends. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A tender tribute to the heart. (artist’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews