THE FORGETTERY

A British import about memories.

Young Amelia has a forgetful grandmother. The colorful, detailed title-page illustration shows Post-it notes everywhere reminding Granny to “water the plants” and to take her key. Out exploring in the forest one day, Amelia and Granny come across The Forgettery—a magical place inside a giant tree where “you can find anything you have ever forgotten.” Greeted by the Memory Keeper, Amelia tells him that they’ve forgotten the way home. He invites them to climb aboard a hot air balloon, and the two are delivered to Granny’s Forgettery, a space filled with memories (it is very large, Granny being very forgetful). There, Granny sifts through fond memories. Afterward, they head to Amelia’s Forgettery (much smaller) until a delivery of a clock reminds them that it’s time to go home. The Memory Keeper hands them a map to The Way Home, and off they go. Prompted by a letter the Memory Keeper gave her, Amelia creates a scrapbook, writing down Granny’s memories from the Forgettery along with names and photos. This is a quiet story of intergenerational connection told with compassion. The graceful, impressionistic illustrations make effective use of color and whimsical details; Granny’s beloved memories—images of a younger Granny set against smudgy reds and oranges—are an especially nice touch. Amelia and Granny are light-skinned, while the Memory Keeper is dark-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A tender reminder that memories may fade but love lasts forever.