Books about dementia for children

The Memory Key by Nigel Baines

For 8-11 year olds, the story centres around a girl whose Grandad has Alzheimer’s disease, his fractured memories of his time as a refugee from Hungary and a clockwork train with magical property.

A way with the fairies by Raja Badrakalimuthu  

Raja has worked as a consultant in old age psychiatry since 2012 and has a particular interest in the care of younger adults with dementia. He has written a book which tells the story of eight-year-old Sachin’s experience as his mathematical genius of a father fights dementia. Sachin narrates through play, puzzles and poems a poignant yet powerful and positive life of his Appa.

This is my family by Barbara Chambers and Karen Harborow 

This is a children’s book for children with a parent with young onset dementia. Jack is 13 years old. He lives with his daddy, mummy, sister Amy and dog Sam. Jack’s daddy has dementia.

Big bear, Little bear and dementia by Katie Faulkner

Big Bear is living with dementia and can no longer always do the things that Big Bears do. Little Bear feels confused by this and approaches Doctor Bear for support. Little Bear learns that our loves, laughs and memories are stored inside memory books, which are affected by dementia. Little Bear discovers that although Big Bear can no longer read the memory books, the loves, laughs and memories they share are stored safely inside Big Bears heart- Big Bear is still Big Bear! The characters in this book aim to be inclusive hence the bears do not identify with any particular age, gender, race, religion or culture.

A kid’s guide to dementia by Tegan Harris 

A kid’s guide to dementia’ was written by 17-year-old author Tegan Harris when she discovered that there was very little information out there for young people when researching for a school project. Working in collaboration with charity ADS, it is hoped that the book will raise awareness at the same time as raising funds to support those affected by dementia.

Lovely old lion byJulia Jarman 

Lenny the lion loves his grandpa, King Lion.  But when King Lion starts to forget things, Lenny begins to worry. He can’t understand why grandpa keeps getting muddled and doesn’t want to play anymore. Lenny doesn’t know what to do, but with a little help from grandpa’s old friends, perhaps he can find a way to help him remember… Whilst not specifically about young onset dementia, this book is beautifully illustrated and is written in a way that helps to explain dementia to younger children.

The Forgetful Elephant  by Irene MacKay 

The story is about a little elephant called Ellie who is going to visit her grandparents. She is concerned that the last time she saw her grandpa, he could not remember her. Her mum gently explains why he is forgetting things and after hearing her explanation, Ellie writes a poem and finds ways to help her grandpa to remember her. This book is not written about young onset dementia but is sensitively written and it helps to explain dementia to younger children.

My book about brains, change and dementia by Lynda Moore 

Explains the complex concepts of dementia, such as brain function, disease progression and death to pre-school aged children in a direct and age-appropriate way, as well as exploring children’s feelings about these issues. This book caters for children aged four+ who have a loved one at any stage of dementia.

Travels with my granny by Juliet Rix 

A sensitive introduction to old-age confusion and dementia, through the loving and imaginative relationship between granny and her grandchild – and their colourful journeys.