Mak’s Bag

A gentle and loving book that helps children navigate an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in their family

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 the oversized shopping bag that Oma carries around with her, the family comes 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 them 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 Bag is a tender and touching book to help children navigate an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in their family and learn how to fully embrace their loved ones in new and unexpected ways.

Ages 3 to 8.

Michelle Wang is an elementary school teacher who was inspired to write Oma’s Bag by her own mother-in-law, in the name of all families who have loved ones living with dementia.