--- title: "When a Grandparent Has Alzheimer's or Dementia: Books to Educate and Keep Kids Connected to Their Loved Ones" description: When a loved on shows signs of dementia or Alzheimer's it can be hard to explain to young children and teens. Books are a great tool to help educate and connect kids to loved ones experiencing dementia or Alzheimer's. Read on for a list of books that may be helpful for your family. image: https://www.covenantclassical.org/hubfs/alzblog1.jpg --- [![Untitled design-9-2](https://www.covenantclassical.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design-9-2.png?width=495&height=108&name=Untitled%20design-9-2.png "Untitled design-9-2")](https://www.covenantclassical.org/) [Parent Links](https://www.covenantclassical.org/parent-links) | [Contact](https://www.covenantclassical.org/contact-us) [ 704.792.1854](tel:17047921854)     # Covenant Classical School Blog ### Never miss an update! Subscribe to our blog. # When a Grandparent Has Alzheimer's or Dementia: Books to Educate and Keep Kids Connected to Their Loved Ones Posted by [Ann Campanella](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/author/ann-campanella) on Apr 30, 2019 7:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Alzheimer’s or dementia affects most families at some point. When a loved one begins acting strangely and forgetting more than names, it’s tempting to simply not talk about it. But children and teenagers notice things, and they have their own relationships with grandparents and family members that should be honored. One way to do that is to share books with them that will help them understand that Alzheimer’s and dementia isn’t something to be feared, but it’s a condition that affects the brain. ## Here’s a list of books to have on hand for children and teens when a family has a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. ## Picture Books for Young Children [*Weeds in Nana’s Garden*](https://www.amazon.com/Weeds-Nanas-Garden-Alzheimers-dementias-ebook/dp/B01CSY4XEO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1554298100&sr=8-1) by Kathryn Harrison![alzheimer's picture book](https://www.covenantclassical.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alzblog1.jpg?width=218&name=alzblog1.jpg) When weeds begin taking over her nana’s garden, a young girl discovers her grandmother has Alzheimer’s disease; an illness that affects an adult brain with tangles that get in the way of thoughts, kind of like how weeds get in the way of flowers. As time passes, her nana declines, but the girl accepts the changes with love, learning to take-over as the garden’s caregiver. [*I Smile for Grandpa *](https://www.amazon.com/Smile-Grandpa-dementia-disease-children-ebook/dp/B07KKP3GYJ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1554298165&sr=8-1)by Jaclyn Guenette and Kathryn Harrison ![picture book about dementia](https://www.covenantclassical.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alz%20blog.jpg?width=300&name=alz%20blog.jpg)Discover the heartwarming relationship between Grandpa and his Little Buddy in this touching book. When Grandpa is diagnosed with a dementia disease, Little Buddy realizes playing soccer together won’t be quite the same. But, while the activities that Grandpa can do are changing, there is still much fun to be had. In fact, spending time with each other is as special as ever!   [*Grandma and Me: A Kid’s Guide for Alzheimer’s and Dementia *](https://www.amazon.com/Grandma-Me-Guide-Alzheimers-Dementia-ebook/dp/B0773BKDR2/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=grandma+%26+me+mary+ann+drummond&qid=1554298223&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull)* *by Beatrice Tauber Pryor and Mary Ann Drummond *Grandma and Me* provides a gentle, yet age-appropriate description of Alzheimer’s disease, addressing the unexpected and sometimes unsettling changes that can occur in a loved one. This book affirms the role children play in relationships and teaches them how to be compassionate caregivers. ## Novels for Teens ![Teen novel Alzheimer's](https://www.covenantclassical.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alzblogpost.jpg?width=395&name=alzblogpost.jpg) [*No Sad Songs*](https://www.amazon.com/No-Sad-Songs-Frank-Morelli-ebook/dp/B079J6PYYJ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=no+sad+songs&qid=1554298305&s=gateway&sr=8-1) by Frank Morelli Following a family tragedy, 18-year-old Gabe LoScuda finds himself thrust into the role of caregiver for his ailing grandfather. Between shopping trips and doctor visits with Grandpa, Gabe and his friend John try to salvage their senior year, meet girls, and make the varsity baseball team. But Gabe realizes that looking after a grandfather with Alzheimer's is more work (and more important) than he ever imagined. ![teen alzheimer's novel](https://www.covenantclassical.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alzblog2.jpg?width=324&name=alzblog2.jpg) [*10 Steps to Girlfriend Status*](https://www.amazon.com/Steps-Girlfriend-Status-Bird-Face-ebook/dp/B014RC07HW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1554298369&sr=8-1-fkmrnull) by Cynthia T. Toney At the start of high school, Wendy is on track with two loyal best friends, a complete and happy family, and a boyfriend she’s had a crush on since eighth grade—until something unexpected happens. This story addresses issues of adapting to a blended family, having a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, and struggling through that first innocent romantic relationship. For more books about Alzheimer’s and dementia, visit AlzAuthors.com, a site with over 200 resources for caregivers. