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Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Motherhood and Parenting

10 Best Children’s Books about Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

children's books about alzheimer's

Are you searching for children’s books about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to read with your kids? You’re in the right place.

I’ll never forget my first exposure to Alzheimer’s disease. I was nine.

Unbeknownst to me, an elderly woman with dementia picked up my book. She then took it to her room during my Girl Scouts meeting at the nursing home where she lived. Retrieving my handbook from the confused woman’s dark bedroom with a nursing home employee was unsettling to say the least.

Why did this strange woman with yarn tied in her white hair steal my book? I took her minor theft personally.

Then, I lacked any previous knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The illness wasn’t really explained to me at the time. (Little did I know, I would have a crash course in dementia a little over a decade later. My mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease when I graduated from college.)

There’s nothing scarier when you’re a kid than walking blindly into a situation. It can be terrifying when you don’t understand or even know how to identify something by name.

children's books about alzheimer's

This is where picture books about dementia can help parents and caregivers tremendously. These children’s books about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can help you start important conversations with your kids. They will help you answer questions about memory loss and aging. (I wish I had read some of these books as a child.)

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10 Best Children’s Books about Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia

Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children about Alzheimer’s Disease by Linda Scacco, Ph.D. (product link)

In this thoughtful children’s book about Alzheimer’s, Daniel learns that his grandfather has Alzheimer’s disease during one of his summer visits. A helpful afterword about potential psychological issues kids may experience while confronting dementia is included for parents.

A Million More Kisses by Rene Schultz children's books about alzheimer's and dementia

This beautiful picture book about dementia deals with memory loss and death in a tender way that young kids can understand. The story is told mainly through the perspective of a little dog named Geronimo, who has befriended Nonnie. It is comforting and sweet without sugarcoating dementia and grief.

This longer picture book about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia features Grandma and Matthew in beautiful watercolor illustrations. The seasons change from spring to summer to winter throughout the progression of her dementia.

Grandma, It's Me! by Y.Y. Chan children's books about alzheimer's and dementia

My second grader read the entire picture book about Alzheimer’s by herself and gave it a glowing review. She liked the story and said it does a good job of explaining dementia to kids. And I love the sweet relationship the author portrays between Riley and her grandmother. Her character models kindness, patience, and empathy towards a grandparent with memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s.

In this children’s book about memory loss, Zach finds out Gramps has Alzheimer’s disease. While staying with Gramps and Gram, Zach fills his “Memory Box” with memories the three of them make together.

In this cute picture book about memory loss, Charlie is determined to make his grandfather with dementia smile again. He learns to tell him his own funny stories.

This award-winning picture book from Austin author Jessie Oliveros uses balloons to represent the memories James’ grandpa is losing. James collects many new balloons so that he can share with others.

This beautifully illustrated book thoughtfully depicts the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. It also shows the emotions caregivers and loved ones may experience throughout that process.

This children’s book about Alzheimer’s and dementia is a little longer and better suited for older elementary-age kids. It does a great job of educating kids about Alzheimer’s disease.

This classic picture book about memory loss and dementia tells the story of a little boy who lives next to a nursing home. He eventually helps his favorite resident find her memory.

Looking for picture books about death, grief, and loss?

Check out my list of children’s books about death, grief, and loss.

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