Author and illustrator Kathryn Harrison created her picture book “Weeds in Nana’s Garden” to help children who have family members with dementia understand and be aware of the disease.  Kathryn created the book after her mother was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and her children began asking questions about their grandmother’s odd behavior.  In this episode she talks about the healing properties of art, how her life changed as her mother declined and what her children learned from being involved in their grandmother’s care. Kathryn also shares how her daughter’s friends at school got involved in the process of creating “Weeds.”

Music: “Tomoshibi” by Kakurenbo | CC BY NC | Free Music Archive

Website for the book: Weeds in Nana’s Garden
Kathryn’s personal website: Kathryn Harrison
For each book sold one dollar goes here: Alzheimer Society of Canada
Learn more: What is Frontotemporal Dementia?