‘What day is it?’ asked Kathleen.  ‘What time is it?’
‘It’s today,’ said the boy, ‘and it’s time to play in the garden.’

Extract from I Remember

Where can I get I Remember?
Your local library should have a copy, and you can request it if not. Book Hub lists the copies for sale held by independent bookshops in Aotearoa. Or Google the title to find where other copies are available in Aotearoa.

Overview
I Remember is published in the UK and Ireland.  It’s a short book for children (and adults) that describes George’s visit to his grandmother Kathleen on an autumn afternoon. George and Kathleen play outside, eat chocolate biscuits together and dance.  Raquel Catalina’s illustrations are vivid, and I found the facial expressions of George and Kathleen heart-warming. There is a QR code that you can scan for a free audio reading of the book.

Who Would Find I Remember Helpful?

Mokopuna / grandchildren who have a koro/kuia/grandparents with dementia, as I  Remember shows the two main characters connecting and loving each other in spite of Kathleen’s dementia; the book could make a great gift.

I Remember would be a useful addition to any primary school library because of its clear text, subject matter and engaging pictures.

My Reflections

I Remember is up there with Blimmin’ Koro by Jill Bevan-Brown for me (see my Bite-size review). Like Blimmin’ Koro, I Remember focuses on connection – George is constantly loving and accepting of Kathleen; he likes being with her.

The relationship between Kathleen and George benefits them both; I Remember is about mutual love, mutual giving and receiving. George visits and gets to play outside, to help Kathleen do up her buttons, and they share a chocolate biscuit. Kathleen dances with George and sings, and helpfully corrects George’s grammar. George’s acceptance of Kathleen is a wonderful example of going with the flow and of him continually focusing on who Kathleen is to him, rather than if she can remember his name or not.  Kathleen’s love for George is evident.

I found the illustrations very engaging. Raquel Catalina skilfully portrays many different emotions, from fear to joy. It’s all so true to life.

Kristen Phillips is the author of ‘Dad You’ve Got Dementia: Conversations with my father’ (The Cuba Press, July 2023). She grew up in Te Awa Kairangi / Lower Hutt, went travelling ‘for a year’ and returned to Aotearoa after thirty years based in London. Her father, Don, was diagnosed with dementia in 2011 and died in 2019. She currently lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara with her partner, the writer Mia Farlane. She is working on a sequel to Dad, You’ve Got Dementia and works part-time for Dementia New Zealand.