Grandma Bibi - Paperback

by Vicki Riske (Author), Laura Best (Illustrator)

Grandma Bibi is a children's picture book about shared memories and love. The book tackles the difficulties of memory loss in older loved ones from the perspective of children. Memory loss in older adults is a family issue. Grandma Bibi opens a dialogue for families to discuss what is happening to grandma or grandpa. This book is based on the author's experience with her own Mother's memory loss.

"What do I say when grandma doesn't remember me?" asked Jackie. "If grandma does not remember me, why should I go and visit her?" These are all important questions that need to be addressed. The book asks questions and then provides an example of how Jackie might relate to her grandmother's memory loss. Each one of us needs love and understanding no matter where our memory has gone. Grandma Bibi is an emotional journey for Jackie Rabbit and the reader who has experienced this issue first hand. Grandma Bibi uses fictional characters to create a common family situation. The Rabbit family has a meaningful discussion about why Grandma needs extra care and why she does not remember family members anymore.

Grandma Bibi has been recommended for children whose grandparents are experiencing memory loss, as well as adults whose parents are dealing with memory loss.

Vicki Riske writes and illustrates children's books. Her first book The Polka Dot Tea Party, published in 2019, is about finding shapes in nature and the importance of friendship. Vicki's second book, Grandma Bibi, tackles the difficulties of memory loss in older loved ones from the perspective of children. She is currently working on her third book, My Teeth Are Too Big, which will be published in the Fall of 2020.

Illustrator, Laura Best is an artist living and working in Phoenix, Arizona. She recently received a Contemporary Forum Artist Grant and a Pollock-Krasner grant and has appeared on Arizona Horizon Art Beat. She has completed several public murals including a new, temporary art piece on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. "Rise," is a unique public art piece showcasing decommissioned City of Tempe street signs that depict the sky transitioning from sunrise to sunset.