About the Author

With a master’s degree in Clinical Practices (psychology), Lydia Burdick’s career has been in human resources. Since 1993, she has been a consultant at an international outplacement firm. Lydia wrote The Sunshine on My Face in the course of caring for her mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. “One of my greatest pleasures,” she says, “was sitting together with my mother and hearing her read the words from this book when she had otherwise stopped speaking almost entirely.”

Reviews

"[The Two-Lap Books] help caregivers not only interact and engage, but maybe share a few words and a smile."--Senior Living Executive"Reviews" (07/31/2017)

"As an activities director in assisted living memory care, I frequently used Lydia Burdick's charming books and witnessed family caregivers as well as staff successfully sharing them with the adults who had memory impairment. Reading together and enjoying the colorful pictures of positive daily activities provides genuine opportunities for engaging interactions. Two-Lap Books are simply fabulous and require no preparation time or materials to get ready."-- (08/18/2015)

"I used to read this book to my mother who had dementia, and it really was the only book that seemed to keep her attention. It deals with day-to-day events that she could not only relate to, but see through the illustrations on each page. I highly recommend The Sunshine on My Face, not only to facilities for memory-impaired individuals, but also for caregivers at home with their loved ones."-- (08/18/2015)

"In working with families and professionals, The Sunshine on My Face has been an invaluable tool for them to engage people with advanced dementia on a one-to-one basis. The simple words, pleasant themes and colorful illustrations enable everyone to have an enjoyable experience."-- (08/18/2015)

"One of the challenges in caring for someone with dementia is knowing what to talk about. In The Sunshine on My Face, Lydia Burdick and Jane Freeman provide vivid conversation starting points that are fun to look at."-- (08/18/2015)

"This book is a TRUE GEM! When reading it together with my mom who has dementia, in very little time her mood changed. She became very engaged and very ALIVE! It is a truly transformational book."-- (08/18/2015)

"This book offers a unique way of sharing with someone who is living with dementia. Knowing that your loved one is there communicating with you 'in the moment' is such a blessing!"-- (08/18/2015)