A search for something her father could enjoy became a collection of books celebrating familiar places, traditions and everyday life. Maria Darling-Jones shares how a personal gift grew into an opportunity for families to colour, talk and connect across generations.
Maria Darling-Jones wanted to find something meaningful for her father to enjoy during the day, beyond watching television. But the colouring books she found weren’t quite what she had in mind.
Many featured intricate patterns that she felt could be confusing for someone living with dementia. Maria was looking for something simpler and more personal: pictures that reflected her father’s world, with familiar places, traditions and references that might give them something to talk about.
So she began creating a book about a Greek Cypriot grandfather and stories of his village. At the top of each page, a simple bilingual sentence offered a starting point for conversation.
When her father first opened the book dedicated to him, his reaction made the work worthwhile. Seeing the joy on his face was a moment Maria would never forget. It also gave her an idea: could something so personal to her father offer a connection for other families too?
That was the beginning of the I Am Memory™ Book Series, a collection of culturally specific colouring and memory-engagement books initially developed for people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Each book draws on the experiences of people who grew up in a particular country and era. Familiar foods, clothing, celebrations, household objects and everyday routines appear alongside characters, a country map and a national flag.
For Maria, those details matter. A picture means more when someone can recognise something of their own life in it. She has found that maps can be particularly engaging, prompting people to identify a hometown or local area and share memories associated with it.
Light humour runs through the books too. A familiar image might bring a smile or a laugh before it brings a story. There is no need for every page to lead to a detailed recollection.
As the series developed, Maria realised that she also needed to explain how she hoped the books would be used. The intention was for families, carers and loved ones to sit alongside someone, colour together and allow conversation to develop.
She added a “How to Use This Book” page to help people feel comfortable getting started. The books are not intended to test memory or put anyone under pressure to remember. They offer something to share, with space to respond in whatever way feels natural.
Maria has also enjoyed seeing people try something new. Many of her father’s generation had never owned a colouring book. For some, picking up the pencils was a first experience, bringing enjoyment in its own right.
That has been an important part of what she has learned. Looking back can create opportunities in the present: choosing colours, enjoying a picture or spending an unhurried moment with someone.
The books have also found an audience Maria hadn’t anticipated. Because many are bilingual, mothers have bought them to help their children learn a second language. Images and words intended to feel familiar to an older generation have become something a younger one can discover.
Her own grandchildren have contributed ideas and perspectives to the series. They are proud of their involvement, making its development a family experience as well as a creative project.
Something that began with a daughter wanting to engage her father has grown through contributions from several generations. That feels especially meaningful to Maria, whose hope is that the books will help other families find their own points of connection.
She does not expect every picture to prompt a memory or every session to produce a conversation. A smile, a shared laugh or a few enjoyable minutes together can matter just as much.
For Maria, the purpose remains close to where it began: sitting alongside someone you love and finding something to share. It is not just about colouring a picture; it is about colouring a memory.
