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Quick answer: The best children’s books about grandparents with dementia explain memory loss in gentle, honest words and show kids how to keep loving and connecting with a grandparent who is changing. Top picks include Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, The Remember Balloons, Grandpa Green, What’s Happening to Grandpa?, Still My Grandma and Weeds in Nana’s Garden.
It’s confusing and painful for a child when Grandma forgets their name or Grandpa asks the same question again and again. Kids may feel hurt, scared or even embarrassed, and they may worry that they did something wrong. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect millions of families, so many children face this experience. Books give parents gentle language to explain what’s happening in a grandparent’s brain. They also show kids that love doesn’t disappear when memories fade and that there are still many ways to connect. Here are 15 books we trust to help children understand and cope.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge | Mem Fox | 4–8 | What memories are |
| The Remember Balloons | Jessie Oliveros | 4–8 | Explaining memory loss |
| Still My Grandma | Véronique Van den Abeele | 4–8 | Staying close |
| Weeds in Nana’s Garden | Kathryn Harrison | 4–9 | Garden metaphor |
| The Memory Box | Mary Bahr | 5–9 | Saving memories |
| Grandma and Me | Beatrice Tauber Prior | 3–8 | Practical guide |
| What’s Happening to Grandpa? | Maria Shriver | 6–10 | Older kids |
| Remember Me? | Sue Glass | 4–8 | A child’s view |
| Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? | Max Wallack and Carolyn Given | 5–10 | Humor and facts |
| Grandpa Green | Lane Smith | 4–8 | Celebrating a life |
| Singing with Momma Lou | Linda Jacobs Altman | 5–9 | Connecting through music |
| Really and Truly | Émilie Rivard | 4–8 | Role reversal |
| Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants | Barbara Schnurbush | 4–8 | Changes in behavior |
| Grandpa Doesn’t Know It’s Me | Donna Guthrie | 4–8 | When names are forgotten |
| Forget Me Not | Nancy Van Laan | 5–9 | Moving to memory care |
1. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
Young Wilfrid lives next door to a nursing home and learns that his favorite resident, Miss Nancy, has lost her memory. He gathers objects that bring back her memories: something warm, something old and something that makes you laugh. It’s a beloved classic.
2. The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros
James’s grandpa has the best balloons, each filled with a memory. As Grandpa’s balloons float away one by one, James realizes he can hold the memories for him. This beautiful metaphor makes dementia understandable for young children.
3. Still My Grandma by Véronique Van den Abeele
Camille and her grandma used to bake and play together. Now Grandma lives in a care home and sometimes acts strangely. Camille learns that even though Grandma has changed, she’s still her grandma and they can still share happy moments.
4. Weeds in Nana’s Garden by Kathryn Harrison
A girl loves spending time in her Nana’s magical garden. When Nana is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she explains the disease as weeds tangling in her brain. Vibrant illustrations make a hard subject gentle and hopeful.
5. The Memory Box by Mary Bahr
When Gramps learns he has Alzheimer’s, he and his grandson Zach start a memory box filled with stories and treasures from their summers together. It shows kids a meaningful, hands-on way to hold on to family memories.
6. Grandma and Me by Beatrice Tauber Prior
Written by a psychologist, this guide explains dementia to kids and offers simple activities they can do with a grandparent, like looking at photos, listening to music or going for walks. It empowers children to help.
7. What’s Happening to Grandpa? by Maria Shriver
Kate notices her grandpa repeating stories and forgetting things. Her mother explains Alzheimer’s, and Kate decides to make a photo album of Grandpa’s memories. Written by Maria Shriver, whose father had Alzheimer’s, it’s ideal for school-age kids.
8. Remember Me? by Sue Glass
A child describes how Grandma has changed because of Alzheimer’s and how the family adjusts. Told entirely from a child’s point of view, it validates kids’ confusion and sadness while focusing on love.
9. Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? by Max Wallack and Carolyn Given
Written by a young man who helped care for his great-grandmother, this book answers kids’ questions about strange behaviors with honesty and gentle humor. It explains what’s happening in the brain and how kids can help.
10. Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
A boy walks through his great-grandfather’s garden, where topiaries tell the story of Grandpa’s long life. Grandpa is starting to forget, but the garden remembers. This Caldecott Honor book is a gentle celebration of memory and legacy.
11. Singing with Momma Lou by Linda Jacobs Altman
Tamika’s grandmother doesn’t recognize her anymore. Tamika brings photos, scrapbooks and songs from Momma Lou’s past, and music helps her grandmother connect again. It shows kids the power of music and memories.
12. Really and Truly by Émilie Rivard
Charlie’s grandpa used to tell him amazing stories about goblins and pirates. Now that Grandpa has Alzheimer’s, Charlie becomes the storyteller. This tender role reversal shows kids how they can give back to a grandparent.
13. Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants by Barbara Schnurbush
Libby’s grandma has started wearing mismatched clothes and getting confused. Her parents explain Alzheimer’s, and Libby learns how to accept the changes and still enjoy time together. A note for parents adds helpful advice.
14. Grandpa Doesn’t Know It’s Me by Donna Guthrie
Elizabeth and her grandpa were always close, but now his Alzheimer’s means he sometimes doesn’t recognize her. Her family helps her understand the disease and find ways to stay connected. It’s honest and reassuring.
15. Forget Me Not by Nancy Van Laan
Julia loves her grandma, but as Grandma’s memory fades, Julia feels embarrassed and frustrated. When Grandma moves to a memory care home, Julia learns how to love her as she is now. It’s especially helpful for families facing that transition.
Tips for Helping Kids When a Grandparent Has Dementia
- Name the illness. Explain that dementia is a disease that affects the brain and memory.
- Reassure them. It’s not their fault, it’s not contagious and Grandma still loves them.
- Prepare for visits. Tell kids what to expect and keep visits short.
- Find new ways to connect. Music, photos, simple crafts and holding hands still work.
- Accept all feelings. Sadness, frustration and embarrassment are normal.
- Use support resources. The Alzheimer’s Association offers free materials for families with kids.
Related: children’s books about the death of a grandparent and children’s books about cancer in the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good book to explain dementia to a child?
The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros and Weeds in Nana’s Garden by Kathryn Harrison explain memory loss with gentle metaphors for ages 4 to 9.
How do I explain Alzheimer’s to a young child?
Say that Grandpa has an illness in his brain that makes it hard to remember things, that it isn’t anyone’s fault and that he still loves them. Picture books make the conversation easier.
How can kids connect with a grandparent who has dementia?
Looking at photos, singing familiar songs, simple crafts and quiet time together all help. Grandma and Me by Beatrice Tauber Prior offers many activity ideas.