Books We Recommend:
Books for Parents when there is illness in the family:
Cancer:
Cancer in the Family (Sue Heiney, Joan Hermann, Katherine Bruss, & Joy Fincannon, 2001)
A comprehensive book published through the American Cancer Society offering information and activities to help children cope.
Can I Still Kiss You? (Neil Russell, 2001)
A question and answer format is the basis for the book dealing with questions frequently asked by children and adolescents.
When a Parent has Cancer: A guide to caring for your children (Wendy Schlessel Harpham, M.D., 1997)
A book for families that offers clear, direct, and sympathetic advice to parents trying to raise normal, healthy children while fighting a potentially life-threatening illness.
A Tiny Boat At Sea (Izetta Smith, M.A., CGT, 2000)
A book for parents, caregivers and professionals helping children in their adjustments to the cancer diagnosis of an adult family member.
Other Illness:
How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness (Kathleen McCue, 1994)
This book offers a broader view of parenting children through any illness of a parent.
Books for Children when there is illness in the family:
Cancer:
Promises (Elizabeth Winthrop, 2000)
A young girl’s experience with her mother’s cancer treatment, including her desire to have her mother promise the cancer will never return.
The Hope Tree (Laura Numeroff & Wendy Harpham, 1999)
Actual children who have mothers with breast cancer describe life in their family rom time of diagnosis through treatment.
Sammy’s Mom Has Cancer (Sherry Kohlenberg, 1993)
Written by a mother of an 18 month old son when she was diagnosed with breast cancer; this story helps young children understand and accept the changes in their lives when a parent is diagnosed with cancer. Appropriate for children in preschool and elementary.
The Rainbow Feelings of Cancer (Carrie Martin & Chia Martin, 2001)
Invites children to share their thoughts, feelings, and questions when a life-threatening illness has touched a parent or someone they love. Written and illustrated by a mother and daughter experiencing their own feelings with diagnosis of cancer. Appropriate for preschool to elementary aged children.
Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie (Jordan Sonnenblick, 2004) (appropriate for Middle-High school)
Fiction chapter book about the siblings of a child with leukemia
Both Sides Now (Ruth Pennebaker, 2000) (appropriate for teens)
Novel about family dealing with breast cancer and their child’s anger and fears.
Good Luck Mrs. K.! (Louise Borden, 1999)
All the students in 3rd grade are affected when their beloved teacher is hospitalized with cancer.
When Eric’s Mom Fought Cancer (Judith Vigna, 1993)
A ski trip with his father helps a young boy who feels angry and afraid when his mother gets sick with breast cancer.
Our Mom Has Cancer (Abigail & Adrienne Ackermann, 2001)
Two sisters ages 11 and 13 describe what is was like for them when their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.
Becky and the Worry Cup (Wendy S. Harpham, M.D., 1997) School-age
Six year –old Becky has many adjustments to make and new feelings to deal with when her mother is diagnosed with cancer.
Bereavement:
When Dinosaurs Die (Laurie Brown & Marc Brown, 1996)
Short chapters tell what it means to be alive, die, and have a funeral along with
other aspects of loss including feelings young children may experience. Appropriate for preschool and elementary aged children.
Badger’s Parting Gifts (Susan Varley, 1984)
Animals share memories of their friend, Badger, after he dies. Appropriate for elementary and middle school children.
The Brightest Star (Kathleen Hemery, 1998)
A little girl grieving the death of her mother finds comfort in looking for the brightest star in the sky to remind her of her mother’s love.
What’s Heaven? (Maria Shriver, 1999)
This book is a way for parents to start talking about death with children. A grandmother dies and this book presents reassuring way to present this to a child.
What is Cremation? (Jessie Flynn, 1994)
A book explaining cremation for young children.
Tear Soup. A recipe for healing after loss. (Pat Schwiebert & Chuck DeKlyen, 2004)
Grandy has suffered a big loss in her life and is cooking up her own unique batch of Tear soup for her own grief process.
Fire in My Heart, Ice in My Veins (Enid Samuel-Traisman, 1992)
A Journal for teenagers experiencing a loss.
Other:
The Kissing Hand (Audrey Penn, 1993) Separation
A baby raccoon does not want to leave his mother for the first day of school. His mother shares the secret love remaining between two even when apart. Appropriate for preschool and elementary aged children.
A Terrible Thing Happened A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma. (Margaret M. Holmes, 2000) Ages 4-8
After Sherman sees something terrible happen, he becomes anxious and then angry, but when a caring adult helps him talk about these emotions he feels better.
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