Oma's Bag by Michelle Wang, illustrated by Sam Nunez

The five Lim children - Jessica, Jocelyn, Jeffrey, Jacob, and Kenzie - are thrilled when their parents tell them that Oma and Opa, their beloved grandparents, are coming to town for a visit. But this time, things seem different - grandmother Oma's cooking doesn't taste the same, and she's started asking the same questions over and over, even while talking about specific moments from her past. Then things around the house begin to go missing: keys, eyeglasses, the TV remote. When the items turn up in Oma's oversized shopping bag that she carries around with her, Opa and the family come to the sad realization that she's in the early stages of Alzheimer's. But the journey from the past to new shared experiences reminds the family that Oma is still Oma. And as Jeffrey watches his cherished grandmother dance about the house, he reassures his grandfather, "She's still here."

Accompanied by joyful illustrations,Oma's Bagis a tender and touching book to help children navigate an Alzheimer's diagnosis in their family, revealing how it can lead us to embrace our loved ones fully in new and unexpected ways. (From Arsenal Pulp Press)

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Michelle Wang is a writer and elementary school teacher currently based in Toronto.

Sam Nunez is an artist based in Peterborough, Ont.Oma's Bagis his first book.