Charlie and his grandpa are very close. Grandpa is ace at telling stories, and whether he is on about a pirate in the attic, a witch in the garden, or a gnome in the cellar, he and Charlie always enjoy the tales together. Then grandpa develops an 'awful disease that has eaten up his memory and his words. It has even swallowed up his smile.' Gradually Charlie begins to think of stories to tell his grandpa that will make him pay attention and begin to eat, and then to smile. It is hard for Charlie when grandpa doesn't know him, but he knows that stories and make-believe will help grandpa as much as he can be helped, and Charlie is good at that. The repetition of 'really and truly' goes throughout the book, first when grandpa is telling his stories, and then as a catch phrase for Charlie. The illustrations are a delight, with grandpa and Charlie in full colour and the imaginings they are both so good at in little black and white drawings scattered around the pages. Very well written too, with real understanding and a sense of hope. It is not often one finds a book about dementia for children that is both sensitive and fun, and this one fulfills both purposes beautifully.