Kotuku notices her grandfather is becoming forgetful…Step by step, Kotuku and her whānau learn about dementia and help Koro and each other to adjust to the changes in his life.
E kite ana a Kotouku ka wareware tōna Koro…Nāwai, nāwai ka ako a Kotuku me tōna whānau e pā ana ki toe mate wareware, ā, ka pēhea hoki te āwhina i a Koro, i a rātou anō hoki i roto I wēnei āhuatanga hou. 

Extract from blurb – Blimmin’ Koro!: Kātahi rā, e Koro e!

Where can I get Blimmin’ Koro: Kātahi rā, e Koro e!?
Your local library should have a copy; you can request it if not. Book Hub lists copies for sale held by independent bookshops in NZ. Or google the title to find where other copies are available.
 

Overview
Blimmin’ Koro: Kātahi rā, e Koro e! is an illustrated children’s book in English and Te Reo.  The story follows the progression of Koro’s dementia/mate wareware, through the eyes of his granddaughter, Kotuku.

Throughout the story, Koro is accepted and loved by his whānau, even when some of his behaviour is challenging.  This is a key message of the book and there is more about this in a ‘For adults to share with children’ section at the end of the story.
 

Who would find this book helpful?
This would be a great gift for children (and adults) learning Te Reo and/or for children whose grandparents have dementia/mate wareware.  The illustrations are detailed and could be discussed, as well as the different scenarios in the book around Koro’s forgetfulness and changed behaviour.

It is a book to be read out loud to children and to be discussed.

It would be great to have copies in school libraries and public libraries, so please consider donating one if you are able to.

My reflections
I loved that this book was in Te Reo and English, especially as we have just come to the end of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.  
I loved the kindness and aroha shown by Koro’s whānau towards him and how his wife supported and accepted him, remembering their long life together.  The story ends with Nana explaining to Kutuku that despite the changes to Koro’s mind and body, he still loves his whānau and that his love for them will never wear out. 

A shout-out to Books&Co Otaki for bringing this important book to my attention.  This is the second children’s book I have reviewed and the first that has Te Reo text. I will be keeping a lookout for more books in Te Reo about mate wareware.  
This book contributes a lot to children understanding people with dementia and older people in general; I’ll finish with the final sentence in the ‘For adults to share with children’ section:

Old people have lived long and interesting lives – they are precious and special!