Told only through pictures, this story is sincere and touching in its message of unconditional love. Despite her struggles, Grandma is treated consistently with kindness and respect, with her daughter and granddaughter assisting her as needed. This offers children a helpful example of how to treat their own elderly relatives. The absence of words will also allow kids to tell the story themselves and discuss what is happening with an adult who can help them fully understand scenes that, while upsetting, have become an increasingly common part of growing up. Still, the mother in the story does explain, with warmth, the hard truth of the grandmother’s diagnosis: that no medicine can cure the disease, and that her condition will get worse.

Amy Bunnell Jones’s vibrant and distinctive images are more than up to the task of carrying this relatable story. Set in the colorful tropical climate of Jamaica, the pictures show Grandma enjoying nature, eating meals with her family, and connecting deeply with those around her. The characters’ emotions are clearly visible on their faces, whether Grandma is grinning broadly while hugging her dog or the little girl is grappling with tinges of sadness over her grandmother’s illness. Overall this book shows the power of love and patience in navigating challenging circumstances.

Takeaway: A little girl grapples with her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Comparable Titles: Kathryn Harrison’s Weeds in Nana’s Garden, J Elizabeth’s Will Grandma Remember Me?

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A