Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer's & Dementia

After his beloved grandpa's health declines and he receives a diagnosis of dementia, a grandson must navigate the changes in their relationship. Through it all, he learns that Grandpa is still Grandpa, and their bond deepens and sweetens through a shared love of ice cream.

Ice Cream with Grandpa is a loving, tender picture book that gently explores the topics of dementia, aging, and loss. Written from a child's point of view, it chronicles the changes in their relationship as his grandpa moves to assisted living, then memory care, and eventually hospice.

Based on the author's own experience with her father and son, the touching story and beautiful illustrations by Elisabete B. P. de Moraes addresses these challenging topics with a kind, age-appropriate approach that will resonate with young readers-while providing tools to help children maintain meaningful relationships with loved ones with the disease.

Includes a guide for parents on talking to kids about dementia, hospice, death, and grief by expert on grief and loss, Diane Snyder Cowan, MA, MT-BC, CHPCA.

While the book specifically deals with Alzheimer's and dementia, its themes are universally applicable to helping children understand the changes in and loss of older relatives and loved ones.

Praise for Ice Cream with Grandpa:

Northern Lights Book Awards 2022 Winner - Health Category

Maxy Award 2022 Children's Book Runner-Up

"A moving, effective resource for conversations in the face of dementia and loss." -Kirkus Reviews

"Smetana pulls from personal experience, as detailed in an author's note, to deliver an approachable and realistic story brimming with well-researched, audience-conscious insight." -Publisher's Weekly

Author: Laura Smetana
Publisher: Flying Cardinal Press
Published: 06/01/2022
Pages: 44
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.97lbs
Size: 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.25d
ISBN: 9781737140924
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/05/2022

About the Author
Smetana, Laura: - Laura Smetana has fond memories of enjoying ice cream with her son and his grandpa, Laura's dad. Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer's & Dementia was inspired by their relationship, before and after her dad developed Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. She has three generations of ice cream scoopers in her home-one from her grandpa, one from her dad, and one she got with her family in France. Each one brings back sweet memories with loved ones. Laura co-authored her debut children's book, Little Squiggle's Lake Adventure, with her son, Stirling Hebda. She lives with her family in the Chicago suburbs, where she is happily at work on several new books for kids. You can visit her at www.laurasmetana.com.B. P. de Moraes, Elisabete: - Elisabete B. P. de Moraes loves to laugh. When she was a child, she looked forward to weekends when her grandfather came to visit and brought lots of candies. When she isn't illustrating picture books, you can find her streaming her favorite shows or sitting around the kitchen table with her family and friends, talking, laughing, and enjoying ice cream. Her favorite flavors are strawberry and salted caramel. Elisabete lives in Brazil with her husband, daughter, and their neighbor's cat, Cookie, who is always sneaking into their home. Soon they will have their own pet-they're just waiting for their daughter to decide between a dog, cat, swimming cow, or llama.

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