Books that help younger children to understand dementia

My Grandma Has Dementia 

Rhymes and engaging illustrations to help start conversations and relieve anxieties about someone close who may have dementia. Aimed at four- to 10-year-olds. 

My Grandma Has Dementia, by Alex Winstanley (2021), 34 pages, £7.99, ISBN: 9798582240631. 

Grandpa Forgets 

A picture book with a simple story about caring for a relative who has dementia, including positive ways of relating to them. Aimed at ages three years and above. 

Grandpa Forgets, by Suzi Lewis-Barned (Ragged Bears, 2021), 28 pages, £6.99, ISBN: 9781857144840.

Grandma, It’s Me!

An uplifting story about a girl in Hong Kong finding ways to help her grandmother, who may have dementia, told through diary entries and bold pictures. Aimed at six- to 10-year-olds. 

Grandma, It’s Me! by YY Chan (Little White Flowers, 2022), 40 pages, £3.59, ISBN: 9789887558941. 

The Tide 

An award-winning and vividly illustrated story about families, laughter and how we can help a loved one with dementia live well. For ages three to six years. 

The Tide, by Clare Welsh (Little Tiger, 2020), 32 pages, £6.99, ISBN: 9781788810869. 

Remembering for Both of Us 

A touching story from the US about a child’s first glimpse of Alzheimer’s, and a reminder that ties of the heart transcend age and illness. 

Remembering for Both of Us: a child learns about Alzheimer’s, by Charlotte Wood (Brandylane, 2015), 32 pages, £8.25, ISBN: 9781939930293. 

Other dementia-related books for younger children include: 

• Me and Mrs Moon, by Helen Bate (Otter-Barry, 2019), 48 pages, £12.99, ISBN: 9781910959947. 
• My Book about Brains, Change and Dementia, by Lynda Moore (Jessica Kingsley, 2018), 48 pages, £11.99, ISBN: 9781785925115. 
• The Memory Journeys, by Charlie Draper and Caroline Blanchette (YPWD Berkshire, 2016), 30 pages, £5.99, ISBN: 9781366869630. 
• Grandma, by Jessica Shepherd (Child’s Play, 2014), 32 pages, £5.99, ISBN: 9781846435973.