Cancer in the Family

Everyone Needs Blood by Laura Kamada
Independently Published, 2023, 27 Pages, Paperback
ISBN: 979-8862832969

Everyone Needs Blood was inspired by Laura Kamada through her work in blood banking. She has worked with multiple families who saw firsthand how blood transfusions helped their sick children. They also witnessed the effects of what a blood shortage can do when their child needs blood. This book discusses the importance of blood donation in a child-friendly manner.  

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Paisley’s Pay it Forward Adventure by Gail D. Nussbaum
Bookbaby, 2023, 33 Pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9798218076085

Paisley is a teddy bear excited to find a new home full of adventure and is surprised to end up in a hospital. Though not where Paisley expected to land, Paisley finds purpose through helping Ahna, a young girl battling cancer (Leukemia). Paisley soon finds his journey doesn’t end with Ahna- instead he finds himself traveling from child to child. Paisley learns what it means to pay it forward and the power of small acts of kindness - the story is one of love and giving back to those who need it most.

All proceeds from the book go directly to pediatric charities, including Ronald McDonald House, Brent’s Place, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

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My Dad and the Dragon by Montserrat Coughlin Kim
When A Dragon Comes, 2022, 42 pages
ISBN 978-1-7375071-1-6
Available in English and Spanish

My Dad and the Dragon is a children's picture book that honestly describes what it is like when your father is diagnosed with cancer through the allegory of a cancer dragon.  Cameron, the main character, openly openly shares family life, fears, and joys with young readers. This beautifully illustrated book, targeted for ages 4-10 years old, is one you will want to read with your children, and they will want to read on their own.

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Stars Will Twinkle, The Sun Will Shine: The Story of Olivia’s Leukemia
By Teresita Blake Kellenyi, Illustrated by Angie Jones
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2022 Each book is between 28 and 32 pages
ISBN 979-8-9850032-6-0
Ages 4-11
Available in English and Spanish

Written and illustrated to explain the cancer journey to young children. Follow Olivia and her family in this 3-book series as Olivia is diagnosed with leukemia, goes to the hospital for treatment and returns to school.  Book one Under the Weather In this first story, Olivia is diagnosed with leukemia.  Book two Stars Will Twinkle, in this second story Olivia goes to the hospital for treatment of her leukemia.  Book three Home Sweet Home, in the third story Olivia is back home after her hospital stay, has a relapse that sends her back to hospital. Before long she is better, back home, and back at school.

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What Happens When My Sibling Has Cancer By Sara Olsher
Mighty + Bright, 2020, 36 pages
ISBN 9781736611487
Ages 4-10

Join Mia and her stuffed giraffe Stuart as they explain the science of cancer and how a loved one's diagnosis and treatment affects a kid's day-to-day life. The book uses bright and fun illustrations to show how cells can turn into cancer, and helps reduce confusion about how cancer treatment affects the child and their siblings.

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What Happens When Someone I Love Has Cancer By Sara Olsher
Mighty + Bright, 2020, 34 pages
ISBN 9780578571386
Ages 4-10

Join Mia and her stuffed giraffe Stuart as they explain the science of cancer and how a loved one's diagnosis and treatment affects a kid's day-to-day life. The book uses bright and fun illustrations to show how cells can turn into cancer, and helps reduce confusion about how cancer treatment affects a person and the kids in their lives.

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The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2018, 40 Pages, Hardcover/Paperback/Audiobook
ISBN: 978-0316486231
Available in English, Spanish, and multiple other languages

Parents, educators, therapists, and social workers alike have declared The Invisible String the perfect tool for coping with all kinds of separation anxiety, loss, and grief.  In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they're all connected by an invisible string. "That's impossible!" the children insist, but still they want to know more: "What kind of string?" The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away? This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us, and opens up deeper conversations about love.

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When Someone You Know Has Cancer: An “Arthur” Activity Booklet for Families by Livestrong Foundation
Online PDF, 2014, 16 Pages

Available in English and Spanish.

This activity booklet was designed to help families talk with their children about cancer, answer their questions, reassure them, and suggest ways they can show their love and get involved in the fight against the disease. The illustrated booklet includes a story, "The Great MacGrady," featuring popular Arthur characters, for parents to read aloud with children and talk about together. In addition, activities to help children express their feelings about someone having cancer, and other resources, are suggested.

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Kelsey and the Yellow Kite: A Book for Children About Myeloma by Myeloma UK
Online PDF, 2013, pages 46

This book has been written to help explain what myeloma is to children and teenagers. Kelsey and the Yellow Kite tells the story of a little girl called Kelsey whose dad gets myeloma. It explains what myeloma is in very simple terms and is beautifully illustrated by illustrator Christine Battuz.

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The Year My Dad Went Bald: A Tale of Cancer, Chemo and Coping with a Cold Head
By Brian Kraft
Bang Press, 2010, 36 pages
ISBN 9780615421544
Ages 6-12

A cancer diagnosis is always shocking, but the sickness of a parent is an especially scary time for kids.  A heartwarming and informative story of how a young boy copes with his father's cancer diagnosis and treatment. Written and illustrated by a lymphoma survivor, and told from the perspective of his 9-year-old sports-loving son, this book will help any family facing the fear and challenges of cancer better understand how the disease will impact their children.  Perfect for kids 6-12 years old, with easy-to-understand explanations of conditions and treatments, a resource guide, and even famous people who have faced cancer.

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Developed by Rebecca C. Schmidt, M.Ed.
Oncology Nursing Society, 2003, 54 pages
ISBN: 1890504335: Mother ISBN: 189050436X: Father
Ages 3 to 8

This workbook for children, created by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), is available in two versions - one for the child whose mother has cancer and one for the child whose father has the disease. It provides an avenue for young people to explore their thoughts and feelings about the cancer of a parent. Children are supported to create and discuss their own book of experiences. With the help of parents, grandparents and other loved ones, children can identify their feelings, apprehensions, fears and concerns as the family progresses through diagnosis and treatment. Developed as well for use by helping professionals.