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Weeds in Nana's Garden: A heartfelt story of love that helps explain Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. Paperback – Illustrated, January 28, 2016

by Kathryn Harrison (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 103 ratings
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A young girl and her Nana hold a special bond that blooms in the surroundings of Nana’s magical garden.Then one day, the girl finds many weeds in the garden. She soon discovers that her beloved Nana has Alzheimer’s Disease; an illness that affects an adult brain with tangles that get in the way of thoughts, kind of like how weeds get in the way of flowers.As time passes, the weeds grow thicker and her Nana declines, but the girl accepts the difficult changes with love, learning to take-over as the garden’s caregiver.Extending from the experience of caring for her mother, artist Kathryn Harrison has created this poignant children's story with rich illustrations to candidly explore dementia diseases, while demonstrating the power of love. It is a journey that will cultivate understanding and touch your heart.After the story, a useful Question and Answer section is included.$1 from the purchase of this book will be donated to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. The Alzheimer Society is Canada’s leading health charity for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 9 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - Preschool
  5. Dimensions
    8 x 0.08 x 10 inches
  6. Publication date
    January 28, 2016
  7. ISBN-10
    0994946708
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0994946706
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dementia is a growing issue for families, young and old. It is often difficult for parents to talk about the disease with young children, yet Kathryn has managed to do so in an insightful and thoughtful way. I have worked in the dementia field for close to 20 years and think this book is a great tool to begin the conversation and increase children's knowledge of how to cope with the disease." Marija Padjen, B.S.W., M.S.W., Recognized expert in dementia programming.

"A simply written and beautifully illustrated book that captures the unfolding transitions of an aging mind. Artwork with the story helps young readers to begin to develop a better understanding about Alzheimer's Disease, while opening room for more dialogue and discussion about it. This book brings the reader to recognize the more important, deeper emotional connections a child has for a grandparent or someone they love, regardless of where the mind may go. A must have book for every elementary school library or therapist's practice who work with children." S. Percival, M.A, LiveWell Counselling & Consulting.

5 stars! - Reviewed by Tiffany Davis for Readers' Favorite
"This story is very simple and sweet; it teaches children about dementia while also teaching them to help people. The illustrations within the story were beautiful, and bursting with color. It gave an actual feeling of being in a garden. It also gives very good detail on the progress of the garden, along with the increased need to assist Nana. At the end of the story, there were questions and answers to further educate the young reader about dementia and how it affects people differently. Great job by the author of this children's book; it was simple and easy to understand! I loved this story."

Highly Recommended - Reviewed by Chloe Humphreys for CM: Canadian Review of Materials.
"With a deft mix of candidness and compassion, Weeds in Nana's Garden, by Kathryn Harrison, tackles a difficult topic for many Canadian families: Alzheimer's disease and dementia. It tells the tender story of a young girl and her beloved Nana. Together, the inseparable pair spends hours tending Nana's lush garden by planting seeds in spring,picking flowers in summer, and raking leaves in fall. It is a truly magical place. Then, one summer day, the little girl notices that Nana's garden has become unkempt and choked by weeds. She is scared and confused, wondering why Nana has let her garden become so overgrown. In answer to her worried questions, the girl's mother gently explains that Nana has Alzheimer's disease. Moving forward, the family tenderly supports one another through Nana's developing illness, and they come to learn that love only grows stronger in the face of adversity.

Using the garden metaphor as a tool to illustrate the progression of dementia, this picturebook explains Alzheimer's disease to children in clear and sensitive terms. The book's young narrator asks questions of her mom that echo real-world concerns that many children have about a family member with dementia, guiding young readers through the delicate process of understanding brain disease. To further support families, the book also includes a helpful Q&A section that answers questions like: "Who gets dementia?" and "Is there any medicine to help?"

The writing is simple yet evocative as Harrison uses descriptive language to bring the girl's surroundings and emotions to life.Typographically, phrases are easy to read in black and white text while song lyrics lend visual interest by playfully scrolling across the page. Harrison's mixed-media illustrations showcase stunning vistas of Nana's garden that shift from brightly coloured to more subdued as Nana's dementia worsens. Children will enjoy looking for a cat and a group of fairies that appear on nearly every page. Characters have large eyes and wide mouths rendered in a slightly exaggerated style, emphasizing the many emotions they experience as a result of Nana's illness.

In light of its strengths, Weeds in Nana's Garden is an excellent resource to rely upon when discussing dementia with children, and it is a welcome addition to any library or classroom collection."

From the Author

EXPLAIN ALZHEIMER'S TO KIDS WITH THIS APPROACHABLE NEW BOOK

My kids were small when my mom was diagnosed with dementia. The poignant experience stirred me to create this book and a walk through my mom's beautiful garden with my daughter inspired the story. After the walk, my 6 year old daughter and I spoke about brain disease and she made the connection between how the growing weeds in the garden were like the disease growing in the brain. It seemed simple yet understandable ~ I had my idea for a picture book.

