Phyllis & Grace
By (Author) Nigel Gray
Illustrated by Bethan Welby
Scallywag Press
Scallywag Press
7th April 2022
7th April 2022
United Kingdom
Children
Fiction
823.914
Hardback
32
Width 240mm, Height 275mm, Spine 9mm
Age range 3 to 9
The moving story of how a little girl befriends her elderly neighbour who has dementia.
Grace is a little girl; Phyllis is the old lady next door. Phyllis lives alone and her memory is fading, but that doesnt stop Grace from liking her. They find that, despite the gap in their ages, they have much in common and a moving and enduring friendship is born.
Teachers notes available here
'Young children visiting a relative with Alzheimers or memory loss will appreciate this sensitive and surprisingly uplifting story. Daily Mail;'The text is very sensitive, capturing all the warmth of the friendship while gently depicting the progression of Phyllis dementia. Bethan Welbys illustrations match it perfectly, so that we see Phyllis through Graces eyes, sometimes laughing, sometimes quiet, sometimes sad, but always a true friend. Its a book that will help children understand the realities of dementia and provide opportunities for discussion, but its also the story of two individuals and their relationship.' Books for Keeps;Together words and pictures beautifully document the progression of dementia and how it might appear, from a young childs viewpoint. A book for adults and children to share and discuss as gently as its presented by its creators. Red Reading Hub
Nigel Gray is the author of many much-loved and award-winning picture books; winner of the Prix Chronos, shortlisted for the Smarties Prize, German Book Award, Mother Goose Award, and much more. He lives in Australia. Bethan Welby lives in Devon, UK. A graduate of the MA in Childrens Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, her debut picture book THE AFTER CHRISTMAS TREE was longlisted for the Klaus Flugge Award.