Talking to Children About Cancer  

A picture book for ages 3-6 about a young child whose mother is going through cancer treatment and chemotherapy. Issues include the shock of diagnosis, hair loss, relationships with peers and wondering where the cancer came from.

Worldcat: "A picture book for children that draws upon real life episodes between a grandmother who has cancer and her granddaughter."

Can be obtain free of charge from the Susan Komen Foundation 1-800-462-9273

Short pieces written by kids participating in KIDS TALK, a support group for children whose mother has breast cancer. Beautifully illustrated. Suitable for ages 4-10 and for other types of cancer as well.

Worldcat: "A young boy uses color to express a range of emotions as his mother undergoes cancer treatment."

A book for children ages 4-8 about coping with a mother's hospitalization during a serious illness.

Library Journal: "This slim volume tells the story of a mother's fight against breast cancer from both her point of view and that of her (then) 10-year-old son. In alternating narratives, Pat and son Ben discuss their feelings about her mortality, her struggle through surgery, and all the times in between. Their ups and downs, their reaching out and withdrawal, and their happiness and despair are all described. This is a valuable book because it can help the reader see the real-life struggle to survive from a family perspective."

Worldcat: "A story parents can use to break the news to their children about cancer."

Worldcat: "This book focuses on what children need to hear when treatment ends-a message of hope and healing."

Worldcat: "When their mother is diagnosed with cancer, sixth grader Tim and his younger brother visit her in the hospital, learn about radiation and chemotherapy, and help with the chores at home."

Worldcat: "As their mother recovers from cancer, her children celebrate the milestones their family has reached and reflect on the different ways their mother's illness, treatment, and recovery impacted their lives."

Worldcat: "When a mother loses her hair during chemotherapy, a son gives her constant support as he helps her choose a wig."

Worldcat: "A book to help families talk about the difficult issues of breast cancer in healthy and hopeful ways."

Online, printable PDF available at http://www.shopkomen.com/PDF/KOMEED006300.pdf

Worldcat: "When Mom gets cancer all of the family's routines are disrupted, but with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and rest, she eventually gets well enough to do the things they did before she got sick."

Worldcat: "Clare keeps a journal that describes the medical treatments her mother undergoes for breast cancer, her family's experiences, and her own feelings and concerns. Includes a list of resources."

Written in a question and answer format this book is intended for kids ages 10-16 whose parents are undergoing cancer treatment. The illustrations are below the text level

Worldcat: "Provides basic information essential to understanding a cancer diagnosis, explains radiation and chemotherapy, and emphasizes that everyone's cancer is different."

Worldcat: "A little girl deals with her mother's breast cancer, masectomy, and breast reconstruction."

Worldcat: "Provides detailed photographs to help young children understand how cancer affects people and how it is fought. A family faces mom's cancer and medical treatments with a huge hair-shaving party. Touching and humorous photographs follow Mom (Debbie) as she and her family go through each step of fighting cancer."