Below are the descriptions of the storybooks with reading guides:

Aunt Rita

An Alzheimer's Story for Young Children Aunt Rita

Author:  KJ Cronan
Illustrator:  Casey Cronan

Description: Harry is an active 4th grader who loves school, sports, drawing and his friends. But the thing he cherishes most of all is the relationship he shares with his Aunt Rita. A lot of Harry's most impactful memories are spent with his Aunt Rita and their adventures together. He soon discovers that his Aunt Rita has Alzheimer's. This illness effects an adult's brain by impeding their memory and changing their thinking and behaviors. As Aunt Rita's memory continues to decline, Harry remains a positive light in her life and continues to nurture their sweet connection while helping his family do the same. 

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Ferguson the Frog

Ferguson the Forgetful Frog: A Story About Dementia

Author:  Marta Schmidt Mendez 
Illustrator:  Andreea Mironiuc

Description:  This is a story about a frog named Ferguson who has dementia.  The author uses this animated character to help young children understand and talk about dementia.  Thisstory explains the difficulties someone with dementia could experience, the feelings they could have, and the behaviors they may have because of dementia.  The bookprovides the young reader the knowledge and awareness they need to interact withtheir loved one in a caring and empathetic way.

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A Garden of Flowers

A Garden of Flowers A Story About Alzheimer's

Author:  Marta Schmidt Mendez 
IllustratorAndreea Mironiuc

Description:  Lily’s grandfather has lived with her and her family ever since Lily was a baby. Lily has always done so many fun things with her grandfather and they are very close. As Lily gets older she starts to notice that her grandfather calls her the names of different flowers, but not her name. At first this seems a funny game but soon Lily starts to become frustrated as her grandfather does not seem to notice that she does not find the game funny. Lily’s parents step in and explain that her grandfather has developed Alzheimer’s. Lily has to decide and figure out how she will interact with her grandfather now that the ability to build memories is mainly one sided. A loved one's diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can impact a family greatly. 

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My New Granny

My New Granny

Out of Print, Used Copies May Be Available

Author:  Elisabeth Steinkellner
Illustrator:  Michael Roher

Description:  Granny would comment on Fini's strange hairstyles and help her feed the ducks in the park.  Granny used to travel all over
the world and was an amazing cook. Now, Fini's Granny admires wacky hairdos, eats the bread crumbs meant for the ducks, and does not travel or cook anymore.  Eventually, Granny comes to live with Fini and her family because she needs to be watched. She needs help dressing, washing, and sometimes falls asleep underneath the table.  In the end, Fini realizes that she still can interact with her "New Granny" but in different ways.

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A Remember Balloons

The Remember Balloons

Author:  Jessie Olivero 
Illustrator:  Dana Wulfekotte

DescriptionThis is a story about a young boy named James and his grandpa. In the story, balloons represent memories.  James notices that he has more balloons than his youngerbrother but not as many as his mother or father.  His grandpa has the most balloons. One day Grandpa’s balloons start drifting away.  James soon realizes some of Grandpa’s lost balloons are now his to hold.  This book has a unique way of explaining memoryloss and can be useful when explaining the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

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A Rose for Grandma

A Rose for Grandma

Author:  Christiana Egi

Description: Annie shares her story about growing up with grandparents as they age.  They spend time together in the kitchen cooking and gardening.  As time passes, Annie notices changes in her grandma.  Grandma can no longer bake, take care of her roses in her garden, or tell stories like she used to.   Annie’s Mom takes her grandma to a doctor who diagnoses her with a brain disease called Alzheimer’s. Annie decides to create a scrapbook for her grandma so she can look back at memories.  The scrapbook takes some time to make because Annie continues to use stories that Grandma shares when she has good days.On the cover of the scrapbook, Annie places a picture of a red rose. Annie titles the book “A Rose for Grandma!”

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Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants Image

Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants:  A Story About Alzheimer's Disease for Young Children

Out of Print, Used Copies May Be Available

Author:  Barbara Schnurbush 
Illustrator:Cary Pillo

Description:  A young girl is worried when she notices that her grandmother is having trouble reading and remembering simple things. Her parents explain that her grandmother is suffering from a disorder known as Alzheimer's.

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Weeds in Nana's Garden

Weeds in Nana's Garden

Author and Illustrator:  Kathryn Harrison

Description:  A young girl and her Nana hold a special bond that blooms in the surroundings of Nana’s magical garden.  Then one day, the girl finds many weeds in the garden.  She soon discovers that her beloved Nana has Alzheimer’s Disease; an illness that affects an adult brain with tangles that get in the way of thoughts, like how weeds get in the way of flowers.  As time passes, the weeds grow thicker and her Nana declines, but the girl accepts the difficult changes with love, learning to take-over as the garden’s caregiver.  Extending from the experience of caring for her mother, artist Kathryn Harrison has created this poignant children's story with rich illustrations to candidly explore dementia diseases, while demonstrating the power of love.  

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What a Beautiful Morning

What a Beautiful Morning

Authors:  Arthur Levine andKatie Kath

Description: Noah is a young boy who loves to spend summers at his grandparent's house.  Noah and his Grandpa have rituals they follow.  Singing is a big part of everyday for Grandpa, Grandma, and Noah.  They had a docket filled with activities.  One day, Grandpa forgets the rituals and the songs.  He does not even know who Noah is.  Noah soon discovers that while things are changing, he can use singing to help bring back memories for his Grandpa.

