'Come Grandpa Meow, Let’s Fly' is a guide for children navigating dementia, author says

The holidays are often a mixed bag of emotions, from excitement to loneliness and grief. For families with loved ones living with Alzheimer's disease, it can be all of those things, plus confusion and fear if young children are involved.

The author of a new children's book aims to explain this condition to young people and their parents.

The book by Carol Steinberg is called “Come Grandpa Meow, Let’s Fly.” It tells the story of a girl who learns that her "Grandpa Meow" has Alzheimer’s disease. Steinberg first wrote a draft 30 years ago.

"I was grieving my father's passing and it just literally poured out of me. And over the years I kept revisiting it, she explains.

Steinberg wanted the book to serve as a guide for families navigating dementia.

"I felt it was just so important to get the word out there in a very realistic way so that children wouldn't be as confused about what they see in their loved one; they wouldn't be so upset about what they see in their loved one."

And it can be even more difficult if a child doesn't visit that relative on a regular basis.

"If someone knows in advance that there are going to be changes in the loved one, I think a slow conversation with a child would be beneficial, sort of prepare them for what's going on. And then perhaps come up with some intergenerational activities," Steinberg said, like gardening, music or just reminiscing.

Steinberg says her hope is that the book fosters engagement between children and the person living with dementia.