Blue Sky, White Clouds: A Book for Memory-Challenged Adults

"BLUE SKY WHITE CLOUDS...A Book for Memory-Challenged Adults" arrived on my doorstep today via Amazon.com and I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT immediately! If I could sing/shout its praises from the rooftops, I would, but will settle with posting a review on Amazon.com and sharing it with my Facebook friends and family. With each turn of the page the short, easy-to-read captions and exquisite photographs were beyond captivating and I found myself wishing I were not alone, but reading it with someone. I can't wait to recommend it to my family, friends and colleagues. "Blue Sky White Clouds" is a picture book that will appeal to youngsters as well as memory-challenged adults and their caregivers. This I know from working for ten years as the Resident Storyteller at St. Joseph's School for the Deaf, Bronx, NY. While my very young students loved illustrated pictures books, they always gravitated to books with photographs of people, animals, familiar objects and landscapes. They would LOVE this picture book, I KNOW! Eliezer Sobel was inspired to write this book for his beloved mother, Manya Sobel who has lived with Alzheimer's disease for nearly ten years. It warms my heart to know that she remains at home under the loving and devoted constant care of his father, Max Sobel. It warms my heart as I picture them reading this book together. As a storyteller with 30+ years telling stories to multi-ethnic, multilingual populations (ages 2 to 92) including people with special needs - hearing and Deaf - there are no words to express how much I love "BLUE SKY WHITE CLOUDS..." On behalf of the millions of people living with Alzheimer's disease, and their devoted caretakers, thank you Eliezer Sobel for writing this "exquisite FIRST-EVER Picture book for Memory-Challenged Adults."

This book brought smiles from my good friend of many years. Her memory is minute-to-minute but the essence of her kind and gentle soul remains. She found joy reading the simple captions. The pictures spawned conversation—about the image, or random thoughts. Pictures she had seen before were new again and again and just as enjoyable. The smiling faces, the simple pictures were reassuring. For those very early on their memory-loss journey this book might be too simple and maybe off-putting. But for those further along on their journey, this book is perfect.

My Dad a former police officer suffers from Alzheimers...he is in denial at times..probably helps him cope, not sure. He is bored and no longer can read the things he once could. He is turned off by childrens books and will not even attempt to read them. When i saw your book i was excited because it has a beautiful cover and i loved the photos. I however agree with another review, if he sees the memory impaired part he will reject it and possibly feel stress.I see no need for it to be on the cover. i used several Sharpies to try and cover it up and the book now looks well ugly. I hope you will consider in the future to be more discreet simply because it matters to those that still kinda understand. Reading and relaxing are interupted when you are reminded about your illness. The photos and the meat of the book are great!! Thanks for kindness!

Happy, pleasing, moving memories make people stronger, Especially 'ego integrity' is very important to the elderly. At first, I needed this book for my mother with dementia and for my thesis(I'm studying Psychology), but it gave me lots of feelings and awareness. The pictures of this book are all warm and pleasant, they make me smile alone. I am sure they are very effective as recall cues not only for the elderly but also anyone who needs to know who she(he) is.

I provide eldercare for private clients; several of which have varying degrees and types of dementia. This book has such beautiful images, and lovely, short sentences. I enjoyed reading it and have shared it with client (s) who enjoyed it as well. One woman I have shared with cannot speak. When I shared the book with her she followed with her finger as I read the text. There is no other book like this. Even though Eliezer had the intention to write this for people who have dementia, I also plan on sharing with young children too. This is a special book for many ages. Thank you for writing it!

First off, I'm in the camp that says it's okay to say memory challenged. Years ago when it started happening my mom reached out to me and I listened to her. I had a feeling what was going on, and what that must feel like, how scary that must be. My mom knows she's memory challenged. She has known for over a decade and it's okay to say it. This book has beautiful photos. My mom loves going through, photo by photo. Sometimes she reads it on her own and sometimes I read along with her, commenting as we go. Mom is in the final stages and this book gives her joy. She also loves the robot/therapy cat if you are looking to bundle this with another gift.

I disliked this book because it has “for the more challenged” on the cover. And the book is not about the blue sky and clouds. It’s just a picture book for a baby. Seniors who are inflicted with Altzheimers or dementia are not babies.

This book needs more pictures and would be better with illustrations rather than photographs. The wording was also too brief.

I like using this book. It is a useful book to help draw out withdrawn people with dementia and other conditions.

My mum loves this book

I think this is quite a promising aid in prompting communication, but will need to use it for a while longer to find out exactly how to use it most effectivdly. The only problem with any book like this is that the title usually includes words like 'mental health, disability, dementia, memory loss', and if people are still able to read it can be a barrier to the use of such a book. Ideally any explanatory title would be easily removable. But it's a good idea.

A very poor book for "Memory-Challenged Adults". The introduction pages are in small print "normal" text and normal language which would be difficult for those with mild, moderate or severe dementia. The rest of the book is patronising and condescending to all adults except those with very advanced dementia. Anyone with sensitivity and knowledge of the subject would be much clearer about what they mean by "Memory Challenged" and then write the whole book consistently and appropriately. Another for the paper recycling bin!