cancer is confusing and it’s hard to find the right words to help a child understand such a difficult disease. While we can’t tell you exactly what to say, we hope these books give you a good starting point for open and honest communication. The list includes insightful and educational stories to help your entire family find comfort and inspiration when it’s needed most.
books for children facing a cancer diagnosis
“my cancer days” by courtney filigenzi
You are reading: Children’s books about cancer
Helping children with cancer cope with their illness, this picture book addresses their emotions from diagnosis to treatment in a way they can easily understand and can help describe what they’re feeling. In the story, a girl uses color to express her full range of emotions as she undergoes cancer treatment. winner of the international book awards 2016, child mind/body/spirit.
“oncology, stupology” by marilyn hershey
This delightfully illustrated picture book is for children (of all ages) battling cancer. the story is wonderfully interwoven with humor and brightly colored imagery; as it takes you through the true emotional frustrations of a child being in the hospital.
“be the boss of your pain” by timothy culbert, md and rebecca kajander, cpnp, mph
speaks to kids ages eight and up with this message: Your body, mind, and spirit, working together, have amazing abilities to help you control how your body feels, even when you’re in pain.
When you’re in pain, you often start to feel bad in other ways, too. you may have low energy, not sleep well, or have no appetite. you might get cranky or bored and worry. you might even feel disconnected or hopeless. when you start having these problems, being the boss of your body can help. (related reading: “be the boss of your stress”).
“the long and short part” by shennen bersani
With colorful illustrations and a heartwarming message, this picture book follows the parallel stories of two girls with hair problems. one wants her hair to grow longer, while the other, who lost her hair during cancer treatment, would simply like to get it back. Their friendship leads them to a new understanding of hair loss and giving, and teaches them about courage, generosity, and pride. Also included is a helpful reading and discussion guide for parents and a list of fun and related learning activities for kids.
“draw it” & “ink about it” by art with heart
See Also: 18 Best Books on Finding Your Passion and Purpose in Life
“draw it” is a therapeutic activity book for elementary and middle school students with complex and confusing emotions. Developed under the guidance of 27 mental health experts, the age-appropriate, research-based messages serve as a springboard for courageous conversations, helping children develop strategies for healing.
“ink about it” is a therapeutic activity book that uses creative expression to help high school youth cope with difficult circumstances. “ink about it” was developed in collaboration with experts in the field of mental health and features a combination of writing and art prompts, combining therapeutic modalities with world-class illustrations to support high school students as they develop an understanding of themselves and their emotions.
books for children dealing with a family member’s cancer diagnosis
“our family has cancer” by christine clifford
When their mother is diagnosed with cancer, sixth grader Tim and his younger brother visit her in the hospital, where they learn about radiation, chemotherapy, and help with the housework.
“because… someone I love has cancer” from the American Cancer Society
This inspiring publication is designed to address the basic goals of therapeutic support for children who have a loved one with cancer. Featuring five self-sharpening crayons to inspire creativity, this activity book also includes a 16-page pull-out guide for caregivers with family and group activities, as well as activities that offer ways to discover inner strengths and improve self-esteem.
books for children dealing with cancer at school
“the smile of victory” by rita geller
When victoria, the new girl in class, is shunned by her classmates for her looks, her mother comes to school one day to explain victoria’s battle with cancer so they understand.
“bringing cancer to school” (special series for kids at school) by kim gosselin
This beautifully illustrated, fun-to-read storybook simplifies and normalizes complicated childhood conditions like cancer. when read aloud, other children can identify why a peer may be treated differently and begin to empathize with them. In addition, children whose conditions distinguish them as different begin to feel accepted and safe.
books to cope with a sibling’s cancer diagnosis
“what about me, when my brothers and sisters get sick?” by allen peterkin, md
See Also: Why Self-Help Books Don’t Work (And How To Nevertheless Benefit From Them)
When a child is seriously ill, siblings experience mixed emotions and hurt feelings, and wonder about the future. In this moving story, the narrator, a confused young woman, expresses all these concerns when her brother goes to the hospital for an extended stay.
“oliver’s story: for the ‘siblings’ of children with cancer” by michael dodd
This book tells the story of a boy. But there is an important story to tell for every brother or sister of a child with cancer. That’s because when you find out your brother or sister has cancer, life can suddenly turn upside down.
children’s books to cope with the loss of a loved one
“and they still bloom” by amy rovere
In response to the fact that coping with the death of a parent can be especially difficult for young children, this beautifully written and illustrated book is a valuable resource for parents and counselors. Ten-year-old Emily and seven-year-old Ben must deal with the loss of their mother to cancer. Guided by conversations with their father, they embark on a journey of grief and healing, each searching for a path to acceptance.
fiction novels for teens and tweens:
“drums, girls and dangerous cake” by jordan sonnenblick
steven has a totally normal life (well, almost). he plays drums in the all-town jazz band (whose members call him the “redneck”), has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn’t even know he’s alive), and is teased by his younger brother. constantly. jeffrey (who is cuter than cute, which is also pretty annoying). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven’s world is turned upside down and he is forced to deal with his brother’s illness, his parents’ attempts to keep the family in one piece, his homework, the band, the girls. and the dangerous cake. (related reading: “after always”).
“i’m not her” by janet gurtler
tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful and athletic sister. and that’s okay kristina is the sporty one, tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, all eager for updates. there are older guys flirting with her. but, her perfect family’s smiles are cracking and her sister could be dying. now tess has to fulfill a new role: the strong one. Because if she can’t take it, who will?
“The Bald Princess: Cancer, Chemotherapy, and Courage” by Maribeth R. ditmars
With her parents by her side and new friends telling her dirty jokes, eleven-year-old outgoing “soccer princess” Izzie learns to cope with her leukemia diagnosis and treatment.
the roswell park resource center for patients and families has a lending library for your convenience. visit us to find these titles and learn more about additional tools to help your child cope with cancer.
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