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When My Grammy Forgets

When My Grammy Forgets, I Remember: A Child’s Perspective on Dementia

Author:  Toby Haberkorn  
IllustratorHeather Varkarotas

Description:  This story explores the difficult reality of dementia and the bittersweet changing relationship between a granddaughter and her grandmother. By including children in the family discussion, parents help them become resilient and empower them to provide comfort for the grandparents or loved ones with Alzheimer’s.

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Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in Refridgerator Book Cover

Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refridgerator?

Author:  Max Wallack and Carolyn Given

Description: Julie has always loved spending time with her Grandma. They enjoy many activities together like shopping, drawing and building puzzles.  Now Grandma lives with Julie and her parents.  This means they get to spend even more time together.  Sometimes Grandma has trouble remembering names and where she put things.  At times, Grandma doesn't remember who Julie is!  When Grandma forgets, Julie helps Grandma remember.  She always tells Grandma she loves her.  Julie's parents explain to her "Grandma has Alzheimer's and the cells in her brain can't always throw and catch messages the way they should."  Julie's parents also tell her she is a good caregiver when she helps Grandma.

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Below is a list of other storybooks:

Dancing with Granddad

Dancing With Grandad:  An Alzheimer's Story for Children and Their Families

Author:  Linda Bozzo 
Illustrator: Mudassir M. Abid

Description: Dancing with Granddad is a teaching tool adults can use to have a conversation with a child about Alzheimer’s disease.  The book takes young readers on the journey of learning in an age-appropriate way that seven-year-old Nia’s Granddad has Alzheimer’s and will need to move to a new home.  They also learn that while Nia’s Granddad is changing, the love they have between them never will.  Suggested for children ages 5 through 8.  Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has published the book.  https://shop.alzfdn.org  

Grandma and Me

Grandma and Me:  A Kid's Guide for Alzheimer's and Dementia

Authors:  Beatrice Tauber Prior and Mary Ann Drummond
Illustrated by:  Julia Walther
Description: Beatrice and Mary Ann combine their years of clinical experience to create a truly engaging, yet informative book for young children on the topics of Alzheimer's and dementia. The beautiful artwork will capture children's attention and bring them into the story. Grandma and Me provides a gentle, yet age appropriate description of Alzheimer's disease, while providing tools to help children continue to have a relationship with their loved one despite the disease. It  addresses a difficult topic with love and understanding and provides the tools for children to successfully navigate the journey ahead.

Granny Needs My Help

Granny Needs My Help:  A Child's Look at Dementia and Alzheimer's

Author: Deborah L. Mills
Illustrated by:  Julia Walther
Description: This Alzheimer’s book for children explains Alzheimer’s in kid-friendly terms. The book presents memory loss in an easy-to-understand narrative.  Zeh discovers what is going on with her granny’s brain. The book peers into the feelings and confusion children can face when a loved one is diagnosed with memory loss like Alzheimer’s.  The book presents memory loss in an easy-to-understand narrative. The storybook follows a family facing their challenge together and making the most of every available moment.

Remembering for Both of Us

Remembering for Both of Us:  A Child Learns about Alzheimer's

Author: Charlotte Wood
Illustrated by:  Dennis Auth
Description: Tasha loves her grandfather, and she knows that PaPa loves her. But lately, PaPa has begun to forget things. He is often confused and upset. Sometimes, he does not even recognize his own family. How can Tasha's grandmother help her see that while PaPa is changing, his love for Tasha has not? Remembering for Both of Us is a touching story of a child's first glimpse of Alzheimer's and a reminder that ties of the heart transcend age and illness.

 

Sometime Grandma and Grandpa Forget

Sometimes Grandma and Grandpa Forget

Author: Kacy C. Chambers
Editor:  Dr. Carolyn M. Johnson  
DescriptionChildren understand far more than adults often give them credit for.  They are observers. They recognize changes. When the people they love begin behaving differently, often, children are the first to notice. That’s when adults should step in and answer their questions, listen to their concerns, provide guidelines, and help them brainstorm ways to help those suffering from dementia or its most common cause—Alzheimer’s.Written in a children’s story format, this bookprovides the perfect platform for parents to begin a much-needed conversation and help ease children’s worries. Starting from a place of knowledge will empower them to continue to love, assist where possible, and understand that dementia is a disease that affects people; it shouldn’t define them.

 

 

 


We were unable to find any storybooks about Alzheimer's disease for Native American children.  However, we discovered there are educational materials for adults about Alzheimer's disease.

 

Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease in Native People

Booklet:  Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease in Native People

https://alz.org/media/Documents/Memory-Loss-and-Alzheimer-s-Disease-in-Native-People.pdf  

Author:  Bureau of Health Professional, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
Description:  Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease. American Indian people are not strangers to Alzheimer’s. This tragic condition has affected Tribal Elders.  Families are faced with the struggle of understanding how to cope with caring for their loved ones who have been touched by Alzheimer’s while at the same time caring for their children.

Road Map for Indian Country

Booklet: Road Map for Indian Country

https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/indian-country-roadmap.html  

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and with greater age comes increased risk. Between 2014-2060, the number of American Indian and Alaska Natives aged 65 and older living with memory loss is projected to grow over five times. Today, one of every five American Indian and Alaska Native adults aged 45 and older reported experiencing subjective cognitive decline—increased difficulty in thinking or remembering over the past year—which can be a precursor to dementia.

Below are fact sheets for download and printing for reference: