I first heard of Alzheimer’s disease at age thirteen, when my father’s uncle moved in with my grandmother, next door to us. We quickly realized why he could no longer live alone. His diminishing memory meant he needed someone to remind him how to dress for the weather and when it was time to brush his teeth. If my grandmother needed to run errands, someone from my household would stay with her brother to keep him safe.
Many kids have relationships with grandparents or other adults who are experiencing some form of dementia. It can be a confusing situation for a child, wondering why the grownup they love can’t do the same things anymore or why they ask the same questions over and over. As with so many of life’s struggles, books can help.
“Travels With My Granny,” a picture book written by Juliet Rix and illustrated by Christopher Corr, is narrated by a child who takes imaginary journeys all over the world with their granny, who was an avid traveler in her younger years. She has lost her short-term memory. However, she can still recall older events, much to the delight of the grandchild who finds joy in descriptions of India, China and other destinations.
Sophia Lee’s book, “Holding On” speaks to the power
of music to bring us back to ourselves. “There is always singing in Lola’s house,” the story begins. Isabel Roxas’ illustrations are colorful and lively, but lose their richness and detail as the reader discovers Lola is becoming quiet and lost in her own home. However, her granddaughter finds a way to bring back a spark through music and dance.
In “Coffee, Rabbit, Snowdrop, Lost” by Betina Birkjaer, we see a grandfather, always a wiz at crossword puzzles, begin to lose his words. Anna Kjaergaard’s illustrations show the words literally dropping away from him as he moves through his days. On one cold night, his grandchild, Stump, realizes Grandpa himself is missing. After Stump and his grandmother find Grandpa, they realize they have to find new ways to connect with him and show their love.
“Roll With It” by Jamie Sumner is a chapter book for older kids.
The main character is 12-year-old Ellie, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She faces a difficult transition when her mom moves them in with Ellie’s grandparents. Her grandfather has Alzheimer’s, and his care is more than her grandmother can handle alone. Fortunately, Ellie discovers a way to bring fulfillment to herself and those around her through her love of baking. Sumner handles the realities of dementia and of Ellie’s disability with sensitivity.
For more recommendations, see our catalog list.
