Phyllis and Grace

This is a story of best friends, but so much more besides. Little Grace is often sent round to see her elderly next-door neighbour, with cake, a bowl of stew, some biscuits she has baked herself. They chat and Grace doesn’t mind how forgetful Phyllis is, or that she repeats herself and sometimes gets confused. The two have lots in common including a taste for jelly, a love of horses and that joy in small things that often unites the very young and the very old. When Phyllis has to move into an old people’s home, Grace continues to visit, the final spread showing them together, Grace’s head on Phyllis’ arm, under the lines, ‘Phyllis and Grace, best friends.’

The text is very sensitive, capturing all the warmth of the friendship while gently depicting the progression of Phyllis’ dementia. Bethan Welby’s illustrations match it perfectly, so that we see Phyllis through Grace’s eyes, sometimes laughing, sometimes quiet, sometimes sad, but always a true friend. It’s a book that will help children understand the realities of dementia and provide opportunities for discussion, but it’s also the story of two individuals and their relationship.

Read Bethan Welby’s interview in which she answers our questions about illustrating Phyllis and Grace.