In GG Forgot My Name by Cynthia Hughes, four-year-old Everly’s dear great-grandma, GG, is not like how she used to be anymore. GG is sadder and has trouble remembering things. She used to be really happy. But now she doesn’t call Everly, her siblings, and all of her cousins by their names anymore. Instead, she calls Everly “Missy” or “Sissy.” Everly and her cousins try to remember all the things that used to make GG happy, and they get to work spending time with GG, singing, reading, and playing outside with her. Even though GG has some trouble remembering them, Everly, her siblings, and cousins all know that GG loves them a lot and is happy when they see her and spend time with her. When GG passes away, Everly and her cousin Charlie receive a special gift from their grandma that makes them feel happy when they are remembering GG.

Cynthia Hughes has written an excellent book that is relatable to small children who have a dear friend or family member with Alzheimer’s. This book provides adjusting and coping methods for this kind of circumstance. It can be really sad when someone with Alzheimer’s doesn’t remember your name or even you, but it doesn’t mean that there cannot be happiness in a less than ideal situation. GG Forgot My Name is a great book and adjustment tool for young children, but it has good advice for adults, too. Cynthia Hughes shows that people with Alzheimer’s need love and support from their friends and families, and that they can still return that love, too.

Everly has a fun family with two siblings and many cousins. Her great-grandmother, whom they lovingly called GG, adored them. She used to play songs for them on the piano and read them stories. They spent many happy moments together until the day GG started forgetting things. She could not remember the once-familiar songs, nor could she recall the words of the stories. Everly and her cousins noticed GG’s unhappiness with the changes brought on by Alzheimer’s. Why wouldn’t GG call Everly by her name anymore? Could the cousins do something to restore their fun-filled moments? To find out, you must read GG Forgot My Name, a children’s book written by Cynthia Hughes and illustrated by Chris B. Dudley.

Having an elderly family member in the clutches of Alzheimer’s takes a severe toll on the caregivers, close relatives, and especially children. Unable to comprehend the implications of the disease, they might feel confused, even depressed. Cynthia Hughes explains Alzheimer’s disease and the associated behavioral changes in simple terms that children can easily grasp. I admire how the book encourages young readers to make life easier for the patient. It also teaches children to cope with the extreme grief resulting from the loss of a family member. I love how Hughes discusses complicated emotions with apparent ease and shows us how to cherish our loved ones forever. Chris B. Dudley’s superb illustrations accompanying the text make the story come alive. GG Forgot My Name is a great resource for learning about dementia in a child-friendly manner and thus is a must-read for children aged 4 to 8 years.