COMING 2026!

About the Book….

“I LOVE YOU, GRANDMA SHARON! Brooke and Grandma’s Days with Parkinson’s” is a children’s book detailing the path of a grandmother and her granddaughter and their journeys and adventures during Grandma’s progression with Parkinson’s Disease and Brooke, Sharon’s granddaughter’s resilience to keep her grandmother’s memory alive forever.  Often, it is difficult to explain what children see, feel, and may think when seeing their loved one diagnosed with PD. Set for caregivers, families, and those diagnosed with PD, this book aims to help guide children through various unknown experiences, feelings, and emotions, and provide insight from the eyes of a grandmother battling the disease in a storybook format.

 

As a son, father and advocate, I still have trouble today explaining what happened to my children’s grandmother due to Parkinson’s Disease, but I hope this book may paint a helpful picture to understand the journey for children ages 6-12

About the Authors….

Brooke Ackerman, Sharon’s lively and compassionate granddaughter, loves spending time at the beach, playing sports, and expressing herself through music. She has always felt a deep connection to her grandmother and keeps her memory alive by playing the piano that once belonged to Sharon.

Brooke is also passionate about raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease. Alongside her family, she actively participates in community events to help spread understanding and support for those affected by the illness. With a kind heart and strong spirit, Brooke is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world.

Dr. George Ackerman, son of Sharon Ackerman, teaches college courses in criminal justice, business, and law, and is also an accomplished researcher and writer. However, his greatest passion lies in advocating for a cure for Parkinson’s disease. To support this cause, Dr. Ackerman actively participates in charity events, speaks to various groups, interviews people living with Parkinson’s, researchers, and advocates, and conducts seminars on caregiving and loss. He is also a prolific writer, having published three books with more forthcoming.

Endorsements

“I Love You Grandma Sharon is an endearing story and a heartfelt way for children to learn what their parents and grandparents are facing when dealing with Parkinson’s Disease.”      

             -Congressman Paul Tonko (NY)

“This wonderfully illustrated book is both a precious family memorial to Sharon and a much-needed resource for countless families searching for ways to help their children understand and process similar experiences. The Ackerman’s have turned their grief into a beacon of hope, their loss into a legacy of awareness and compassion.”

           -Steve Annear, Chief Executive Officer, The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s.

“This book is a tender and heartfelt story that beautifully captures the love between a grandmother and granddaughter facing Parkinson’s together. As a friend of the author, a longtime Parkinson’s advocate, and a person living with Parkinson’s.  I was deeply moved by how this book helps families—and especially children—understand and cherish the moments that matter most.” 

          -Michelle Lane, Founder of Louisiana Walks for Parkinson’s & Ambassador, Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s

“This beautiful and compassionate book fills an important gap in children’s education about Parkinson’s Disease — a topic that is often overlooked, yet deeply felt by many families. By helping children understand what’s happening to a loved one with Parkinson’s in a gentle, age-appropriate way, it offers both comfort and clarity. Through its thoughtful storytelling and Brooke and Grandma Sharon’s loving relationship, it empowers kids to ask questions, show empathy, and stay connected to relatives facing the condition, all while validating all of the emotions that children can experience.”

          -Margaret Preston. President, Power Over Parkinson’s.

“Parkinson’s Disease is hard enough for adults to understand and accept. Children greatly benefit from simple and clear explanations about what their loved ones are experiencing. I Love You, Grandma Sharon is a touching, age-appropriate way to help kids understand the impacts of PD and learn how they can respond with empathy, compassion, and grace.”

         -Meredith Boone Tutterow, member of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Leadership Council

“I Love you, Grandma Sharon is a beautiful story about the love shared between Grandma Sharon and her sweet granddaughter, and the wonderful memories they create together as a family. It offers a comforting sense of peace, reminding readers that Grandma Sharon will live on in their hearts forever.”

          -Kim Williams, Executive Director. Indiana Parkinson Foundation

“I love you, Grandma Sharon” is a loving and positive way to share the memories of a beloved grandma while bringing awareness to Parkinson’s for young children.

          -April Spagnuolo-Moschini, Program Director, Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s

 

Stay Tuned.. More to Come!

…