A Gentle Tool Helping Families Talk with Children About Memory Change

By Rachel M. Anderson, Contributing Writer

(ORLANDO, FL) — “Why doesn’t Grandpa remember who I am anymore?”

It’s a question many parents fear—not because they don’t want to be honest, but because they don’t want to be frightening. As memory-related conditions become more common, families are increasingly faced with explaining changes to children who notice far more than adults expect.

That growing need is what inspired The Memory Box & Charlotte’s Big Surprise, a children’s book by Florida-based author and professional guardian Homer Hartage. Unlike many children’s stories, the book is intentionally positioned as a repeatable tool—something families and educators can return to—designed to support calm, age-appropriate conversations over time.

Rather than treating memory change as a “one talk” topic, the book supports an approach many child-development experts recommend: honest language, steady reassurance, and permission for children to return to their questions as their understanding grows. The story introduces Charlotte, a young child who senses that visits with her beloved grandfather are no longer the same. The narrative models how children can ask questions, seek reassurance, and stay connected—without being pressured to “understand everything” in one sitting.

“This wasn’t meant to be a one-time story you read and put back on the shelf. Children don’t process change all at once. They return to it. They ask again.”

Central to the book is the concept of a Memory Box: a simple, tangible way for children to hold onto connection through photos, stories, and familiar rituals. The activity is meant to be guided by a parent, caregiver, teacher, or counselor—giving children a way to express feelings without being forced to explain everything verbally.

Hartage brings a unique perspective to the work. As a professional guardian, he supports individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss. Through that work, he noticed how often children are present during difficult transitions—and how often adults struggle with the same questions: What do we tell them? How do we keep children from blaming themselves?

A distinctive feature of The Memory Box & Charlotte’s Big Surprise is its thoughtful use of the term Alzheimer’s disease, introduced briefly and gently in context. The story avoids medical detail and instead returns to what matters most to children: reassurance, connection, and love that remains even when remembering changes. The Memory Box & Charlotte’s Big Surprise is scheduled for release on June 5, 2026, and will be available in hardcover and paperback formats.