A Child’s-Eye View of Dementia

by · May 31, 2026

© Suzi Lewis-Barned and Sophie Elliot

I think this is an important story – but I’d better declare an interest at the outset.
A long time ago, I gave a young woman called Suzi Lewis-Barned literally her first break in newspaper  journalism: I commissioned her to do an interview with Lord Of The Flies author and Nobel laureate William Golding – when she was just 20. It was her first published piece and it was excellent.
Many years later, I am supposed to be retired and she is now a mum with grown-up children – and she has had a successful career as a journalist and children’s author.
Her latest book, Granny Forgets, is a genuinely heartwarming illustrated story giving a child’s-eye view of what it’s like to have a grandmother with dementia.

Both Suzi and her illustrator, Sophie Elliot, have personal experience of dementia in a close relative, Suzi losing her father to it.

She says of the book: “It’s a child’s perspective of their funny, lovely Granny who, despite not remembering everything, still knows what’s important in life – including showing her grandchildren she loves them. Sophie’s illustrations perfectly reflect this journey from darkness to light, highlighting the positivity that can be found – even when things seem challenging.”

The words and illustrations are thoughtful and beautiful. The book is a brilliantly direct take on a difficult subject for adults – let alone children – and looks bound to have a positive impact on readers of all ages.

The Alzheimer’s Society is supporting the book, and Suzi is donating a proportion of profits to its Forget Me Not appeal.

More information: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=granny+forgets+by+suzi+lewis+barned&crid=35AEOHO4DIWE3&sprefix=granny+forget%2Caps%2C115&ref=nb_sb_ss_mvt-t11-ranker_2_13

More of our articles on dementia.

© Suzi Lewis-Barned and Sophie Elliot

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Nigel Summerley

Nigel Summerley retired from The Oldie magazine to return to freelance journalism. He previously held executive staff jobs at the London Evening Standard, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Express before freelancing for 20 years for newspapers including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Guardian and the ‘i’ paper, plus a wide range of magazines. He continues to write about music, travel and health, to freelance for the Financial Times and The Oldie magazine, and to edit selected books. He blogs at www.nigel-summerley.blogspot.com.

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