What is What Do You Say (Wat zegt u?), and how did it come to be?
What Do You Say? (Wat zegt u?) is a photographic children’s book that grew out of my earlier project, Echoes of the Unseen. After my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021, I began photographing her as a way to explore her inner world and our changing relationship.
While working on this project, children of close friends began asking simple but confronting questions about my mother and her illness. I realized that while there are many resources for adults, there are very few visual tools that help children understand Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
With a background in education and conceptual photography, it felt natural to create a children’s book that uses images to start conversations. Together with three children—Koosje, Daantje, and Mijntje—I explored Alzheimer’s through photography, drawings, and short texts. Their imagination and openness became central to the project. By combining photography with children’s drawings, the book approaches Alzheimer’s in a playful, accessible and emotionally honest way. Ultimately, it became a book for both young and old.
Who initially inspired you to grapple with dementia?
My mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis was the starting point for all my dementia-related work. Photographing her helped me process the disease personally, while conversations with children around me revealed how much they, too, are affected—often without language to express it.
Their questions inspired me to create a project that speaks directly to children, taking their curiosity and perspective seriously.
How has working on Wat zegt u? changed you?
Working on What Do You Say? expanded my practice from personal reflection to shared communication. It strengthened my belief that images can make difficult subjects more approachable and that creativity can foster empathy and understanding across generations.
How has Wat zegt u? been received?
The response has been warm and meaningful. Parents, caregivers and educators describe the book as a helpful tool for starting conversations with children about Alzheimer’s. Children respond openly to the drawings and photographs, often sharing their own questions and experiences.
The project creates moments of recognition and connection, showing how art can help reduce fear and confusion and replace them with understanding.
This work is dedicated to: All children and families living with Alzheimer’s, and to the children whose openness and imagination made this project possible.
Find more from Jennifer Baron on her website or Instagram, and more about What do you say? on Facebook and Instagram.
