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| Children’s book author Sue Lloyd-Davies, who cared for her mother through dementia, reminds us that there are 1.4 million US children between the ages of 8 and 18 who quietly act as caregivers to a family member in need, including older relatives affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia. Yet far too often, these children go unrecognized and are lost in the conversation about caregiving.In her new middle grade novel, Pinkie’s Turnabout — which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly — Sue gives an up-close look at the daily life of an 11-year-old girl who helps care for her great-grandmother, GG. Through Pinkie, she reminds us that many children are caregivers, too — and deserve recognition and support.Sue offers these insights and quick quotes on what caregiving roles look like for children — as reflected in the book:“Child caregivers are largely invisible, lost in the national conversation about caregiving.”“For children, caregiving is about more than hands-on help with daily routines. It’s emotional. They learn how to nurture a loved one who is confused or angry or afraid, often managing someone else’s fear while suppressing their own.”“Many young caregivers become constant watchers, quietly staying alert so someone else doesn’t get hurt. That unspoken vigilance is caregiving, even if no one calls it that.” “Children instinctively know that everyday routine is care. Familiar games and rituals help ground a loved one when memory fades — and teach children patience far beyond their years.”She also offers these quotes about how to support them: “Support starts with recognition. Many children are caregivers long before anyone truly sees what they do.” “Children don’t have coping skills for conditions such as dementia. They need help understanding why someone they love has changed — and reassurance that it isn’t their fault.” “Emotional caregiving deserves acknowledgment. Adapting to keep an adult calm or safe isn’t “just helping” — it’s real care.” “Stories about families dealing with dementia can support children in subtle ways. When young caregivers see their own experiences reflected through a relatable character, they feel less alone.”Sue is available for quick interviews, commentary, or guest article submissions.Her bio is below, along with a description of Pinkie’s Turnabout. Let me know if you’d like to be in touch or see a copy of the book.Best,Camile Sardina** About the Author Sue Lloyd-Davies is the author of the middle-grade novel Pinkie’s Turnabout. She lives and writes in an old cottage in quirky Gulfport, Florida, where fuzzy cat, Arlo, loafs beside her keyboard and occasionally types an extra space or two into her stories. Caring for her mother, whose life — filled with friends, quilting and church — drifted into dementia and inspired her novel about Pinkie.When she’s not writing, Sue can be found under the oaks handing out hazelnuts to rescue squirrel Owen or careening around the community center in a line dance. Visit her at Suelloyddavies.com.About Pinkie’s Turnabout(A Starred Publishers Weekly Pick) Eleven-year-old Pinkie Starlight is having a not-great summer. Her best friend is off at camp, and Pinkie is home helping care for her great-grandmother, GG, whose dementia means some days are sharp and funny and others are confusing, repetitive, and heartbreaking. GG sometimes forgets how to work the remote — and sometimes forgets who, exactly, Pinkie is. Then a snarky black cat named Jack slips uninvited into the house — and into their lives. Jack seems to bring out the best in GG, and it doesn’t take long for Pinkie to realize he’s no ordinary cat. Jack has mysterious memories tied to GG’s past, a few surprising abilities, and secrets that force Pinkie to confront long-buried truths about her family. If she can raise the money to adopt him, maybe she can keep both Jack and the fragile sense of balance he brings from slipping away. But Pinkie’s plans unravel when Leo Lynch — the bully she hoped to leave behind at school — reappears where she least expects him. As Pinkie struggles with fear, resentment, and the temptation to judge before understanding, she begins to see how cruelty can be passed down and how being hurt can lead to hurting others. Heartfelt, funny, and emotionally honest, Pinkie’s Turnabout is a middle-grade novel that tackles big themes with honesty and grace: what it means to love someone with dementia, understanding how cruelty gets passed along, and learning that real courage often begins with owning your mistakes.1 https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/columns/million-child-caregivers-united-states/ |
