What do you think?
Rate this book
A Song in Her Heart: My Mom, Music and Alzheimer's
Winner of the Firebird Children's Book Award for Ages 4-8.
Over 6 million people in the United States alone are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Talking about this hard topic with children who have loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can be a daunting task. A Song in Her Heart was written to help adults generate conversations about this disease with children and create more awareness for everyone.
Beautifully written and illustrated, this story takes you through the full life of Josie who was born with A Song in Her Heart. Josie shared her song with everyone she met. She believed everyone has a song to share. This poignant story was written about the author’s mother and reveals how music affects the lives of not only Alzheimer’s patients but also those around them.
Over 6 million people in the United States alone are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Talking about this hard topic with children who have loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can be a daunting task. A Song in Her Heart was written to help adults generate conversations about this disease with children and create more awareness for everyone.
Beautifully written and illustrated, this story takes you through the full life of Josie who was born with A Song in Her Heart. Josie shared her song with everyone she met. She believed everyone has a song to share. This poignant story was written about the author’s mother and reveals how music affects the lives of not only Alzheimer’s patients but also those around them.
32 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 3, 2023
Such a short book but so impactful. I didn’t expect it to make me cry. I’m a CNA and have worked with Alzheimer’s patients and music is the last memory to leave. Just like the book says, patients who couldn’t remember where they were or why, knew the songs of their youth. I had one patient who would get more animated when she heard Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. One man who used to dance when he first got there, couldn’t over time but he would still light up when music played.
This book is one woman’s very special journey through life with music, and eventually Alzheimer’s. I highly recommend it to anyone whose life is touched by Alzheimer’s. I want to thank the author for sharing this with us.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is one woman’s very special journey through life with music, and eventually Alzheimer’s. I highly recommend it to anyone whose life is touched by Alzheimer’s. I want to thank the author for sharing this with us.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2023
My grandmother passed away in April, it was a slow and then sudden decline where she lost her memory. My daughters and I visited her several times a week and would bring children’s books, books she read to me as a little girl. We took turns reading to her and her to us…it was amazing when she would remember and tell me how she loved this part of some part would make me laugh. This was such a relatable and lovely book. The pictures are just gorgeous. My girls 8 and 9 enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley and Kathy Dye for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy your book in exchange for my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and Kathy Dye for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy your book in exchange for my opinion.
June 14, 2023
I read this book for free in exchange from NetGalley for my honest feedback.
This book at first reminds me of Dolly Partons Coat of Many Colors. But I quickly started tearing up because my grandmother also suffered from Alzheimer's like the grandmother in the book.
This is a beautiful touching story. Thank you.
This book at first reminds me of Dolly Partons Coat of Many Colors. But I quickly started tearing up because my grandmother also suffered from Alzheimer's like the grandmother in the book.
This is a beautiful touching story. Thank you.
May 25, 2023
This was a nice children’s book and while I am very interested in the subject, I didn’t really connect with the story or the art.
I do love that 10% of book proceeds will go to Alzheimer’s Association. My grandmother has Alzheimer’s and it’s quite heartbreaking to watch so I do think books like this are super important for families.
The story was pleasant but the characters feel flat and not personal. Maybe because there’s no dialogue. Just a general story of a person’s life.
The art was clean and well done. But it felt kind of predictable? It reminded me of books from decades ago and didn’t really grab my imagination.
All of that being said, we definitely need more kids’ books like this that address Alzheimer’s.
I do love that 10% of book proceeds will go to Alzheimer’s Association. My grandmother has Alzheimer’s and it’s quite heartbreaking to watch so I do think books like this are super important for families.
The story was pleasant but the characters feel flat and not personal. Maybe because there’s no dialogue. Just a general story of a person’s life.
The art was clean and well done. But it felt kind of predictable? It reminded me of books from decades ago and didn’t really grab my imagination.
All of that being said, we definitely need more kids’ books like this that address Alzheimer’s.
June 13, 2023
Kathy Dye states she wrote this lovely little picture book to help bring about conversations with children affected by loved ones with Alzheimer’s. The story is short but impactful as Josie progresses from childhood to being a great grandmother. The disease takes away her memory so she has no recollection of those closest to her. They learn that Josie responds to music thus the title. The page where Josie, now advanced in age sitting at the table with her back to the family brought tears to my eyes thinking of m own experience with this.
I highly recommend this picture book to anyone whose life is touched by Alzheimer’s or simply to bring awareness to young ones,
I want to thank the author for writing and sharing her own sad experience but also one who found a way through it and hopes to help others with her work.
I want to thank the author for writing and sharing her own sad experience but also one who found a way through it and hopes to help others with her work.
June 20, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for this copy of “A Song in Her Heart” by Kathy Dye in exchange for a honest review.This is a beautifully written children’s book with a poignant message.It is the story of Josie and how she always has a song in her heart.It is evident through her life as she grows from a little girl to a wife, mother and even great grandmother.Her song and joy is present in all that she does for her family and others.As she develops Alzheimer’s her song goes silent but her family through music helps her to bring joy back into her life.This is a perfect book for early elementary school children.Well written and illustrated.