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4109852/74cb5e53-e7de-400c-a0d8-63f67b45aa10.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4109852/74cb5e53-e7de-400c-a0d8-63f67b45aa10) [![Register Now: Open House | Covenant Classical School](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4109852/07eddf87-947b-4fa2-8216-573b89241083.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4109852/07eddf87-947b-4fa2-8216-573b89241083)  Ann Campanella is the parent of a Covenant Classical high school student. She is co-manager of [AlzAuthors.com](https://alzauthors.com/) and the author of [*Motherhood: Lost and Found*](https://www.amazon.com/Motherhood-Lost-Found-Ann-Campanella-ebook/dp/B01L30NTYY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Motherhood+lost+and+found&qid=1554298416&s=gateway&sr=8-1)*,* a memoir about her mother’s descent into Alzheimer’s at the same time Ann was trying to become a mom. Topics: [Parenting](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/topic/parenting), [Reading](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/topic/reading), [Health](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/topic/health) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Parenting (78)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/parenting) - [Education (60)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/education) - [Classical Christian (46)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/classical-christian) - [Academics (35)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/academics) - [Family (33)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/family) - [Early Education (31)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/early-education) - [Family Fun (25)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/family-fun) - [Leisure (23)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/leisure) - [Community (20)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/community) - ["Character (18)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/character) - [Kindergarten (18)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/kindergarten) - [Religion (18)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/religion) - [college (17)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/college) - [Holidays (15)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/holidays) - [Health (13)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/health) - [Graduation (12)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/graduation) - [Schedule (11)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/schedule) - [leadership (8)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/leadership) - [technology (8)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/technology) - [Athletics (7)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/athletics) - [Reading (7)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/reading) - [Stem (5)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/stem) - [science (5)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/science) - [Fatherhood (4)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/fatherhood) - [Organization (4)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/organization) - [Classical Parenting 101 (3)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/classical-parenting-101) - [Physical Education (3)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/physical-education) - [Classroom (2)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/classroom) - [Diet (2)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/diet) - [Finances (2)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/finances) - [Investing (2)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/investing) - [Math (2)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/math) - [Nutrition (2)](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/tag/nutrition) [see all](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog/when-a-grandparent-has-alzheimers-or-dementia-books-to-educate-and-keep-kids-connected-to-their-loved-ones#) [![Covenant Logo 220.png](https://www.covenantclassical.org/hs-fs/hubfs/BBS/Covenant%20Logo%20220.png?width=218&name=Covenant%20Logo%20220.png "Covenant Logo 220.png")](https://www.covenantclassical.org/) [** ** ](https://www.facebook.com/CovenantClassicalSchoolnc/) [** ** ](https://www.instagram.com/covenantclassicalschool/) [** ** ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCne25duVtUTc4mJ1VK21_ZQ) [About](https://www.covenantclassical.org/who-we-are) [Academics](https://www.covenantclassical.org/academics) [Student Life](https://www.covenantclassical.org/student-life) [Admissions](https://www.covenantclassical.org/admissions) [Faculty](https://www.covenantclassical.org/faculty-and-staff) [Blog](https://www.covenantclassical.org/blog) [Calendar](https://www.covenantclassical.org/calendar) [Contact Us](https://www.covenantclassical.org/contact-us) [Employment](https://www.covenantclassical.org/employment) [Parent Links](https://www.covenantclassical.org/parent-links) ###### **GET IN TOUCH** Covenant Classical School 3200 Patrick Henry Dr. Concord, NC 28027 [**Get Directions**](https://goo.gl/maps/2AStusf3v7G2) **Call Us:** [704.792.1854](tel:17047921854) **Email Us:** [info@covenantclassical.org](mailto:info@covenantclassical.org) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=2031083353842121&ev=PageView&noscript=1)