Lindsay Littleson’s latest book Ice Cream Boy is a coming-of-age story focused on the Scottish-Italian community, which looks at dementia and our relationship to memory, family and identity. Here, Lindsay tells us about the inspiration behind the novel.

Ice Cream Boy
By Lindsay Littleson
Published by Floris Books

I began writing Ice Cream Boy soon after my mum’s death from Alzheimer’s disease and that aspect of Luca’s story feels very personal. It was not an easy subject to write about, particularly for children, as there are no positives to dementia. It’s a dreadful disease which profoundly impacts family relationships, and I didn’t want to write a depressing book! So, my main character, 12-year-old Luca, is a fast-talking joker who is often in trouble at school, but is determined to save his family’s Glasgow ice cream shop by inventing the best ice cream in the world.

While there are lots of humorous moments in the novel, I wanted my book to be an honest account, so Ice Cream Boy doesn’t sugar coat the fact that Alzheimer’s is an awful disease and that caring for a relative with dementia is extremely challenging. Towards the end of the novel, Luca’s Nonna moves into residential care and while Luca finds the change difficult to cope with initially, it’s also a relief, as he and his mum have been struggling to keep Nonna safe. This short scene in the care home illustrates how residential care has become the best option for all of them.

She kept picking at specks of loose wool on the blanket, and glancing warily at Mum, who was sitting in the other chair with a fixed smile on her face.

Nonna’s hands started fluttering. “Who’s that lassie?” she hissed, her voice a frightened croak. “What’s she doin in my house? Get her out of here! Get her out!”

Her hands flapped, like panicking birds. Then, as if exhausted by the effort, her eyes closed and she started snoring, mouth wide open. Mum put a hand on my shoulder.

“Why don’t we leave her to sleep?” she suggested. “I’ll pick you up from school on Wednesday and we can pop in and visit again.”

I swallowed hard, trying not to cry, and then nodded. “Yeah, sure. Good plan.”

My hope is that reading Ice Cream Boy might develop children’s empathy and understanding of dementia. In the course of the novel, Luca feels confusion when his beloved Nonna begins to act out of character and fear when she becomes aggressive, as well as frustration, guilt and embarrassment.  The emotions Luca experiences are all perfectly  normal, but they are difficult feelings for children to deal with if they have insufficient information about what’s happening to their relative. Reading Ice Cream Boy will hopefully help young people who are coping with a similar situation and experiencing similar feelings know they are not alone.

While the dementia aspect of the story is sad, Luca’s close relationship with his grandmother has been vitally important throughout his childhood and glimpses of that enduring love and warmth shine through, right to the end.

Crossing the room, I planted a kiss on her forehead. Her skin felt cold, though the room was stifling, and when I hugged her, her clothes felt loose on her stick-thin body. But I’m right, I know I am. My gran might not remember my name, she might get confused about who I am, but she remembers she loves me. And I’m positive she knows I love her too.

These websites provide useful information on helping children understand dementia, how it affects people and how this could impact their lives:

https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/kids/juniors/
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/supporting-children-young-people-resources

Ice Cream Boy by Lindsay Littleson is published by Floris Books, priced £7.99.