A children’s picture book about living well with dementia.
Written by Sally Yule, with Professor Ralph Martins and Maggie Beer. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini.
Dancing with Memories now available in hard cover!
Hi everyone.
I am writing with a Dancing with Memories update!
I am delighted to let you know that Dancing with Memories is being published on 6th July 2022 in hard cover by Harper Collins. I want to thank Harper Collins for embracing Dancing with Memories and providing the opportunity to reach a wider audience with Lucy’s beautiful story.
Thank you again to the Dancing with Memories team - Cheryl Orsini, Professor Ralph Martins and Maggie Beer.
Special thanks to Mum and Dad who inspired me to write Dancing with Memories, and to my family and friends who helped nurture an idea from the beginning.
And the biggest thanks to all our readers, for your enthusiasm and support of Lucy and the Dancing with Memories project.
It is our hope that Lucy's story will continue to help demystify dementia for children, assist families as they navigate the challenges of dementia, and honour people living with dementia.
I’ll continue to share updates in the weeks and months ahead. Thanks for being part of the Lucy journey!
Please click here to buy the latest hard copy edition of Dancing with Memories.
With kind regards - Sally
Welcome to Dancing with Memories!
Meet Lucy.
Lucy lives with dementia.
She wishes she didn’t, but she does.
Her brain has changed, but she is still Lucy.
Thank goodness she has a brain AND a heart.
‘My brain is foggy, but my heart burns bright.
I can’t do everything I used to.
I can’t say everything I want to.
But my family and friends look out for me,
like the twinkling stars watch over the earth.’
Lucy
A message from the author
Dancing with Memories author, Sally Yule
Hi - I’m Sally!
I’ve worked with people living with dementia for almost 30 years.
Together with our fantastic care team, my siblings and I now care for our Mum and Dad, Wendy and Bob, who both live with dementia.
I decided to write Dancing with Memories to enable children to better understand dementia.
Through Lucy, children can understand how it feels to forget and become confused - and the many ways they can help.
I want Lucy to help them learn the role they can play supporting people living with dementia in their family or community.
Dancing with Memories can help everyone, not just children.
Lucy inspires us to enrich the lives of people living with dementia, bringing that value of care into our hearts and minds.
I hope Dancing with Memories helps readers of all ages understand they have an important role to play.
Lucy can give them ideas about what that role might look like in their lives – noticing, listening, responding with respect and empathy.
Like you and I, sometimes Lucy forgets things - she is lucky to have family and friends who look out for her.
Welcome to Lucy’s world!
About Sally Yule
Sally is a first time children’s author with her inaugural book, Dancing with Memories, published in March 2021.
For almost 30 years, Sally has worked in the aged and health care sectors.
In many of her roles, she has supported people directly affected by dementia, partnering with them and the families who care for them.
Sally continues to be in awe of care workers and the love and dedication they bring to their work.
Over the years, Sally has been part of the development and implementation of innovative services in aged care, dementia care and palliative care.
With her siblings, Sally is part of a care team that supports her parents, Wendy and Bob, to live well with dementia.
‘Dancing with Memories is dedicated to Mum and Dad, Wendy and Bob, in appreciation of everything they have given us, and continue to give us - every day.’
Sally
Lucy had help from her friends, Ralph & Maggie
Professor Ralph Martins & Maggie Beer
‘Dancing with Memories empowers young people and their families to better understand dementia. It is a must read.’
Professor Ralph Martins, Foundation Chair in Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease, Edith Cowan University WA, Professor Neurobiology, Macquarie University NSW, West Australian of the Year 2010
‘This is a beautiful book - how lovely is Lucy! I’m delighted my lunchbox recipes are included, as food full of goodness and flavour gives us joy...just as Lucy does’
Maggie Beer, cook, author and Senior Australian of the Year 2010
A special thank you to Ralph and Maggie - from the author
When Ralph and I were introduced in 2017, it was clear we shared a vision to write a children’s book about dementia – a generative story that would give children agency in helping family and community members live well with dementia.
Ralph’s three decades of experience in Alzheimer’s research and his continuing commitment to prevention and seeking a cure, is both cross-generational and empowering.
In 2010, Ralph was awarded West Australian of the Year and Maggie was named Senior Australian of the Year. They collaborated on the successful Recipes for Life book, published in 2019.
Maggie’s pioneering work and commitment to lift food standards in aged care has always inspired me.
As the project evolved, we invited Maggie to contribute her expertise. I was delighted when she agreed.
Her passion for healthy food - regardless of age - shines through her healthy lunch box ideas, raising awareness in children and their parents about the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices from a young age. Maggie has provided beautiful, simple recipes for healthy lunch box food that kids will love.
Having the wisdom, energy and expertise of Ralph and Maggie as part of Dancing with Memories has been a thrill for me and I am grateful to them for their generous involvement.
Thank you both!
Sally
Cheryl Orsini
Meet Cheryl Orsini - the creative genius who brought Lucy to life through her amazing, vibrant and colourful illustrations across the pages of Dancing With Memories!
Based in New South Wales, designer and illustrator Cheryl’s extensive body of work includes creating illustrations for more than 50 children’s books. Click here to view Cheryl’s work.
Illustrator, Cheryl Orsini
I loved Lucy when she existed in my text and imagination. With Cheryl’s illustrations, I love her even more.
Cheryl’s depiction of Lucy in the different settings and moods in the story has brought a realness to Lucy, such that I’m almost expecting her to pop off the page and drop in for a cuppa.
She has captured the joy and the sorrow, the frustration and the relief, the determination and the dependence, the risk and the freedom, the fear and the courage.
Thanks to Cheryl, she has brought to life in the character of Lucy, the conundrum of dementia and the prevailing dignity and beauty, despite challenges and frustration.
Thank you, Cheryl.
Sally
Education
Sharing Dancing with Memories in the classroom is a wonderful opportunity to help young people understand and develop empathy for people living with dementia – including those in their own family.
The classroom resources integrate the English and Personal Development / Health curriculum areas and are designed for 5 – 8 year old children in K-Year 2.
Please download free of charge. Classroom Ideas - Worksheets