Pandemic
ABOUT GREG:
Greg is the co-author of 5 books & workbooks (and a lifelong admirer of grandparents). For his civic efforts, he has received honors such as the Jefferson Award for Public Service & has been featured by media like Senior News & Good Morning America. For more on Greg & his own Grandma, click here.
Greg is the co-author of 5 books & workbooks (and a lifelong admirer of grandparents). For his civic efforts, he has received honors such as the Jefferson Award for Public Service & has been featured by media like Senior News & Good Morning America. For more on Greg & his own Grandma, click here.
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BEFORE THE PANDEMIC: Greg normally travels to different places to speak at companies, events, conferences, retirement communities, schools & camps. |
DURING THE PANDEMIC:
During the pandemic, Greg has participated (from home) in a two part activity involving his books with communities for older adults, organizations that serve seniors in their homes, and organizations that engage seniors as volunteers. Scroll down for some background on the books, followed by details of the two part activity.
During the pandemic, Greg has participated (from home) in a two part activity involving his books with communities for older adults, organizations that serve seniors in their homes, and organizations that engage seniors as volunteers. Scroll down for some background on the books, followed by details of the two part activity.
BOOK 1 - THE SILHOUETTE MAN
The Silhouette Man tells the story of a young person trying to make a positive difference, and the grandparent who mentors him along the way. The book is a full-length novel (189 pages). It is based on a true story. The book was honored in Canada as a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors.
The Silhouette Man tells the story of a young person trying to make a positive difference, and the grandparent who mentors him along the way. The book is a full-length novel (189 pages). It is based on a true story. The book was honored in Canada as a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors.
SAMPLE OF BOOK REVIEWS - THE SILHOUETTE MAN
"The Silhouette Man is a timeless tribute to two of society's greatest sources of wisdom -- the books we read & the grandparents who guide us." - Angela Bouque, Branch Manager, Gail Borden Public Library
"The Silhouette Man is a timeless tribute to two of society's greatest sources of wisdom -- the books we read & the grandparents who guide us." - Angela Bouque, Branch Manager, Gail Borden Public Library
BOOK 2 - THE FIRST THIRTY
The First Thirty tells the same story -- just in shorter form (96 pages). It is a good fit for older adults who prefer to read a short version of the story.
SAMPLE OF BOOK REVIEWS - THE FIRST THIRTY
"[The First Thirty is] a memorable example of the magical bond between kids with big dreams and the grandparents who believe in them." - Brenda Tripp-Lanser, Director, Monroe Public Library
"[The First Thirty is] a memorable example of the magical bond between kids with big dreams and the grandparents who believe in them." - Brenda Tripp-Lanser, Director, Monroe Public Library
BOOK 3 - THE MILKSHAKE MAN
There is also a condensed (42 page) picture book version of the story.
It is called The Milkshake Man.
It includes lots of illustrations. There are typically just a few sentences per page (so the print tends to be larger on most pages).
There is also a condensed (42 page) picture book version of the story.
It is called The Milkshake Man.
It includes lots of illustrations. There are typically just a few sentences per page (so the print tends to be larger on most pages).
SAMPLE OF BOOK REVIEWS - THE MILKSHAKE MAN
"The Milkshake Man... underscores the importance of the roles of mentors and mentees in society - yesterday, today and always. This book proves children's stories are not just for children. They are for the child in all of us who still longs to change their world for the better." - Eric Wooding, Life Enrichment Coordinator, Brentwood at LaPorte
THE COMPANION WORKBOOKS
One Lunch is the optional companion workbook for The Milkshake Man. A Place To Sit is the optional companion workbook for The Silhouette Man or The First Thirty. The workbooks have hundreds of questions & (non-physical) activities that readers can answer & do after reading the books.
One Lunch is the optional companion workbook for The Milkshake Man. A Place To Sit is the optional companion workbook for The Silhouette Man or The First Thirty. The workbooks have hundreds of questions & (non-physical) activities that readers can answer & do after reading the books.
