Really and Truly is one of those books that parents hope they will never need, but it’s a must-have for any family dealing with a loved one suffering from dementia.

Quebec author Émilie Rivard tells the tale of Charlie and his beloved Grandpa, who entertains him with stories of witches, pirates, and gnomes. Young Charlie loves his grandfather, and is puzzled and frustrated when their special relationship begins to change. Grandpa’s memories and personality are slipping away; sometimes he can’t remember who Charlie is, let alone the fabulous tales they once shared. Their roles reverse and Charlie takes on the storytelling job, using his imagination to charm and entertain with his own wild tales, and finding a way to connect with this new version of his grandfather.

Imaginary and real worlds meet in the cartoonish illustrations from Anne-Claire Delisle. Charlie and Grandpa’s stories come to life as a parade of black-and-white line drawings over vibrant and colourful backgrounds. The depiction of Grandpa is especially touching, as his character evolves from being engaged and lively to increasingly confused and withdrawn.

Really and Truly will leave adult readers teary, but will be especially poignant, relevant, and helpful for parents struggling to put dementia into terms that younger children can understand.