Jill Pietroburgo
Children's Book Author
Sometimes Grandma Calls Me Jean
How would you introduce the topic of dementia to a young child? Sometimes Grandma Calls Me Jean can help families facing this issue who have children in the age range of 3-8 years old. The story portrays a relationship between a young girl, Grace, and her grandmother, who has dementia. Each thoughtful illustration represents the passing of time and the changes that dementia brings. Despite dementia’s effects, Grace continues to demonstrate simple, but valuable, ways to interact with her grandmother and play an important role on her care team.
Supporting Children
At the end of the story, twenty detailed tips are provided to help parents/caregivers support children who have loved ones with dementia. These tips include:
-
Questions to ask that will encourage interaction with the story
-
Ways to build empathy for a loved one with dementia
-
How to talk with a child about his/her feelings
-
Activities to facilitate positive interactions between children and loved ones with dementia
-
Suggested Bible verses to memorize as sources of comfort
-
Valuable reminders for the parent/caregiver
The book also includes a “How Am I Feeling?” chart for children who may need visual support to express their emotions. Real pictures of Grandma Bonnie are also provided on the pages called “Grandma’s Photo Album.”
Honoring our Loved Ones
As the generations of families age, parents find themselves pulled toward the differing needs of their children and their elders. Parents in this stage of life are known as the “sandwich generation.” During this stage, parents model for their children how to care for loved ones dealing with the challenges of aging, including dementia. The actions of parents will exemplify attitudes of spite or grace, frustration or mercy, and suffering or hope. May the purchase of this book move both adults and children toward positive choices that honor our aging loved ones.
Donation
10% of the profits from this book provides assistance to others who have loved ones with dementia.
Meet Miss Bonnie
The song "See Me Beautiful"
is used by permission
by Red Grammer
Interviews and Podcasts
Seasons of Caring Podcast
Upcoming Events
Please join me at any of the following events if I am in your area.
September 6th, 2023
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Sepember 9th, 2023
10-11:00 a.m.
September 16, 2023
10-1:00 p.m.
Launch Party at Brooke Haven Health Care
1410 N. Kentucky Ave.
West Plains, MO 65775
Story time at the West Plains, MO Public Library
750 W. Broadway St,
West Plains, MO 65775
Howell County Dementia Awareness Event
First Baptist Church
202 Walnut Street
West Plains, MO 65775
September 19, 2023
10-12:00 p.m.
Podcast Interview
Jason Gant/With Parents Podcast
United Methodist Church
Leawood, KS
October 14, 2023
11-4:00 p.m.
Downtown West Plains Fall Block Party
West Plains, MO 65775
October 16, 2023
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Season of Caring Podcast with Rayna Neises
October 24th, 2023
3:00 p.m.
October 27-28
10:oo - 5:00 p.m.
Ozarks Live KOLR TV live Interview
​
Mountain View, AR Bean Festival
107 W Main St.
Mountain View, AR 72560
November 3, 2023
5:00 p.m.
Barnes and Noble Author Event
3055 S Glenstone Ave.
Springfield, MO 65804
November 25, 2023
​
January 8th, 2024
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
January 25th, 2024
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Barnes and Noble-Ladue
Story Time and Book Event
8871 Ladue Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63124
​
​
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
with Jed Doherty
That's GOOD Parenting
with Dori Durbin
TBA
March 9 & 10
Turn the Page with Paige/KMOV St. Louis
​
Crestwood-Sunset Hills Rotary
Arts and Craft Fair
Lindbergh High School
5000 S. Lindbergh
St. Louis, MO 63126
​
​
​