Wigan author prepares for live launch of children's dementia book

A new children’s book which will teach youngsters to learn about dementia will be launched this evening with an online live reading.

Alex Winstanley hopes to make the complicated disease, and the distressing emotions that come with it, easier to understand with his colourfully illustrated book, My Grandma Had Dementia, which is being published following a successful fund-raising initiative to pay for a print run.

Alex will hold a live reading session to mark the official release of the book online at 6pmtonight.

As the title suggests, Alex has drawn from his own family’s experiences, to create an accessible way for children to learn about the disease and how to understand their own emotions when a family member is suffering.

“I was inspired to write the book by my legend of a grandma, Mary,” said Alex, who co-founded Wigan based disabilities group Happy Smiles CIC.

“When she was diagnosed with Mixed Dementia over 10 years ago, our family weren’t sure what life would look like for her. It’s been a journey of ups and downs ever since, and we have learnt a lot along the way!”

“So I want to share my grandma’s story, to educate children and young people about the impact that Dementia and Alzheimer’s can have on an individual and their family.”

Sadly, Mary died shortly before Christmas, but was still able to see her impact when Alex first announced the book in November.

Alex said: “It is recognised that there is a crisis in children and young people’s mental health care.

“When a close family member or friend develops dementia, each member of the family may be trying to cope with their own feelings.

“Adults may be upset, tired or stressed – or simply not at home as much. All of these changes can make a child or young person feel anxious.”

Alex hopes that this could spark a series of books, and has already started to write about other conditions.

Alex went on: “I have already started a series about other conditions to follow on from this book.”

For more details about the live reading, click here.

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