"I Smile For Grandpa" - a bookwrap

What is dementia?  Alzheimer Society of Canada

Dementia is an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. Symptoms may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. ... Dementia is not a specific disease.

Unwrapping

I Smile For Grandpa: A loving story about dementia disease for young children.

Authored by Jaclyn Guenette

Illustrated and Edited by Kathryn Harrison

* Ages: 5-8
* Grades: K-3
* Paperback: 32 pages
* Publisher:  Flipturn Publishing
* Pub. Date: April 30, 2018
* Language: English

Editorial Reviews

• "An endearing story, starting with tender moments between a grandchild and grandpa.... Well done in captivating the different emotions and behaviour one with dementia can exhibit. The story and illustrations show how the grandchild can support grandpa as dementia progresses, using reminders and distractions...The book also aptly includes valuable answers to common questions following the story." Teresa Cheung, MD, CCFP
• "This book provides a wonderful explanation for young children to assist in understanding the dementia journey that their loved one is on. It will assist with answering questions for "little buddies" everywhere." Crystal de Jong, RN, GNC(C).
• "The authors of 'I Smile for Grandpa' have done beautiful work in this poignant children's story about dementia, love, and family. One of the things I really appreciate is how relatable I think it is for children, even if they are not directly affected by dementia in their family, as it speaks to a number of themes that young children can understand. I would highly recommend this wonderfully illustrated book to both parents and helping professionals. Jennifer Pearson, MACP, Family Therapist.
• "This book is so warmly written and illustrated...children who have loved ones touched by dementia, will be able to relate to it in a meaningful way, feeling hope and reassurance." Kim Pollard, RSW. 

Unwrapping some wonderful illustrations for you to enjoy

Unwrapping the story

I love children's books that touch your heart and that teach compassion and understanding.  This informative book certainly fits into those categories.  Little Buddy adores his Grandpa and they hang out together a lot.  They play soccer, go on nature walks, play hide and seek and campout in the summer practising their whistling skills.  They spend quality time enjoying each other's company immensely and they truly are an inseparable team.  

One day Little Buddy's Mommy shares that Grandpa has a disease called Dementia which is a sickness in his brain that hides his thoughts and his memories from him.  Little Buddy starts observing those changes first hand when Grandpa doesn't play soccer with him any more, needs an adult chaperone when they take their walks and is unable to go camping with the family anymore.  Little Buddy discovers even with these sad changes he and his beloved Grandpa still can have fun, in fact, their times together seem even more special and rich. 

The illustrations are expressive, full of emotion and help the young reader to visually understand how Grandpa's behaviour is being plagued by this terrible soul-stealing disease.  The author has wisely included 5 tips for speaking with your child about Alzheimers and has incorporated a Q&A segment to help  a youngster understand on a deeper level what is happening to their loved one.  I really like the fact that a portion of the profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.  It is Canada's leading health charity for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.  Kudos to the book and the contributions to a very worthy cause. 

Storywraps Rating - 5 +++ HUGS!!!!!

HURRAY!!!!!!

Meet the author

Canadian Writer, Jaclyn Guenette, is a mother of three young children. She is aRegistered Social Worker and Designated Capacity Assessor. Jaclyn is dedicated to working with families living with dementia and creating awareness and understanding of this complex group of diseases.

About the illustrator

Author / Illustrator Kathryn Harrison was educated in science and business, then worked as a marketer for over a decade before she finally turned to her creative side and was trained as an artist. In 2016, Kathryn wrote and illustrated her debut picture book, Weeds in Nana’s Garden, to help spread understanding of dementia among children. She was compelled to create this resource following her family’s own experience with her mother’s early-onset dementia. At that time, there simply weren’t many books available to explain dementia to her young children. Through the colourful illustrations and tender story in Kathryn’s book, she brings this complicated topic to a level where a child can begin to understand what is going on. Since its publication, her book has been translated into multiple languages and is available globally. In 2018, she collaborated with dementia care expert, Jaclyn Guenette, to launch another picture book about dementia, I Smile For Grandpa. Currently, Kathryn is also a member of the management team running AlzAuthors.com, a one-of-a-kind online collection of written resources about Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.

Both of Kathryn’s children’s books support the Alzheimer Society of Canada* with every purchase. For more information, please visit Flipturnpublishing.com.

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