It began with a love of books
OUR STORY
Nana’s Books Foundation grew from Nancy Dulniak’s lifelong love of reading and libraries and her family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease. Today, her legacy lives on through thoughtfully selected children’s books that help make difficult or unfamiliar experiences easier to understand.
Nana was a librarian, a reader and a believer in the power of books
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME
Nancy Dulniak’s love of books began early. Growing up in Granville, New York, she received her first library card at age six, one year before the usual age of seven. Books became a lifelong passion and, eventually, her profession.
Nancy built a career as a librarian that took her through academic, public, research, and law libraries. After retiring in 2014, she was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and later with Alzheimer’s disease.
Her love of books and her family’s experience with Alzheimer’s became the roots of Nana’s Books Foundation.
Read Nancy’s Story →
A family story became a mission to help children understand
FROM LEGACY TO ACTION
Nana’s Books Foundation was created in 2020 in memory of Nancy, bringing together her lifelong love of books and her family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease.
The foundation first focused on helping children learn about Alzheimer’s and dementia through age-appropriate books. As the work grew, so did the collection, expanding to include stories about disabilities, caregiving, and other experiences children may encounter in themselves, their families, and their communities.
Today, Nana’s Books carries Nancy’s love of reading forward by putting thoughtfully selected books into children’s hands and onto library shelves.
Stories help children understand
WHAT GUIDES OUR WORK
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Age-appropriate books help children explore Alzheimer’s, dementia, disabilities, caregiving, and other experiences they encounter in their lives.
Stories make difficult experiences easier to understand.
UNDERSTANDING
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Books help children recognize themselves, connect with others, and explore experiences different from their own.
Stories help children see themselves and understand others.
CONNECTION
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ACCESS
The right stories belong within children’s reach.
Nana’s Books works through Title I schools and public libraries to help thoughtfully selected books reach children and the adults who support them.
The right book opens a door to understanding
WHY THESE BOOKS
Children encounter experiences they don’t always have words for. A grandparent develops dementia. A classmate communicates differently. A family member becomes a caregiver. A child recognizes something in a character that feels familiar.
Nana’s Books brings together thoughtfully selected, grade-appropriate stories about Alzheimer’s, dementia, disabilities, caregiving, and other experiences that shape children, families, and communities.
Through stories, children find language for difficult subjects, encounter experiences beyond their own, and sometimes discover a reassuring thought: “Someone else understands.”
Explore Books & Resources →
Meet the people who move the mission forward
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION
From family members who helped turn Nancy’s legacy into a foundation to educators, librarians, authors, caregivers, and advocates, Nana’s Books brings together people with a shared commitment to helping children and families.
Foundation Leadership
Dennis founded Nana’s Books Foundation to honor his wife Nancy’s legacy and her love of books. A longtime advocate for people living with Alzheimer’s and their families, he brings his experience in caregiving, dementia-friendly initiatives, and community service to the foundation’s work.
Dennis Dulniak
Founder & President
A longtime educator, caregiver advocate, author, and speaker, Toni brings decades of professional and personal caregiving experience to Nana’s Books. Her friendship with Nancy began through regular visits to Nancy’s memory care community, where they shared a love of ballroom dancing.
Toni Gitles
Vice President
The Family Story Continues
Mark began donating books to Knoxville classrooms in his mother Nancy’s honor in 2018, starting the tradition that grew into Nana’s Books Foundation. He continues her legacy by helping children and families better understand Alzheimer’s and the changes it brings.
Mark Dulniak
Son, Co-founder & Treasurer
As Nancy and Dennis’ younger son, Craig helped establish Nana’s Books Foundation to continue his mother’s legacy. He supports the foundation’s work to give children books that help them understand dementia, disabilities, and experiences often underrepresented in children’s literature.
Craig Dulniak
Son, Co-founder & Secretary Emeritus
Board of Directors
Writer and editor with experience in book publishing and a longtime commitment to education and community service. Colleen brings personal connections to Alzheimer’s, caregiving, and autism to her work with Nana’s Books and previously chaired the foundation’s Acquisitions Committee.
Colleen Kapklein
Secretary
With 35 years of academic library experience, Kimberly brings expertise in collection development, community engagement, and grant writing to Nana’s Books. Her personal experience as a dementia caregiver deepens her commitment to supporting families and communities and to meeting people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia where they are.
Kimberly Hale
Grants Chair
An educator and literacy specialist, Selena brings extensive experience supporting students in Title I schools, multilingual learners, and children with diverse learning needs.
Selena Lawrence
Volunteers Coordinator Chair
An academic librarian with 25 years of experience, April brings a lifelong commitment to helping people find the information and resources they need.
April Levy
Fundraising Committee Chair
An educator and children’s author, Deborah brings both caregiving experience and a child-centered perspective on helping families understand Alzheimer’s disease.
Deborah L. Mills
Newsletter Chair
Nana’s Books grows through people who believe children deserve stories that help them understand the experiences shaping their families and communities.
There’s a place for you in Nana’s story
HELP MOVE THE MISSION FORWARD