June 27, 2023
I enjoyed this children story with all of the characters within. The main character was Josie.
Josie has a song that she sing to everyone that she see through out her life. But later in her life she get sick with Alzheimer's. It is hard for her to remember that song that use to sing. But with the help of her family she get to hear it again.
This was a enjoyable read. The book had colorful illustrations that show us Josie life. What a great story. It was a little bit sad in parts.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Josie has a song that she sing to everyone that she see through out her life. But later in her life she get sick with Alzheimer's. It is hard for her to remember that song that use to sing. But with the help of her family she get to hear it again.
This was a enjoyable read. The book had colorful illustrations that show us Josie life. What a great story. It was a little bit sad in parts.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Read
April 23, 2024Living with dementia is such a challenge for families. It can be hard to explain to children why someone they love can't remember their name or even their face. This gentle story uses language children can understand to explain what dementia is, and helps them cope. The pictures are charming, the story moving and the message clear. It is so true that music is one of the last memories to fade. This book will help many families who are dealing with dementia.
July 19, 2023
A Song in Her Heart is a beautifully written and illustrated book by Kathy Dye. A Song in Her Heart tells of the journey of a girl who loves music and how it sticks with her throughout her life, even into her Alzheimer's diagnosis. I highly recommend this sweet book.
September 20, 2024
Near the end of the book, the author writes that "all of us have a song to sing", therefore Josie is not a unique character.
Finding a unique and likable character who overcomes obstacles is one of the most powerful reasons for enjoying a picture book.
If Josie is just one of us she is a part of millions of families' stories.
Still, not a protagonist young readers relate to and experience empathy with - the book only follows an ordinary person's ordinary life.
No doubt, the book's subject is touchy.
The publication can help you start a conversation with your kids about Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Finding a unique and likable character who overcomes obstacles is one of the most powerful reasons for enjoying a picture book.
If Josie is just one of us she is a part of millions of families' stories.
Still, not a protagonist young readers relate to and experience empathy with - the book only follows an ordinary person's ordinary life.
No doubt, the book's subject is touchy.
The publication can help you start a conversation with your kids about Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
June 12, 2023
This is a beautiful book. Beautiful story and beautiful illustrations. I can totally relate to this book. It talks about my family and they all had songs in their hearts. Remembering my grandmother and my mother made me cry they both had this disease. So read this book to your children to help them understand what is going on. This book deserves some kind of award.
I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a.review
I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a.review
October 24, 2023
This book was written to help adults and children talk about memory loss. I think all of us know someone with memory loss! How wonderful to have this book and be able to share it with the kids! I love the illustrations too! I especially love the Bible verse and will be using it with the kids I teach in Sunday school! 5 stars
October 29, 2023
Touching story about a serious topic, Alzheimer's, told with such love in its simplicity that children can easily understand. We are taken on a journey, filled with song, through Josie's life from childhood to adulthood. Music was the common thread that linked her memories to her family. We all have a song in our heart so let your song 'BOOM' or 'whisper'.
August 23, 2024
The story of Josie from the time she was a child to old age and the song she brings to everything she does. As Josie grows old she suffers from Alzheimer's disease and begins to forget, but songs and music help bring her back. A helpful book for a child who has a family member suffering from dementia. The art is skillfully done in watercolor.
June 3, 2023
Josie was born with a song in her heart. Even though she develops Alzheimer's, the song still shines through.
I will be blunt, I don’t think metaphysical aspects should be introduced to children until their brains are developed enough to understand them. I think it damages and confuses children to be introduced to religious metaphors they aren’t equipped to understand.
That points to another aspect I take issue with: what does it mean to have a song in your heart? Religious folks talk about confusing children with queer issues, but the queer theories presented in other children’s books are well defined, and explanatory. This book is not. What does it mean to have a song in your heart? What does it mean to pray? What was Josie praying for if her life is so happy? How do you keep your song playing when you’re struck by disease?
This book was supposed to be about alzheimer's but it did nothing but present an agenda.
I will be blunt, I don’t think metaphysical aspects should be introduced to children until their brains are developed enough to understand them. I think it damages and confuses children to be introduced to religious metaphors they aren’t equipped to understand.
That points to another aspect I take issue with: what does it mean to have a song in your heart? Religious folks talk about confusing children with queer issues, but the queer theories presented in other children’s books are well defined, and explanatory. This book is not. What does it mean to have a song in your heart? What does it mean to pray? What was Josie praying for if her life is so happy? How do you keep your song playing when you’re struck by disease?
This book was supposed to be about alzheimer's but it did nothing but present an agenda.
September 2, 2024
Heartfelt and inspiring, this book beautifully shows the power of music and love, even in the face of Alzheimer’s. It is a must-read for all ages.
December 17, 2023
This Book Hits Home!
My kids were older when their Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but had they been young I would have wanted to add this to our reading list. Very touching.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews