Two-Lap Books®
Two-Lap Books® are especially for people with Alzheimer’s and those who care about them and for them.
Written by a daughter, Lydia Burdick, for her mother who was diagnosed 
with Alzheimer’s, these special books are Alzheimer’s activities that offer the perfect way for family and friends to visit with a loved with, and for caregivers to provide a more personal touch. Open each book to a favorite page, read it from start to finish, or use the conversation prompts and suggested songs in Happy New Year to You! and Wishing On a Star to spark warm interactions.
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias progressively interfere with communication skills; Two-Lap Books bring alive remaining abilities and lets you connect in happy ways. Reading Two-Lap Books together is an instant activity — no planning or preparation is required. Open to a favorite illustration, read from start to finish, or select just a page or two to spark an exchange. Tips on how to promote engagement with the book are provided, or just use your own creativity. Here is a natural and unlimited opportunity to rebuild connections for the person with dementia, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and related disorders.
Two-Lap Books are interactive and fit comfortably over two laps. Charmingly illustrated by Jane Freeman. the helpful Conversation Prompts spark conversation and reminiscence on each page. A.
- Wishing on a Star
- The Sunshine on My Face
- Happy New Year to You!
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Wishing on a Star
This third book in the Two-Lap Book Series takes the readers through a day of an older person, with simple, doing pleasurable activities such as enjoying the smell of coffee and enjoying laughing out loud — til being tucked in at the end of the day. The pages are delightfully illustrated, once again, by Jane Freeman.
The Sunshine on My Face
In this innovative book, colorful illustrations accompany short, easy-to-read text that describes universally appealing experiences: feeling the warmth of the sun on your face, listening to music, watching children play, going for a ride in the countryside. Pictures and text together will spark boundless opportunities to discuss and remember happy times and comforting experiences. Styled with the appeal and simplicity of a children’s book but created for adult audiences, this first-of-its-kind Two-Lap Book™ can serve multiple purposes:
- Stimulate conversation and reminiscence
- Encourage physical closeness and interaction
- Provide a calming diversion from an upsetting episode
- Inspire intergenerational exchanges with children
- Increase social interaction between staff and residents
- Promote reading skills in residents who retain their literacy
Reading The Sunshine on My Face is an instant activity — no planning or preparation required. Open to a favorite illustration… read from start to finish… or select just a page or two to spark an exchange. Tips on how to promote engagement with the book are provided — or just use your own creativity! Here is a natural and unlimited opportunity to rebuild connections for the person with dementia, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and related disorders.
Happy New Year to You!
The second book in the Two-Lap Book™ series, Happy New Year to You! celebrates each month of the year with colorful illustrations and short, easy-to-read text. Individuals with memory impairment and their caregivers will enjoy the familiar and friendly images: rain showers in April, weddings in June, school days in September. Pictures and text together will spark opportunities to discuss and remember happy times and comforting experiences. Styled with the appeal and simplicity of a children’s book but created for adult audiences, this Two-Lap Book can serve multiple purposes:
- Stimulate conversation and reminiscence
- Encourage physical closeness and interaction
- Provide a calming diversion from an upsetting episode
- Inspire intergenerational exchanges with children
- Increase social interaction between staff and residents
- Help maintain reading skills in residents who retain some literacy
Reading Happy New Year to You! is an instant activity — no planning or preparation required. Open it to a favorite illustration. . . read it from start to finish. . . or select just a page or two to spark an exchange. 
Tips on how to promote engagement with the book are provided, as well as song suggestions for each illustration! Here is a natural opportunity to rebuild connections to the person with dementia, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and related disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What have experts in the Alzheimer’s field said about Two-Lap Books as activities for dementia patients?
A. Here’s what some in the field have said about Two-Lap Books:
“The book appears to be exactly the kind of reading material that is likely to be useful and appreciated by Alzheimer’s patients in moderate to severe stages.”
~ Dr. Barry Reisberg, MD, Clinical Director, Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center, New York University School of Medicine
“This is a lovely concept and should be a valued resource for caregivers of memory-impaired persons. It is well done, and the reader can improvise additional scenarios following the model pioneered by the book.”
~ Dr. Carl Eisdorfer, MD, PhD, Knight Profession, Director, University of Miami Center on Aging
“A wonderful way to engage with a memory-impaired adult.”
~Dr. Peter Rabins, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University of Medicene and co-author of “The 36-Hour Day”
Read and share these amazing heart touching books…it will make everyone happier, wiser and better equipped to communicate.”
~Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of #1 New York Times best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul”
“Lydia Burdick offers caregivers a little ray of sunshine. Her book “The Sunshine on My Face” is a treasure born of personal experience. The words are simple, to the point and eminently readable. The illustrations are clear, recognizable and pretty to look at. The combination, with instructions and suggestions from the author who has been there, creates an opportunity to sit back, take a break and talk about the things we love to do. It just feels good!”
~ Ms. Jitka Zgola, President, Giverny Consultants (Alzheimer’s consultancy)
Read what other professionals and care-givers say about Two-Lap Books® here.
Q. Why is this book called a Two-Lap Book?
A. Each Two-Lap Book is big enough to cover two laps. Sitting together and reading the book this way with someone with dementia is similar to the way we all read books with our parents when we were younger. Reading a Two-Lap Book is an Alzheimer’s activity in which you sit down right next to the person with dementia share the book. Sitting close together is another big plus for using this book.
Q. I’m pretty sure my parent can’t read, so what value can we get from this book?
A. I would first say that if you aren’t sure, sit down with your parent (or relative, friend or person you are caring for) and ask them to read to you. I wasn’t sure if my mother would read to me, and I found that 
she was able to after I asked her a few times. So ask them, maybe even a few times, with encouragement and no pressure at all, and see if they will read the words out loud.
If your parent (or person with dementia) either can’t read or doesn’t want to read, then try all or a few of these additional ways to use Two-Lap Books:
- Read the book to your parent
- Ask your parent questions about what you read
- Look at the illustrations together, make comments about what you are seeing
- Refer to the Conversation Prompts (and sample song suggestions in Happy New Year to You!) for questions to ask about every page of the book (or ask your own questions!)
Q. What do you see are the most important benefits of reading Two-Lap Books?
A. Being close, relating with love and warmth with your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, tapping into residual reading ability, focusing on what is still good for you and your loved one — these are what I would say are the key benefits of sitting down next to your loved one and reading Wishing On a Star, The Sunshine on My Face, or Happy New Year to You!
There is plenty to be concerned and sad about, when someone you care about has this progressive disease. Taking time out after your consuming caregiving activities, with this instant recreational activity, is a wonderful way to share the joy of being alive and being together, again.
