How to Talk to Kids About Dementia: Pinkie's Turnabout with Sue Lloyd-Davies

Send us Fan MailIn this insightful interview, Sue Lloyd-Davies discusses her book Pinkie’s Turnabout (Fitzroy, February 2026), inspired by her own experiences caring for a loved one with dementia and her work with children in caregiving situations. The conversation explores the emotional journey of caregiving, the importance of understanding dementia, and how families can foster open conversations about these challenges.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pinky's Turnabout00:54 Inspiration Behind the Book03:20 Challenges of Caregiving06:41 Advice for Young Caregivers09:34 Navigating Grief and Emotions12:58 The Role of Pets in Caregiving15:36 Using the Book for Family ConversationsABOUT THE AUTHORSue Lloyd-Davies lives and writes in an old cottage in quirky Gulfport, Florida, where fuzzy cat, Arlo, loafs beside her keyboard and occasionally types an extra space or two into her stories. Caring for her mother, whose life — filled with friends, quilting and church — drifted into dementia, inspired her novel about Pinkie. When she’s not writing, Sue can be found under the oaks handing out hazelnuts to rescue squirrel Owen or careening around the community center in a line dance. Visit her at Suelloyddavies.com, where you can purchase a copy of the book (available wherever books are sold). PRAISE FOR PINKIE’S TURNABOUT“Drawing on personal experience, Lloyd-Davies confronts the hardships of caring for a loved one with dementia in this brutally tender debut. It’s a surprise-packed narrative that counterbalances nuanced examinations of complicated relationships and hard-earned life lessons against Jack’s delightfully snarky quips.” Ages 9–12. (Feb.)—Publishers Weekly – STARRED Review“Pinkie’s Turnabout is a layered story and an appealing pick for middle grade readers. An entertaining, heartfelt story and a great pick for classroom reading and discussion, all ages will find value in its themes of love and forgiveness, becoming self-aware, not judging by appearance, and the unmasking of subtle prejudices that often go unrecognized. Conflicts and troubles abound for Pinkie at every turn, but love and forgiveness win out in the end in a way that will make your heart grow three sizes. Never preachy, never didactic, the story shows through action and event how to be a better person.”―Clara Gillow Clark, writing coach and award-winning author of Hill Hawk Hattie and Hattie on Her WaySupport the showVideo on Ask Dr. Mia YouTube channelTranscripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Email: [email protected] expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.