Books That Heal Kids: Alzheimer's and Dementia

Showing posts with label Alzheimer's and Dementia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alzheimer's and Dementia. Show all posts

Book Review: What a Beautiful Morning


Author: Arthur A. Levine
Illustrator: Katie Kath
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Every morning is beautiful when Noah visits his Grandparents. Grandpa and Noah take off singing and hardly stop: walking the dog, splashing through puddles, eating French toast with cinnamon. 

But one summer Grandpa seems to have forgotten how to do the things they love. Does he even know who Noah is? Grandma steps in energetically, filling in as best she can. But it is Noah who finds the way back to something he can share with Grandpa. Something musical. Something that makes the morning beautiful again. This is a story about how love helps us find even what we think is lost. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is a really helpful story to help support children who are experiencing their grandparent going through changes. The gradual memory loss of Noah's grandparent has an impact on their relationship and it takes an emotional toll on him. What I really loved about this book is instead of everything becoming so sad, the child develops a new perspective on focusing on the positive things that are happening in the present. This models a healthy approach to dealing with something that otherwise might be scary and confusing. This one is a winner!

A Link to This Book: 
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Book Review: Grandma


From the Book Jacket: Oscar loves Grandma, and their time together is always lots of fun. As she becomes less able to take care of herself, she has to go into a nursing home. 

More and more children are encountering dementia and its effects on their families. This touching story, told in Oscar's own words, is a positive and practical tale about the experience. The factual page about dementia helps children talk about their feelings and find new ways to enjoy the changing relationship. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: When there is change in a family kids need information. Grandma provides the reassurance children might be looking for in a situation that feels uncertain. If they are not told the reasons about a change - they will fill the holes on their own. They need to be in the loop and this is the perfect book to help do that. 






A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Useful: 
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Book Review: Forget Me Not

Author: Nancy Van Laan
Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Julia remembers when Grandma was still her old sweet self - when she still made fried chicken and biscuits the times Julia visited, and her eyes twinkled like candles on a cake. But ever so slowly, Grandma has been getting more forgetful. Soon, she can't even remember Julia's name, and her family sees that Grandma can no longer take care of herself. How Julia and her parents cope with these difficult changes makes for a gentle and reassuring story about a young child's unconditional love for a cherished grandparent.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This book is a wonderful validation for those who are experiencing the loss of a grandparent due to Alzheimers. When I say loss - I don't mean death. The grandparent is physically there but not able to recall the past or their loved ones. This is hard on everyone but especially so on children because it is confusing. Forget Me Not gently explains Alzheimers while empowering the child that they can continue to still love their grandparent. Such a helpful resource for families. 

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
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Books About Alzheimer's

I have discovered two absolutely fabulous books explaining Alzheimer's in a very empathetic way to children. The books are not only informative but they are so full of comfort. If Alzheimer's is impacting your family and your kids are confused as to what is happening to a family member - especially a grandparent, these are two books I highly recommend. As I finished reading both of these - I could immediately felt how supportive they will be for children trying to understand a very complicated and frustrating disease.

Grandpa's Music - A Story About Alzheimer's
Author: Alison Acheson
Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
Interest Level: Grades 1 and Up

Summary: Grandpa takes care of the garden, kneads bread, and makes music on the piano.  Everyone in Callie's family helps out around the house, now that Grandpa, who has Alzheimer's, lives with them.  The family becomes Grandpa's "home team," and Callie loves spending time with them. 

As months go by, Grandpa forgets more, and he can't do as much as he could before.  But he can still make music - his fingers remember the notes on the piano.  And when he can't recall the words to a favorite old song, Callie helps him come up with new things that they can sing about together. 

Alison Acheson's thoughtful storytelling and Bill Farnsworth's touching paintings portray a family that learns to adapt to the challenges of Alzheimer's disease while making the very best of their time together.

The Memory Box
Author: Mary Bahr
Illustrator: David Cunningham
Interest Level: Grades 1 and Up

Book Summary: Zach is excited - three weeks of fishing Gramp's lake and eating Gram's cooking. Their first day together is so good, Gramps call it a "Memory Box" day. But Zach isn't prepared, for the story about the memory box. It's a box to save the memories forever; and it's especially for Gramps because he has Alzheimer's disease. The three of them spend their days together filling the box, with new memories and old. And all three support each other, building strength to handle whatever comes. 


A Link to These Books:


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Book Review: Grandma's Gloves

Author: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrator: Julia Denos
Interest Level: Ages 5-8

A Note From the Publisher: Grandma is always on her knees in the dirt, with her gardening gloves on, talking to her roses. Her home brims with plants and blossoms, and on hot days, she even waters the little girl in this story, her "most special flower of all," with the hose.

But a day comes when Grandma isn't there to care for the little girl anymore. She feels sad and small and alone until she remembers all that her grandmother taught her- and all that she has to teach. Full of light and life and the solace of green, growing things, this moving and beautifully illustrated picture book explores a timeless bond with warmth and joy.

Hello, Gorgeous Illustrations!
Why It's On My Bookshelf: I couldn't help but to tear up while reading this. It is such BEAUTIFUL bibliotherapy. When I was a child, I would have wanted to read this to help with grief. It's the type of life lesson that puts a smile on your face when you close the book. There is so much we can teach children about what they can do with the memories they have of a grandparent. Author Cecil Castellucci reminds us to take these gifts and wisdom and keep passing them on. In Grandma's Gloves the little girl appreciates her Grandma's adoration of gardening. Her memories are filled with Grandma working in her garden and always having her gloves nearby. A relationship and bond formed out of this hobby. It's the connection to her Grandma. Who knew a pair of garden gloves could mean so much to a little girl. They mean so much that she wants to keep the tradition alive...so lovely.

It got me thinking about a set of bowls I have in my kitchen. When my own Grandmother passed away they were given to me. I love them because of the meaning behind them. They remind me of the memories of the wonderful meals she would make us on Sundays.

My Grandma's Bowls
Although it's sad she's not around to make us her yummy German recipes, I take comfort in having the bowls in my home. And when I use them - it's very special to me....just like the gloves in the book.

This would be a wonderful read aloud to a classroom. Make sure to share your own memories and treasures from your grandparents.....

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