Selected for Reading Well for Dementia 2024: endorsed by health experts, charities and people affected by dementia.

‘Sometimes, a person’s brain gets sick with a disease called dementia.’

What does dementia do to the brain? What changes might we notice if a parent or grandparent has the disease? How might we feel about it and what can help?

This book breaks down misconceptions about dementia and speaks directly to children aged under 5 about the realities of the disease, using age appropriate language in an engaging and informative way. It reassures parents of the value of open and honest conversation about the challenges raised by dementia and offers advice and support in the opening ‘Guide for grown ups’. It includes a diverse audience of characters, to emphasize that ANY child can be impacted by dementia in their loved ones. Unlike traditional storybooks, the ending provides a question for the adult and child reading it to ponder together.

Are you looking for a picture book to talk about dementia or Alzheimer’s with a child? This Alzheimer’s book for children explains Alzheimer’s dementia in kid-friendly terms. The book presents memory loss in an easy-to-understand narrative.

Boys and girls alike will benefit from this “must have” children’s read. Alzheimer’s has an impact on families around the world. This book allows a family to face this challenge together and make the most of every available moment.

In Granny Needs My Help: A Child’s Look at Dementia and Alzheimer’s the main character Zéh is excited, happy, and challenged as she helps and continues to show her granny expressed love. She gains an understanding of dementia, as she has fun with and is challenged by her granny. Granny Needs My Help is a true gem for families and children of all ages.

“Unreservedly recommended.” Midwest Book Review A lighthearted picture book about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia told from the perspective of a six-year-old boy, appropriate for children in preschool through early elementary school (ages 3 – 8). Granny can’t remember that Joey likes soccer and rockets and dogs. Granny can’t remember much of anything. But with Granny’s stories of her Three Best Days, Joey knows she loves him just the same. Alzheimer’s disease is more and more common, and many young children experience this sometimes scary and sad family situation. Granny Can’t Remember Me shows a boy’s acceptance and love for his grandmother despite this unfortunate illness.

Grandpa’s Magic Memory Box – A Children’s Book About Dementia by G.M. Grace is a heartwarming and compassionate story that introduces young readers to the complex topic of dementia through the eyes of its main character, Alex.

Meet Alex, a curious and loving child who adores spending weekends with Grandpa Jack. Together, they share precious moments filled with captivating stories from “the olden days.” But one day, something starts to change. Grandpa Jack begins forgetting little things like where he put his glasses or the name of Alex’s favorite toy.

As Alex becomes increasingly concerned, the story gently approaches the subject of dementia. Alex’s parents provide a clear and comforting explanation, describing dementia as a condition where memories, like books in a library, can get mixed up or misplaced. They emphasize that this condition doesn’t diminish Grandpa’s love for Alex, even when he forgets names or stories.

In a beautiful demonstration of empathy and creativity, Alex decides to create a “Magic Dementia Memory Box” for Grandpa Jack. This box becomes a repository for cherished photographs, mementos, and short stories of their time together. It serves as a source of comfort and connection for both of them, especially during moments of confusion or forgetfulness.

Throughout the book, young readers join Alex on a journey of understanding and compassion, navigating a range of emotions from sadness to frustration. With the support of parents, teachers, and friends, Alex learns that it’s okay to feel these emotions and to talk about them openly.

As the story unfolds, Alex discovers that others in the school community also have relatives facing similar challenges. Together, they build empathy, share coping strategies, and offer each other support.

Grandpa’s Magic Memory Box beautifully illustrates the resilience of love and the enduring nature of memories. Even as Grandpa Jack’s condition evolves, Alex finds new ways to connect and engage with him, creating new traditions and strengthening their bond.

This book is a valuable resource for families, educators, and children, offering a sensitive and age-appropriate exploration of dementia, empathy, and the enduring power of love and memories. It encourages open conversations and fosters understanding, making it an essential addition to any child’s library.

Riley loves spending time with her grandparents, but after visiting them one day, she notices Grandma doesn’t recognize her. Mommy explains that Grandma may have dementia, so her memory isn’t as good as it used to be. Riley tries her best to help Grandma remember and writes about their time together in her diary.

This uplifting and touching story encourages young readers to support and care for the elderly with love, patience and understanding. Written as a series of diary entries, Grandma, It’s Me! also encourages journaling as a way to process emotions and feelings in order to become resilient to face life’s many challenges.

Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner in the Children – Picture Book category!

Five Star Reviews from Readers’ Favorite
“… Grandma, It’s Me! A Children’s Book about Dementia, is a caring, compassionate way to teach young readers about memory loss and how they can help…The power of love shines through this touching story. Beautifully told.”
– Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite

“… This book offers so many wonders in learning about the journey of loved ones living with dementia or Alzheimer’s and those who care for them… loved this book and highly recommend it for young and old alike.”
– Vernita Naylor for Readers’ Favorite

In Grandma and Me, Beatrice and Mary Ann combine their years of clinical experience to create a truly engaging, yet informative book for young children on the topics of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The beautiful artwork will capture children’s attention, bring them into the story, and help them return on their own. Grandma and Me provides a gentle, yet age appropriate description of Alzheimer’s disease, while providing tools that helps children continue to have a relationship with their loved one despite the disease. Grandma and Me addresses a difficult topic with love and understanding and provides the tools for children to successfully navigate the journey ahead.

Discover a touching story to help young children come to terms with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Gramps is always telling us stories! Sometimes he tells us the same ones over and over again. Mom and dad say he has Alzheimer’s disease – but even if he forgets our names sometimes, we still love him as much as ever.

Specially written as a heartwarming tale to help young children understand dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, this beautiful story gently reminds kids that even though their grandfather might forget their name or tell the same story over and over, he still loves them just as much as always!

Perfect for parents who want to help kids come to terms with the nature of Alzheimer’s disease, Gramps Treasured Memories shares an underlying message of love and support, reassuring kids who might be confused or worried about their grandparent’s forgetfulness.

Book details:

Features a Touching Story with Gorgeous Illustrations and a Valuable Message of Love & Support
Perfect for Both Boys & Girls aged between 5-11 Years Old
Seeks to Help Children Understand Why Their Grandma Or Grandpa Often Struggles To Remember Things
Makes a Valuable Read for Families With an Elderly Loved One Suffering From Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
Ideal as a Teaching Tool at Home Or In The Classroom
And Much More…

With a simple and elegant story that comforts parents and children alike, this book explains forgetfulness and memory loss in a way that children can easily grasp, promoting a greater degree of awareness, compassion, and understanding.

Kiera loves spending time with her grandma. They play dress up. They paint their nails. They make cookies for picnics with Kiera’s doll. But then Grandma starts to change. She starts misplacing items and forgetting how to do everyday tasks. Soon she has to move out of her home into a memory-care center for people with Alzheimer’s. She starts calling Kiera by a different name. Then Kiera has an idea and finds a new way to enjoy time with her Grandma.

A Doll for Grandma is perfect for children grappling with their changing relationship with a family member who has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. A special page with information on helping children understand Alzheimer’s disease written by expert Judy Cornish, the founder of the Dementia and Alzheimer’s Well Being Network is included for family discussion.

Alex is excited that his grandma is coming to live with his family. He imagines all the fun they will have together. He soon learns something about his grandma that makes him question if their relationship will ever be the same. This book will help start conversations with children about dementia and help relieve anxieties that children might have about someone close to them who may be living with dementia.