Why Can't Grandma Bluebird Remember Me: A Story of Dementia and Loss

When it comes to grandparent memory loss and grief, it's challenging to help childrenunderstand the concepts. Grandma Bluebirdallows parents-and kids-to process how dementia affectsa family.

Meet Gracie, a young and spirited bluebird, who is excited to return to the same large tree she and her family have migrated to for many seasons. It's early spring, and everything in the world feels fresh, new, and bright.

When Gracie arrives with her family, they all settle into their nests. Grandma Bluebird, however, can't find hers... despite it being where it always has been.

As spring comes into full bloom, Gracie spends more time with Grandma Bluebird and realizes that she's struggling to remember many things. She turns to her parents for an explanation.

"She has dementia," they informed. "It means she will probably forget more and more things. But Grandma will always be Grandma."

To help her grandma remember and keep an eye out for when she needs help, Gracie suggests the family move their nest closer to Grandma Bluebird.

The seasons change, and Gracie spends more time with Grandma Bluebird, helping where she can and enjoying every moment. Before the family's migration, though, Gracie will have to face a hard truth.

Why Can't Grandma BluebirdRemember Me? is a heart-warming and relatable children's book for toddlers through 10-year-olds about how dementia affects their grandparents and what changes that might bring about for their families. It's inspired by and written as a tribute to Grace DeMonte, who gave all her unselfish love to her seven children, sixteen grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren.