Some stories are meant to entertain. Others are meant to heal, to comfort, and to help us make sense of life’s hardest truths. For Those I Knew and Loved Before is one such story.
Written by RJ Scarelli, edited with care by Richard Moore, and beautifully illustrated by Nick D’Avolio, this heartfelt children’s book opens an honest yet gentle conversation about Alzheimer’s and Dementia — topics that affect millions of families across the world but are often too heavy to explain to children. The story follows Cindy, a young girl with a close bond with her grandmother. One day, her grandmother makes an unexpected visit and, alongside Cindy’s mother, shares heartbreaking news: she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Through simple words and tender illustrations, Cindy learns what this diagnosis means. She asks the questions every child might wonder — How does her grandmother feel? Can she be helped? What can Cindy and her mother do to prepare? Each answer guides Cindy, and young readers alongside her, through the realities of memory loss with honesty, love, and hope.
What sets this book apart is the balance it strikes — it doesn’t shy away from the truth, but it also doesn’t overwhelm. Instead, it provides families with a way to discuss Alzheimer’s with children, helping them process emotions, feel included, and understand that while memory fades, the love between family never disappears.
For Those I Knew and Loved Before is more than just a story — it’s a coping mechanism, a gentle guide, and a reminder of resilience and love. Families who read it together will find not only comfort, but also the courage to start important conversations.
📖 Available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
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