Books to Help Children

When Children Grieve, John W. James, Russell Friedman and Dr. Leslie Landon Matthews
To watch a child grieve and not know what to do is a profoundly difficult experience for parents, teachers, and caregivers. Yet, there are guidelines for helping children develop a lifelong, healthy response to loss.

In When Children Grieve, the authors offer a cutting-edge volume to free children from the false idea of “not feeling bad” and to empower them with positive, effective methods of dealing with loss.

Always Gramma, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
A loving grandchild describes what it is like when Gramma becomes increasingly confused and forgetful, to the point that she can no longer take care of herself.

What’s Happening to Grandpa?, Maria Shriver
Kate has always adored her grandpa’s storytelling – but lately he’s been repeating the same stories again and again. One day, he even forgets Kate’s name. Her mother’s patient explanations open Kate’s eyes to what so many of the elderly must confront: Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss. Determined to support her grandfather, Kate explores ways to help him – and herself – cope by creating a photo album of their times together, memories that will remain in their hearts forever.

Grandpa Forgot My Name, Nancy Gruenwald
Illustrated by Bruce Loeschen. Austin, MN: Newborn Books, c1997. (Newborn Books, 508 South Main Street, Austin, MN 55912. Email: nlgrunew@wolf.co.net)
Grandpa came to live with the family because he couldn’t take care of himself anymore. Dad helped him dress and mom helped him eat his vegetables, but Grandpa doesn’t forget how to eat cookies and doughnuts… and ice cream. This delightful book is based on the author’s family’s experiences with a grandpa who lived with them for a year before he died. It’s message is clear, that caregiving is a rewarding experience though not an easy one, and though the grandpa in the story forget his grandaugher’s name, he didn’t forget he loved her.

Grandpa Doesn’t Know It’s Me, Donna Guthrie
A straightforward fictional presentation of Alzheimer’s disease and its effect on the family. Lizzie describes how Grandpa used to teach her and join in her play when she was little, then how he begins to forget first minor and gradually more important things. As the disease advances, he moves in with Lizzie’s family, which soon needs the respite of occasional day care for Grandpa, who can be bewilderingly unreasonable.

Nanny’s Special Gift, Rochelle Potaracke
A moment of recognition by his grandmother, who has been forgetting things because of her Alzheimer’s disease, reminds seven-year-old Patrick that she is still the Nanny who loves him.

Sachio Means Happiness, Kimiko Sakai
Although at first five-year-old Sachiko is upset when her grandmother no longer recognizes her, she grows to understand that they can still be happy together.

Rainbows and Other Promises, Laurie Swinwood
Young Sara must put her troubles behind her and come to terms with her Gramps’ Alzheimer’s Disease.

If I forget, You Remember, Carol Williams
Sixth grade is over and Elyse Donaldson is ready for a perfect summer. She’s going to read her favorite books and write her first novel. She’s even determined to get along with her older sister, Jordyn. But her plans quickly unravel. Her beloved grandmother is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and her widowed mother is starting to date . . .

Going Backwards, Norma Klein
Family dynamics are strained when Grandmother Gustel, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, moves in; though Charles, a high school senior, hopelessly tries to live a normal life, while his father refuses to recognize the problem.

Let’s Talk about When Someone You Love Has Alzheimer’s, Elizabeth Weitzman
Discusses the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease and offers basic mechanisms for coping with a loved one’s illness.