I hope you find Weeds in Nana's Garden to be a candid yet approachable exploration into Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. It honestly follows the typical stages of these brain illnesses and provides interesting, colourful images children can enjoy, while also celebrating the strength of the heart. I dedicated the book to my mom, Bonnie Harrison, but it honours all those who are afflicted with dementia and all those who never stop loving, even as it endures.

Please enjoy reading this loving story in the garden. And together, we can cultivate a better understanding of these dementia diseases, while also giving to the Alzheimer Society of Canada with every book purchased.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Flipturn Publishing; Illustrated edition (January 28, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0994946708
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0994946706
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 9 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - Preschool
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.99 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.08 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 103 ratings

About the author

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Kathryn Harrison

Kathryn Harrison

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As a child, art was my passion but I also enjoyed science. Being from a family of scientists and business professionals, I decided to put art on hold to gain a degree in Biology/Psychology and an MBA.

After graduation came a lengthy communications career in marketing and advertising until motherhood eventually drew me to pursue my more artistic calling. In 2007, I was led to art school and then went on to earn a Diploma in Fine Art.

Today I see myself as a storyteller, able to blend my diverse skills to not only author compelling stories, but to further enrich them through vivid paintings, design and illustration.

“Weeds in Nana’s Garden” marks the culmination of my lifelong pursuits, but it is also the end of a very personal journey.

In 2005 my mom was diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia. She was 62 years old. In the years following, my family and I learned firsthand about the heart-ache of the disease.

After my mother’s passing in 2010 I knew I had to do something to help – something to increase awareness and provide much needed support to families enduring the hardship that is dementia.

I set out to create an engaging children’s picture book that guides the reader through the typical stages of dementia. Wanting to do more still, I decided that a portion of the proceeds from the book would be donated to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, an organization that supported me greatly in my time of need. What’s more, to maximize my contribution I needed to self-publish and thus Flipturn Publishing was created. The name, Flipturn Publishing, is both a nod to my competitive swimming past and an acknowledgement of the need to turn and face a new direction, once dementia arrives.

I hope you find this book to be a candid yet approachable exploration into dementia diseases for families, and that you also recognize it as a celebration of the remarkable ways of the human heart. I dedicated the book to my mom, Bonnie Harrison, but it was created to honour all those who are afflicted with dementia and all those who never stop loving as it endures.

With heartfelt thanks,

Kathryn

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
103 global ratings
An Excellent Teaching Tool!
5 Stars
An Excellent Teaching Tool!
When a loved one is diagnosed with such a complicated disease, it can be especially hard on the little ones who have no way of grasping what is going on. This is certainly so when it comes to the symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia.In Kathryn Harrison's book, "Weeds in Nana's Garden" , she does an amazing job of illustrating the the effects of Alzheimer's on a loved one, in a way that anyone can truly understand.Through vivid and colorful illustrations (seriously, there is NO white space in this book. It's absolutely breathtaking.), she tells the story of a granddaughter realizing that beloved Nana is going through some serious changes."Weeds in Nana's Garden" is a real story of hope in the midst of a heartbreaking trial.I pray that you will never need such a resource, but if you're ever stuck trying to show or explain to your children why grandma doesn't recognize them, or why grandpa seems more forgetful than usual-this is a beautiful tool to use.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reens
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and heartfelt
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a really beautiful book. The illustrations are so gorgeous and breathtaking. The story is well written and touching. I like that it uses the garden to show the passing of time as well as how it changes due to Nana not remembering and tending to it. The relationship between Nana and the girl is very sweet and you can see how much Nana is loved and adored. It's sad that Nana had to go to a care facility but it is a reality for many families who are unable to take care of her. I would love to see them continue to visit Nana and bring her flowers or take her to the garden to see it again. It's really a beautiful story and one that can help readers of all ages understand dementia and Alzheimer's. There are also some questions and answers at the end about dementia and Alzheimer's.
2 people found this helpful
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Mama Bear Reads
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Teaching Tool!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
When a loved one is diagnosed with such a complicated disease, it can be especially hard on the little ones who have no way of grasping what is going on. This is certainly so when it comes to the symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia.
In Kathryn Harrison's book, "Weeds in Nana's Garden" , she does an amazing job of illustrating the the effects of Alzheimer's on a loved one, in a way that anyone can truly understand.

Through vivid and colorful illustrations (seriously, there is NO white space in this book. It's absolutely breathtaking.), she tells the story of a granddaughter realizing that beloved Nana is going through some serious changes.

"Weeds in Nana's Garden" is a real story of hope in the midst of a heartbreaking trial.

I pray that you will never need such a resource, but if you're ever stuck trying to show or explain to your children why grandma doesn't recognize them, or why grandpa seems more forgetful than usual-this is a beautiful tool to use.
Customer image
Mama Bear Reads
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Teaching Tool!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2016
When a loved one is diagnosed with such a complicated disease, it can be especially hard on the little ones who have no way of grasping what is going on. This is certainly so when it comes to the symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia.
In Kathryn Harrison's book, "Weeds in Nana's Garden" , she does an amazing job of illustrating the the effects of Alzheimer's on a loved one, in a way that anyone can truly understand.