SAMPLE OF REVIEWS - A PLACE TO SIT
"A Place To Sit is filled with thoughtful questions and activities that our elders can do with each other, with their grandkids, and on their own from the comfort of their own home." - Aubrey Kistler, Healthcare Activities Director, Zarrow Pointe
COVERS & PAGE 1 REVIEWS
To see the covers & page 1 reviews for the books and optional companion workbooks, click here.
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MORE BOOK REVIEWS
For a sample of additional reviews, click here. For many more book reviews visit www.gregforbes.com/reviews |
PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC
Over the years, the books & workbooks have been used with seniors all over North America.
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To see a few examples of how the books have been used with older adults before the pandemic, click here To see many additional examples, click here |
GROUPS THAT INCLUDE SENIOR VOLUNTEERS OR SENIOR BOOK CLUBS - Pandemic Activity PART 1:
You order some copies of the full-length version of the story (The Silhouette Man) or the short illustrated version (The Milkshake Man) -- through this link for the seniors you select for this 'Common Read' activity. If you want, you can also get the optional companion workbooks (A Place To Sit for The Silhouette Man, or One Lunch for The Milkshake Man) through this same link.
You order some copies of the full-length version of the story (The Silhouette Man) or the short illustrated version (The Milkshake Man) -- through this link for the seniors you select for this 'Common Read' activity. If you want, you can also get the optional companion workbooks (A Place To Sit for The Silhouette Man, or One Lunch for The Milkshake Man) through this same link.
GROUPS THAT INCLUDE SENIOR VOLUNTEERS OR SENIOR BOOK CLUBS - PART 2
Greg and the coordinator of that group arrange a private Zoom Q&A exclusively for those seniors who the group got the books for. The seniors can gather as a group in one place for the zoom q&a, or they can zoom in from their homes.
Greg and the coordinator of that group arrange a private Zoom Q&A exclusively for those seniors who the group got the books for. The seniors can gather as a group in one place for the zoom q&a, or they can zoom in from their homes.
INDEPENDENT LIVING SENIOR COMMUNITIES - PART 1:
You order some copies of the full-length version of the story (The Silhouette Man) or the short illustrated version (The Milkshake Man) through this link for the seniors in your retirement community. If you want, you can also get the optional companion workbooks through this same link.
INDEPENDENT LIVING SENIOR COMMUNITIES - Pandemic Activity PART 2:
After the seniors read the books, Greg and the representative of that retirement community arrange a private Zoom Q&A exclusively for those residents.
After the seniors read the books, Greg and the representative of that retirement community arrange a private Zoom Q&A exclusively for those residents.
SENIORS IN ASSISTED LIVING- Pandemic Activity PART 1
You order some copies of the under-100-page version of the story (The First Thirty) or the short illustrated version (The Milkshake Man) -- through this link for the seniors in your Assisted Living community. If you want, you can also get the optional companion workbooks - A Place To Sit for The First Thirty, or One Lunch for The Milkshake Man - through this same link.
You order some copies of the under-100-page version of the story (The First Thirty) or the short illustrated version (The Milkshake Man) -- through this link for the seniors in your Assisted Living community. If you want, you can also get the optional companion workbooks - A Place To Sit for The First Thirty, or One Lunch for The Milkshake Man - through this same link.
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SENIORS IN ASSISTED LIVING PART 2: After the seniors read the books, Greg and that organization arrange a private Zoom Q&A exclusively for those residents |
SKILLED NURSING OR MEMORY CARE - PART 1:
You order copies of the short illustrated version of the story - The Milkshake Man -- through this link for the seniors you support who are in Skilled Nursing or Memory Care. Due to the book's short length, they can read the books on their own or with your staff in a single sitting. If you want, you can also get them the optional companion workbooks - One Lunch - through this same link.
You order copies of the short illustrated version of the story - The Milkshake Man -- through this link for the seniors you support who are in Skilled Nursing or Memory Care. Due to the book's short length, they can read the books on their own or with your staff in a single sitting. If you want, you can also get them the optional companion workbooks - One Lunch - through this same link.
