Artist Perspective; Laura Mocelin on illustrating a book about Alzheimer's

The Memory Keepers – written by Sarah Allison and illustrated by Illo’s Laura Mocelin

A good book has the power to change the way we see the world. I love it when I see some book with a different topic. This is what happened to me last year...

I was asked to illustrate a book about Alzheimer's disease and how it impacts a family that has been explaining to their children what it is and how to deal with it. I started planning the book and researching a lot about how I could represent all of this in a light and dynamic way. So, while I was researching, a memory of a very dear lady, my old neighbour who has already passed away, came to mind.

She had a well-kept doll; she called it by name, petted it, and hugged it. And I, at the age of seven, played with mine too. We both had fun taking care of our dolls and laughing about everything. One day, she started talking about how much she used to ride horses when she was young. And the next day, she tried to look for the horse and asked her caregiver where her father was, because he was waiting for her on horseback. But little by little, reality turned into doubt, and in the end, she didn't know where she was, who she was with, or even my name. I never understood all that, and I think it would be difficult for a child to understand.

Then I realised that If I had the book I was about to illustrate, maybe I could understand it. I am a Memory Keeper, I remember her every day and, consequently, I illustrate this book in her honour. This is concrete proof that children's literature is truly important and has the power to transform the world.

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