Flipturn Publishing is a Canadian indie publisher created to make a difference in the lives of families affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia.
Current Titles
In 2018, we launched the picture book, I Smile For Grandpa, a collaborative work between Canadian Author & Dementia Care Expert, Jaclyn Guenette and Author & Illustrator, Kathryn Harrison.
In I Smile For Grandpa, discover the heartwarming relationship between Grandpa and his Little Buddy. When Grandpa is diagnosed with a dementia disease, Little Buddy realizes playing soccer together won’t quite be the same. But while the activities that Grandpa can do are changing, there is still much fun to be had. In fact, spending time with each other is as special as ever!
Using delightful and tender illustrations, dementia is compassionately explored through the innocent eyes of a child to create a greater understanding of the disease. Tips for speaking with your child as well as a useful Q&A are also included to enhance learning.
Since its launch, we had the book translated into 3 other languages; French, Grand-Papa aura toujours mes sourires, German, Ich Lachle Fur Opa and Danish, Jeg smiler for farfar.
For more information about the book, please visit ismileforgrandpa.com.
In 2016, we launched our debut title – the picture book, Weeds in Nana’s Garden, by Canadian Author / Illustrator Kathryn Harrison.
We are excited to announce that this book has now won two important Children’s Book Awards! Read More
Since its publication, we have had the book translated so that it is now available worldwide in 5 different languages!
Find it in French, German, Danish and Portuguese, as well as English under these titles; “Des mauvaises herbes dans le jardin de Mamie”, “Unkraut in Omi’s Garten” . “Ukrudt i Bedstes have”, and “Ervas Daninhas no Jardim de Voinha”
For more information about this book, please visit weedsinnanasgarden.com.
Our books are currently available at all major online booksellers. They are also distributed globally via Ingram Book Group so can be ordered into your favorite local book store around the world.
Purchase I Smile For Grandpa in paperback from Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk and Barnesandnoble.com. OR ask for ISBN 978-0-9949467-6-8 at your local bookstore!
Purchase Weeds in Nana’s Garden in Hardcover at weedsinnanasgarden.com or in paperback from Amazon.ca , Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk , Barnes & Noble, Chapters.Indigo.ca and Angus Robertson Bookworld OR ask for ISBN 978-0-9949467-0-6 at your local bookstore!
What the Experts are saying
“I Smile For Grandpa is an endearing story, starting with tender moments between a grandchild and grandpa. Well done in captivating the different emotions and behaviour one with dementia can exhibit. The story and illustrations show how the grandchild can support grandpa as dementia progresses; using reminders and distractions…The book also aptly includes valuable answers to common questions following the story.”
“Using the garden metaphor as a tool to illustrate the progression of dementia, Weeds in Nana’s Garden explains Alzheimer’s disease to children in clear and sensitive terms. The book’s young narrator asks questions of her mom that echo real-world concerns that many children have about a family member with dementia, guiding young readers through the delicate process of understanding brain disease. To further support families, the book also includes a helpful Q&A section that answers questions like: “Who gets dementia?” and “Is there any medicine to help?”
About Our Creators
Kathryn Harrison
Creating ‘Weeds in Nana’s Garden” marked the end of a personal journey for Author/Illustrator Kathryn Harrison. In 2005, her mom was diagnosed with Early-Onset Dementia at the age of 62. During the years following, Kathryn learned firsthand about the heart-ache of the disease. Motivated by the experience, Kathryn decided to do something to help others dealing with dementia. Kathryn holds a BSc, an MBA and a Fine Art Diploma. She brings together her science, business and art skills to create picture books that help children better understand Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia.
Kathryn’s commitment to develop dementia resources that support families continues in her work on the team that runs AlzAuthors.com, an online community of authors who are writing about dementia diseases.
Jaclyn Guenette
Another Canadian, writer Jaclyn is a mother of three young children. She is a Registered Social Worker dedicated to working with individuals and families living with Dementia. Jaclyn is passionate about creating Dementia awareness. She wrote our newest children’s book, I Smile For Grandpa, to help families maintain meaningful and loving relationships when faced with Dementia.
Jaclyn says, “for many years I have been working in a hospital Secured Dementia Unit as a Registered Social Worker and Designated Capacity Assessor. Common questions from families, with young children, are often focused around how to explain this very complicated disease to children”. She feels her story writing could help families and children by addressing these common questions in an inviting, loving, and compassionate way.
Exciting News
Kathryn Harrison is participating in the 2nd Caregiver Smile Summit, an online conference that gives you access to dozens of valuable materials and online videos from caregiver experts from around the world.
You can pre-register today! Find details here:
About Our Awards
Our titles have won some Book Awards since they were published.
First Place, Purple Dragonfly Book Award, 2020
Health Category Winner and Family Matters Category Honorable Mention, I Smile For Grandpa.
Silver Winner, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, 2016
Books for 6 – 8 Year Olds Category, Weeds in Nana’s Garden.
For this Award, judging was completed by teachers and children in 8 UK schools. The books were scored according to editing, theme, style, cover and illustrations. The fact that this book was selected by regular children and teachers from all types of books is what makes this Wishing Shelf Award for a book about Alzheimer’s Disease so important.
Second Place, Authors Talk About It Book Contest, 2017
Children’s Fiction Category, Weeds in Nana’s Garden.
For this Award, judging was completed by professional writers and reviewers. Each book was rated on several characteristics. Once again, this book was chosen from several dozen other children’s book to receive the 2nd highest rating in the Children’s Fiction Category.
The Judges had this to say about the book, “Every library, every doctor’s office, every child’s home bookshelf and every counselor’s office should have a copy of Kathryn Harrison’s Weeds in Nana’s Garden. This is a disease that everyone encounters in one way or another, and Harrison has done such an absolutely beautiful job of shining a light on it, explaining it in a way that children can grasp and yet, still gripping the heart of any reader who peruses the pages. Highly recommended.”
To augment our impact, proceeds from each book sold will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. In this way, our book helps families face the challenge of a dementia disease and changes lives for the better.
Contact Us
If you’d like more information, please send us an email using the contact form below. Thank-you for your interest in helping us change lives.