SKILLED NURSING OR MEMORY CARE OR HOSPICE - Pandemic Activity PART 2:
You'll be given access to a link to a few-minutes-long, friendly & supportive "Hello" video that Greg has made for this setting so your staff can privately play it for the seniors as a fun surprise before they start reading the books. This way, they still get to hear directly from Greg -- to feel like they "met" him -- without requiring them to stay engaged and maintain their attention for a longer period of time like a Q&A Session.
You'll be given access to a link to a few-minutes-long, friendly & supportive "Hello" video that Greg has made for this setting so your staff can privately play it for the seniors as a fun surprise before they start reading the books. This way, they still get to hear directly from Greg -- to feel like they "met" him -- without requiring them to stay engaged and maintain their attention for a longer period of time like a Q&A Session.
CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITIES - Pandemic Activity - PARTS 1 & 2:
In many cases, the participating groups have ordered a mix of the various books -- especially if they have some older adults who enjoy reading full-length novels and other older adults who prefer a shorter novel or an illustrated book. In those instances, for the second part of the activity, the organizations have gotten the choice to choose whether to have Greg do the Zoom Q&A for the residents or provide a link to a "Hello" Video.
In many cases, the participating groups have ordered a mix of the various books -- especially if they have some older adults who enjoy reading full-length novels and other older adults who prefer a shorter novel or an illustrated book. In those instances, for the second part of the activity, the organizations have gotten the choice to choose whether to have Greg do the Zoom Q&A for the residents or provide a link to a "Hello" Video.
ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE IN-HOME CARE TO SENIORS ON ONE-TO-ONE BASIS - Pandemic Activity PARTS 1 AND 2:
You order copies of the books through this link as gifts for the seniors you support, and your caregivers can read the books with those seniors. You can get copies of any of the 3 books for this activity. The Milkshake Man has seemed to be an especially natural fit since it has lots of colorful pictures, not a lot of text, and can be read together in a single sitting by an aging adult & their caregiver. If you want, you can also get the optional companion workbooks through this same link. In turn, you'll be given access to a link to a few-minutes-long, friendly and supportive "Hello" video that Greg has made for this setting so your caregivers can privately play it for those seniors as a fun surprise before they start reading the books.
You order copies of the books through this link as gifts for the seniors you support, and your caregivers can read the books with those seniors. You can get copies of any of the 3 books for this activity. The Milkshake Man has seemed to be an especially natural fit since it has lots of colorful pictures, not a lot of text, and can be read together in a single sitting by an aging adult & their caregiver. If you want, you can also get the optional companion workbooks through this same link. In turn, you'll be given access to a link to a few-minutes-long, friendly and supportive "Hello" video that Greg has made for this setting so your caregivers can privately play it for those seniors as a fun surprise before they start reading the books.
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HOW MANY COPIES?
In all of these cases above, the groups & locations participating in this activity order a total of at least 5 copies of the books for the seniors. Typically, each location participating in this activity during the pandemic has ordered between 5 and 50 copies. Most have ordered between 5 and 15 copies. Many of them have also gotten companion workbooks. |
ACTIVITY SPREADS ACROSS NATION
Communities for older adults and organizations that involve seniors all over the nation have already taken and/or are currently taking part in this activity -- including groups in nearly forty states. |
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IN SOME CASES, GROUPS HAVE ADDED OTHER PARTS TO THE ACTIVITY ON THEIR OWN
In some cases -- in addition to doing the Virtual Q&A with the Author -- the senior communities have also set up an additional meeting for the residents -- so they can have their own internal Book Club discussion after reading the books.
In some cases -- in addition to doing the Virtual Q&A with the Author -- the senior communities have also set up an additional meeting for the residents -- so they can have their own internal Book Club discussion after reading the books.
ACTIVITY EXPANDS TO STAFF
In some cases, groups that serve seniors have taken the idea
in an additional direction -- as an activity for their staff and/or administrators. They order copies of the books for them.
And then, after they read them, Greg does a private
Zoom Q&A just for those employees.
In some cases, groups that serve seniors have taken the idea
in an additional direction -- as an activity for their staff and/or administrators. They order copies of the books for them.
And then, after they read them, Greg does a private
Zoom Q&A just for those employees.
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To order the books and/or workbooks, click here