Parkinson’s UK asked me to review a set of four little books for children. I cannot class myself as a ‘book reviewer’ apart from a few thoughts on Goodreads
and occasionally on Amazon, but I was very pleased to do this.
These beautifully illustrated and written books are designed to help explain to a young child what Parkinson’s is all about, if their Mum, Dad, Gran or Grandad has it.
here
My
Dad has Parkinson’s - by Virginia Ironside
- the same format is followed for Mum, Gran and Grandad
written by Virginia Ironside and illustrated by Matthew Dodd
written by Virginia Ironside and illustrated by Matthew Dodd
These beautifully illustrated and written books are designed to help explain to a young child what Parkinson’s is all about, if their Mum, Dad, Gran or Grandad has it.
Using
everyday situations to which a child can easily relate, they are matter-of-fact
and pitched perfectly for the 3 – 7 age bracket. However, some adults could
also pick up insights and tips they may have missed.
It cannot be
overstated why these little books are so very important and why they can make
such a difference. Many adjectives are used to describe Parkinson’s but words
that often come up to convey how someone feels are, ‘lonely’, ‘isolated’ and ‘excluded’.
The really good news is that something can be done about that!
Friends and family
members can overcome embarrassment, or even fear, if they understand, enabling
them to empathise and give appropriate support. Likewise, it goes without
saying that young children play a vital, emotional role in family life and for
them to keep a warm and loving relationship with their parents and grandparents
is a key ingredient for happiness, on all sides.
These books may
bridge barriers, pre-empt misunderstandings
and reassure, written and illustrated to enable a child to learn about what may
be happening to their Mum, Dad, Gran or Grandad. Children are then more likely
to observe and take an active interest, too.
Beautifully
put together and deceptively simple. Easy to read, but maybe not so easy to
write, to get it just right! Job done!
They are free to download as a pdf from Parkinson's UK and to order
as books
The society
approached me, firstly because I once worked for it, in the community
supporting people with Parkinson’s and their carers, and secondly, because there
is a key character in Shades of Appley Green who has the condition.
‘In helping a once famous, elderly architect
with Parkinson’s regain a social life, Steph finds herself taking personal
risks, fending off objections, blind to danger. We wait for the moment when it
dawns on Steph what is driving her deep-seated obsession; for only then can
she find the happiness she deserves.’
Review in The Parkinson magazine
Shades of Appley Green, an English village novel is available from Amazon as paperback and on Kindle
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