The Memory Box & Charlotte’s Big Surprise

Curriculum & Educator Resource Center

Calm, story‑based language for the moments when a child notices someone they love is changing. Honest words. Steady reassurance. Tools you can return to.

The Memory Box & Charlotte’s Big Surprise were created to be more than a one-time read. It’s a story you can return to, and a simple routine you can repeat at home, in the classroom, or in supportive settings where children need reassurance and space to express what they’re carrying. The goal isn’t to “get it all right” in one conversation. It’s to offer children steady language, a comforting connection, and a safe way to revisit the topic as they grow and their questions change.

Inside this guide, you’ll find calm, doable ideas for using the story and the Memory Box activity in real life—without pressure, without clinical language, and always with the child’s emotional safety at the center.

If you’re wondering where to begin, this is a kind of place to start.

“Children make sense of change through stories they can return to and moments that feel safe.”

Start Here

What’s Inside This Resource Center

Part 1: An
overview

Part 2: A five Day Curriculum

Part 3: A One Day Curriculum

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Sometimes children notice change before they have words for it. A visit feels different. A loved one forgets something familiar. Big feelings show up in small ways—questions at bedtime, worries in the car, or quiet moments you can’t quite name.

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How understanding grows — gently, naturally.

When children notice something has changed, they often feel it before they can explain it. Gentle guidance helps them begin to understand without feeling overwhelmed.

Through story and simple, repeatable routines, children are given a safe way to explore big feelings in small, manageable steps. There is no pressure to have all the answers at once.

The Memory Box becomes a steady companion in this process, offering a familiar space children can return to as their questions grow and their understanding deepens.

Over time, these shared moments build trust, connection, and the quiet reassurance that even as things change, they are safe, supported, and not alone.

Decades of guardianship work shaped a body of writing devoted to memory, dignity, and the families who carry both.

The story behind the work

Homer’s Story That Shaped All Other Stories

Years into Homer’s work as a professional guardian, he was assigned to an elderly woman with no close family. On paper, she was just another case number. But as Homer sat with her and listened, he noticed a small cardboard box tucked beneath her bed. Inside were a few photographs, old political flyers, handwritten recipe cards, and notes yellowed with time.

Most surprising, among this cluttered box was a financial record, her deceased husband had left an annuity, enough to care for her for the rest of her life. Alzheimer’s had nearly taken this from her.

"Please don't let me be forgotten. Care for me, remember me. This is the call of so many."

Reader Feedback

What Readers Are Saying

“I read the book “Family & Professional Guardianship” by Homer L. Hartage and found it very helpful. He explains the complicated topic of guardianship in a clear way. He used real-life examples to illustrate different scenarios. I highly recommend this book.”

Grace Michael

“After reading this book, I have a full understanding of guardianship. This book broke down the steps for me to understand what I need to do to seek guardianship, and it provided resources on how to do it. Absolutely amazing.”

Shirley Simmons

“Homer Hartage is a man who cares about people. The book is written in clear, precise language that does not require legal knowledge. Organized in a logical, easy-to-follow format with case studies. If you need information about guardianship practices in Florida, this is the book for you.”

Naomi Cooper

“A good resource for those who want to gain a better understanding of the legal and practical issues concerning guardianship in Florida. The guide is direct and well-organized, with plenty of practical advice that should be helpful to families.”

Metauser

Library

Books By Homer

My writings ensure that no life is reduced to just paperwork, no story disappears without being told, and no family is left navigating responsibility alone.

Family & Professional Guardianship

Provides useful information for individuals, families, and professional guardians, so that they can make informed decisions about the guardianship and care of their loved ones.

Guidance for Guardians

Are you navigating the fog of guardianship responsibilities? This book offers practical solutions grounded in laws and factual insights, ensuring you are never caught off guard.

The Memory Box & Charlotte’s Surprise

A heartwarming story seen through the eyes of a child, exploring the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease, family bonds, and the profound impact of memory loss on young lives.

Story Blurb

When Charlotte’s beloved grandpa no longer recognizes her face, her world crumbles. Armed with a Memory Box filled with photographs, Charlotte embarks on an emotional journey of rediscovery.

Parentification: Caregivers In Crisis

Every day, countless children step into roles meant for adults. Behind that strength lies a hidden cost: the loss of childhood, unspoken stress, and emotional wounds that can last a lifetime.

When Children Carry Adult Responsibilities

This book shines an unflinching light on the emotional and psychological weight carried by children who are forced to grow up too soon.

Partner Bookstores

Homer L. Hartage’s books are available through the AgedCare Guardian website and trusted bookstore partners across the United States and internationally, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, eBay, BAM (Books-A-Million), and ThriftBooks.

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We also encourage you to shop at your neighborhood bookstore.