This is such a heartwarming story about a young girl Kiera’s special relationship with her Grandmother, and the adjustments she makes to the changes she sees in her Grandma as Alzheimer’s Disease sets in.
I found the book’s portrayal of Alzheimer’s Disease to be very realistic and true to my own experiences with my Gran. This is such a sad disease to contend with, and there isn’t really a “solution.” Yet A Doll For Grandma presents a beautiful picture of how a child’s relationship with their grandparent can evolve and their love can grow even as memories fade. I loved how Kiera’s response in the book is so childlike in its simplicity, honesty, and emotion. And Kiera’s mother gives her wonderfully simple explanations of what is happening that will help children reading the book to understand their own Grandparents’ transitions. The illustrations are also sweet and relatable, with the characters’ emotions so evident in their actions and expressions.
This book doesn’t skip over the hard bits, yet it finds a hopeful and heart-warming resolution. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a loved one dealing with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
*I was given a free PDF copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rachel Funez Writes 