these long-loved things

these long-loved things by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761293849

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Author Josh Pyke’s dedication in the front of these long-loved things should have warned me: ‘For my mother, Catherine, and for anyone who has experienced the living loss of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.’ But no, I was a third of the way into this beautifully written and illustrated book when I realised that Josh Pyke was talking to me – about my grandfather.

Well, not really, but that’s what it felt like.

The beast that is Alzheimer’s is hard enough to face as an adult, let alone a child. ‘Why doesn’t Pop/Nanna know who I am anymore?’ is one of the most impossible questions to answer, but with these long-loved things I feel it may be a little easier.

Josh Pyke’s narrative follows a child, coming to the realisation that they are now the memory-keepers, and it is their job to remind their grandparent about the songs they once sang, the stories they told and who those people are in the photographs you’re looking at.

Ronojoy Ghosh’s bold and simple illustrations perfectly capture those precious moments, the shared joys and the recaptured memories. Together with Pyke’s words, the book is like a comforting hug – a reassurance that everything is going to be okay, that we are all loved and that memories are there forever.

Targeted at children aged between three and seven years of age, these long-loved things is the perfect shared read between a parent and a child, or even a teacher to their class – particularly if the class is involved in visits to aged-care facilities (which is the most glorious thing and should happen more often).

I wish I’d had this book when my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; it would have helped my children, and it would have helped me in more ways than I can explain. For me, the line I will take, and hold is this:

Once a memory is made, it remains. Even when it is forgotten.

Thank you, Josh Pyke, Ronojoy Ghosh and Scholastic Australia for bringing this book out into the world. Highly recommended for everyone, no matter your age, because this disease hits all of us in some way, at some time.