Through vivid and colorful illustrations (seriously, there is NO white space in this book. It's absolutely breathtaking.), she tells the story of a granddaughter realizing that beloved Nana is going through some serious changes.

"Weeds in Nana's Garden" is a real story of hope in the midst of a heartbreaking trial.

I pray that you will never need such a resource, but if you're ever stuck trying to show or explain to your children why grandma doesn't recognize them, or why grandpa seems more forgetful than usual-this is a beautiful tool to use.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
3 people found this helpful
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Jonah C. Hall
4.0 out of 5 stars Great for people dealing with dementia
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2017
Weeds in Nana’s Garden is an important book for anyone close to someone with Alzeihmer’s disease. Explaining something like this terrible disease to children must be especially heart wrenching. This book does a very good job of explaining it in a way that is clear, effective & informative without trying to “protect” our kids from too much information.

Watching a parent or grandparent wither away into dementia is especially difficult for children. Elderly relatives are a window into a time past. A grandparent offers a child wisdom, knowledge, confidence and life lessons that children are drawn to. Dementia steals all of those things from the child before their eyes, slowly but mercilessly.

The confusion of dementia steals the one thing from the grandparent that can matter the most to the children: recognition. Unconditional love is something reserved for parents and grandparents. Fear that their grandparents won’t recognize them and thus shatter the core aspect of the relationship can be terrifying.

The illustrations are equally effective and do a nice job of elevating the story further. Kathryn Harrison is both writer and illustrator, helping to explain how the pictures and words seem to work so closely together. I love how the little girl ages throughout the book from approximately seven to eleven years old, a very important age span for growing enough to deal with this issue. You can see her build sophistication in her wardrobe, expressions and seaming strength in confronting what is happening to her Nana. I get the feeling this book was built largely on personal experience.

Color plays an important role here. The illustrations obviously took a long time and they were meticulously placed. I really like the detail of the little fairy creatures peppered throughout the book. They’re everywhere and they invite you to read the book a second time to just explore the pictures in more detail. Also the metaphor between the healthy garden and the neurological landscape is well crafted and presented. More color means a healthy brain. Maybe flowers are thoughts or memories and the garden is the mind. As it wilts we need to take over for Nanna and help her. There are a lot of ways to read into it and I think that’s intended.

Nanna is illustrated and written the way one would want to remember her; strong & pretty with gumption and skills. We watch her wither into a shadow of herself and the little girl is witness to it all. She starts out as a frightened bystander until she realizes she is part of the solution.

Well done and recommended.
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ShelleLP
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book to help explain dementia to a child
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
Alzheimer’s is such a sad disease and for children especially, it can be difficult to understand. In "Weeds in Nana’s Garden" a young girl’s favorite activity is helping her grandmother tend to her fabulous garden. One year the girl notices that weeds are taking over and she doesn’t understand why her grandmother would let this happen. Her mother has to explain that Nana is sick and her brain just doesn’t let remember things the way she used. The girl is able to draw an analogy of weeds taking over her Grandmother’s brain the way they have taken over the garden. As the years pass she shoulder’s more responsibility for the garden as her nana grows less able to care for herself. At the end of the book, there is a question guide for kids. The artwork in this book is especially lovely. The garden ebbs and flows with Nana’s condition but still leaves the reader with hope.
2 people found this helpful
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Lesley
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations and a beautiful story!
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
Beautiful illustrations and a beautiful story. Dementia and Alzheimer's disease is not an easy subject to explain to children and this author has done a fantastic job of bringing such a complicated concept to a level where a child can begin to understand what is going on when a loved one has dementia. I have taught 2-year-olds up through 2nd graders and I think, while still above the level of 2 year old, I think this could still be helpful to a family that needed to explain this concept to a child that young. Thank you for writing such a wonderful story, at this time I don't need it for me personally, but I am so glad it is out there for families who may need to explain dementia to their children.
3 people found this helpful
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Toni Cookston
3.0 out of 5 stars Alzheimer’s grandmother
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
Not what I needed
For explaining to a 8 year old needed more details
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Top reviews from other countries

michelle smith
5.0 out of 5 stars ... what a deep topic to handle and what a beautiful job the author has done in giving it a ...
Reviewed in Canada on March 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
Wow what a deep topic to handle and what a beautiful job the author has done in giving it a relatable context for kids and adults alike. I have not had anyone close to me with this particular issue and yet I found the book very informative and totally engaging to read. The analogy with the garden is such a beautiful and tender one and I truly felt the love between the granddaughter and grandmother in this tale. The art work is gorgeous with the rich colours and textures, and so uplifting which I felt also brought the whole topic to a place that felt very healing and hopeful. I think this book would be an excellent addition for our educational system and should find a place in every public school. The greatest gift that we can give to our children is knowledge so that they can deal with the challenges life brings and feel safe doing so. This book provided all of that and more! Just loved it.
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Amazo Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2016
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Fantastic!
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Kid friendly....but have your tissues ready.
Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2016
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Explains in a kid friendly way what happens to a person with Alzheimer's or Dementia.
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