Ice Cream with Grandpa

Ice cream acts as an anchor between a child and grandparent in this tender tale about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and growing older. In opening pages, an unnamed youth, depicted with blond hair and pale skin, regales the reader with memories of Grandpa teaching them about different ice cream flavors. In subsequent spreads, the duo garden and spend long days at the park. As the child matures, so too does Grandpa, who undergoes various surgeries and moves to a memory care facility; all the while, the narrator grapples with the complex emotions that can come with visiting a loved one with dementia. Throughout changes to Grandpa’s living situations and health, the pair indulge in their favorite pastime: ice cream. Moraes’s illustrations, rendered with warm washes of digital watercolor, exude gentleness and comfort, and the portrayal of the characters’ aging process and Grandpa’s health decline are thoughtfully handled. Smetana pulls from personal experience, as detailed in an author’s note, to deliver an approachable and realistic story brimming with well-researched, audience-conscious insight. A caregivers’ guide and resources surrounding dementia and grief conclude. Ages 5–10. (Self-published)