[alan-jordan Posts: 952 Status: Offline Writing that Entertains and Empowers]

Does anyone have any experience that they'd like to share about writing a picture book for an adult, such as adults who have Alzheimers and who recognize pictures and characters from their youth much more easily than current photographs, etc.

[Vijaya Posts: 7,163 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Alan, I think this is a great idea. I've made homemade PBs for my kids and in-laws (with photos) and nobody has dementia yet but I can see how meaningful it would be for them. I have a couple of lovely photographic PBs for adults (moms, dads, everybody really) on topics such as nature, parenting and they are fun to look through.

[alan-jordan Posts: 952 Status: Offline Writing that Entertains and Empowers]

Vijaya,

Thank you.

I had a family member, now deceased, who suffered from dementia.  I have some ideas, but I feel as though this might be a series of books that would be best co-authored by a male and female. That's not a sexist comment, it's just that there are different male and female perspectives during all phases of life.  (Mars vs Venus).  If you'd like to explore potential synergism, please PM me through SCBWI.

Cheers,
Alan

[Vijaya Posts: 7,163 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Alan, my cup doth runneth over now ... with mostly kidlit. Maybe my kids will make a PB for me when I'm old and can only remember how to sing the Ave.

[alan-jordan Posts: 952 Status: Offline Writing that Entertains and Empowers]

Sounds good. Savor the nectar.

[Arona Posts: 449 Status: Offline The house didn't fall on me. It fell on my sister.]

Just wanted to chime in and say I that once assembled a book (life book? memory book? happy book?) with actual photos and accompanying text--some of which was humorous based on the photo where other text simply noted the names and/or places/etc.

It reached a chord. (One of her sons, good-naturedly, looked at me and said, "Great. You made my mother cry." They were happy tears.)

But you're talking about a traditionally pubbed book, in PB format, that is generic???

I have a friend who has decades of experience in working with Alzheimer's patients, including training facility personnel to work with them--even training prisoners to care for other prisoners with the disease. Would you like me to get her thoughts on this?

[alan-jordan Posts: 952 Status: Offline Writing that Entertains and Empowers]

I'm not sure. Probably, but there are other options. I don't see it being a traditional PB because photographs might be important. Also, it's possible that it could be a customizable book with some pictures of a resident integrated with standard content.  I'd love to speak with your friend. 

[Arona Posts: 449 Status: Offline The house didn't fall on me. It fell on my sister.]

I'll reach out to her. Further communication on this will be through PMs.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,000 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

I think it would have to be a customizable book, but I'm no expert on the topic.

Otherwise, many coffee table book are picture books for adults if you think about it.

Arona, how sweet of you.