Killick and Craig must be applauded for their truly inspirational practical guide on Creativity and Communication in Persons with Dementia. This book is a true celebration of the power of the arts for people living with dementia and is drawn on the authors' own experiences and wisdom. Killick and Craig assert that whilst there has been significant financial investment in biomedical research, the care of people living with dementia has been notably overlooked, to the detriment of wellbeing and affirmation of identity and self-esteem. This book attempts to redress this imbalance and is aimed at anyone (with any level of artistic talent!) with an interest in working alongside people living with dementia in a creative capacity, be they practitioners, volunteers, family members or researchers.

The book is presented in 30 bite-size chapters in four parts. Part One (Chapters 1–3), ‘Why the Arts?’, explores the meaning and function of creativity as well as ‘getting in the flow’. Setting the scene for the book, Part One aligns the beauty of creativity (with a small c) with the trajectory of the illness and self-expression. Part Two (Chapters 4–17), ‘What's on Offer’, presents a vast array of artistic creativity, including music, poetry, painting and drama. Each is described in its own right, offering try-outs to the reader at the end of each chapter. Killick and Craig share their own experiences, which are complemented by those of other authors, without re-inventing the wheel. Rather, in this book the authors take the concept of creativity to a whole new level. Many of the examples illustrate that through building relationships, any type of artistic creativity can be co-constructed with people throughout their dementia journey, across the spectrum. Part Three (Chapters 18–23), ‘Making Things Happen’, offers insight into the practicalities of running artistic and creative gatherings, highlighting potential barriers and challenges faced by all those involved in the creative process. Such creative gatherings are beautifully described by Craig as ‘a meeting place where relationships, and self-esteem and identity can flourish’ (p. 63). Part Four (Chapters 24–30), ‘Living it Out’, presents a series of narratives based on the experiences of the authors, in which the reader is invited to accompany the person living with dementia on their journey of self-expression. As Killick eloquently articulates, ‘we are all authors of our own stories’ (p. 57) and it is with awe that we, as readers, can share those stories of individuals living with dementia. On a personal level, Part Four offers the most poignant of journeys, where the authors offer moving examples of creativity in practice, and where the individual living with dementia takes centre stage.

The beauty of this book is that it challenges the ‘rules’ of the traditional arts in order to promote freedom of self-expression, as it pushes the boundaries around prehistoric assumptions that people living with dementia (particularly those with compromised verbal skills) are unable to express themselves creatively. Furthermore, the authors highlight the importance of listening and sharing as tools in promoting creativity. Whilst arts are traditionally viewed as a leisure interest, particularly in long-term care, the authors skilfully turn them into much more than just an activity or merely ‘something to do’. Killick and Craig demonstrate how creativity offers the opportunity for self-expression, communication and reaffirming relationships. The use of creativity in the context of life story offers a ‘picture of the person in the here and now’ (p. 93), whilst also portraying the person's journey up to the present day, depicting who they are now and how they got here. There are copious examples of how the arts can be used in different settings and how anyone with an interest in dementia can get involved, highlighting the process rather than just the end product. As someone said after creating a picture with Claire, ‘We have been on a wonderful journey, you and I. What fun we've had, laughing and singing. Holding a rainbow in our hands’ (p. 14).