looking back at ... The Beatles cover image

Books for people living with dementia

Cognitive Books bring joy to people with dementia and their loved ones. Built on scientific research, we publish simple books with dynamic content that empower people to maintain their love of reading.

New Release

looking back at ... The Beatles

Our new title looking back at … The Beatles is out 15 April 2024.

Free audio version read by Bill Nighy.

Based on science in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society

Cognitive Books is proud to work with the UK’s leading dementia charity. Through the Alzheimer’s Society’s Accelerator Programme, we have worked with people living with dementia to create engaging books that explore well known themes and feature short passages of rhyming text and beautiful illustrations.

All our books include exercises and a free audio download so the reader can enjoy them independently or with loved ones.

How Cognitive Books started

Watch Matt Singleton, the creator of Cognitive Books, as he shares the inspiration behind looking back at ... The Beatles and the positive impact it has had for his own family.

Brian and Colleen Singleton smiling at camera with looking back on ... The Beatles

The Cognitive Books story

Matt Singleton, a gerontologist, developed Cognitive Books for his father, Brian, who always loved reading. But after developing Alzheimer’s Disease, Brian found following stories and evolving plots difficult to follow. So Matt created a book for his Dad himself, sharing it with others living with dementia and experts in the field of research who saw its benefits. Since then, Cognitive Books has worked with Alzheimer’s Society to develop the books so they can bring the joy of reading to as many people with dementia as possible. 

What people think …

  • Professor Gill Livingston

    University College London (UCL)

    “Most people with dementia can read but there are few books designed specifically for them. Cognitive Books are written for the needs of people with dementia. They have the potential to give pleasure and may help improve social functioning.”

  • Jacky Hotham

    Wife of Jim (living with dementia)

    Many of the residents at Jim’s care home are very much of the 1960’s plus era. Where your books are so good is that they are not too long winded – information overload – and the audio addition is inspired.

  • Martina Davis

    Cognitive Book reader living with dementia

    “I’m a big fan of technology and innovation helping someone living with dementia, but they only have a finite time as the condition progresses. You need to go back to solid basics like a book. Something you can hold, something that feels familiar, that you can enjoy with someone else and have that social interaction – what a wonderful gift that is. Cognitive Books have longevity.”

  • Valerie Lofty

    Sister of Angela (living with dementia)

    “Well The Beatles book is absolutely brilliant. The parts at the back for advice for carers is just right. Angela wanted to personalise her book, which we started together; she enjoyed reading the book with us. She joined in the quizzes and ideas for discussion. The layout and typeface, well its presentation, is just right.”

  • Adelina Comas-Herrera

    London School of Economics
    “These are excellent books, which focus on what the reader would enjoy. I hope many people with dementia get to read Cognitive Books.”

  • Simon Lord

    Head of Innovation, Alzheimer’s Society
    “Cognitive Books are supported by Alzheimer's Society as part of our 2023/24 Accelerator Programme. The judging panel, including people living with dementia, and myself are very excited by the potential of Cognitive Books. We hope that the joy of books and reading are soon to be accessible to all people affected by dementia. The techniques applied in Cognitive Books make them particularly helpful in stimulating conversation and connection, making the benefits of a product like this quite far reaching.”

  • Brian

    Cognitive Book reader living with dementia
    “Every page, I had a memory come back to me.”

  • Colleen

    Brian’s wife
    “It’s so good. It’s so good for him. I love watching how much Brian enjoys reading the books and we also enjoy reading them together.”

  • Person living with dementia

    Focus group, Swindon

    “‘It takes me back, I can relate to it…can I take it home?”

Brian and Colleen enjoying Cognitive Books

If you’re working with people affected by dementia

Cognitive books can be used with people living with dementia in a range of settings and can be used independently or with additional support from carers/ loved ones. 

If you are a dementia professional, Cognitive Books can be used with book groups or as a welcome gift when moving into residential care. The books can be used as a focused activity that visiting loved ones, or staff, can do together with residents.

We would love to hear from you and how we can support your service – please do get in touch.

looking back at ... The Beatles Cognitive Books

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