Phyllis and Grace

Grace is a little girl; Phyllis is the old lady next door beginning to suffer from dementia. Despite the gap in their ages, they have much in common, and a moving and enduring friendship is born.

This touching story is deeply rooted in everyday life, and full of empathy and humour. The text is long enough to read aloud to an older child and the illustrations are sensitive, engaging and beautifully observed.

 

Selected as a White Raven 2023 Information and catalogue here.

Shortlisted for the 2024 Victoria and Albert Museum Illustration Awards.

 

Praise for this book:

'Young children visiting a relative with Alzheimer's or memory loss will appreciate this sensitive and surprisingly uplifting story.' Daily Mail

'Exceptionally well written… a deeply moving story with memorable illustrations that really bring home what life is like for those with dementia.' Healthy Books

'Using empathy, humour, a compassionate understanding of the barriers caused by dementia and Bethan Welby’s imaginative and sensitive illustrations, this is a beautiful picture book and ideal for introducing the topic of dementia to younger children.' Lancashire Evening Post

'Together words and pictures beautifully document the progression of dementia and how it might appear, from a young child's viewpoint. A book for adults and children to share and discuss as gently as it's presented by its creators.' Red Reading Hub

'The text is very sensitive, capturing all the warmth of the friendship while gently depicting the progression of Phyllis' dementia. Bethan Welby's illustrations match it perfectly, so that we see Phyllis through Grace's eyes, sometimes laughing, sometimes quiet, sometimes sad, but always a true friend.' Books For Keeps

 

Read about Bethan Welby's first book, The After Christmas Tree

 

 

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