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