OUR STORY
It began with a love of books
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.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME
Nana was a librarian, a reader and a believer in the power of books
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, a precursor to 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 →
FROM LEGACY TO ACTION
A family story became a mission to help children understand
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
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UNDERSTANDING
Stories make difficult experiences easier to understand.
Age-appropriate books help children explore Alzheimer’s, dementia, disabilities, caregiving, and other experiences they encounter in their lives.
WHAT GUIDES OUR WORK
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CONNECTION
Stories help children see themselves and understand others.
Books create opportunities for recognition, empathy, conversation, and understanding experiences different from their own.
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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.
WHY THESE BOOKS
The right book opens a door to understanding
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, see experiences beyond their own, and sometimes discover the powerful recognition of “Someone else understands.”
Explore Books & Resources →
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION
Meet the team
Nana’s Books Foundation is powered by people who believe books help children and families better understand the experiences that shape their lives.
