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Cancer is such a debilitating and sudden disease that when kids get hit, they often need children’s books about cancer to understand what’s happening to their bodies.
Author Dora Przybylek has a book titled “Luisita is Sick,” one of the best children’s books with disabled characters who remain strong and happy despite their circumstances. The story lets children and parents understand their situation and put love at the center. It certainly is worth a read for any parent or child who can relate to Luisita.
In light of this, we’ve put together a list of books for kids of various ages that will explain cancer and its impacts.
Patrice Karst’s “The Invisible String”
The “Invisible String” tackles separation and offers a mechanism for families to keep in touch, even if it is not specifically about cancer. When a loved one is receiving treatment or in the hospital, this book can provide kids with a sense of connection to that person.
It can also be beneficial if a youngster has separation anxiety because they must leave home, friends, or relatives to attend school.
Bradley Snyder and Marc Engelsgjerd’s “What Every Child Needs to Know About Cancer”
This straightforward board book discusses cancer using simple, kid-friendly language and illustrations. Additionally, it alleviates some kids’ most prevalent worries, such as “Is it my fault?” and “Can I get cancer?”
Todd Parr’s “Feelings”
Young children can use this simple picture book to name and categorize their emotions. The beautiful and straightforward illustrations enable kids to think about their feelings and serve as a tool for having safe and enjoyable conversations about emotions.
Dora Przybylek’s “Luisita is Sick”
When talking about children’s books about cancer, “Luisita is Sick” is one of the best children’s books with disabled characters. This wonderful tale of a girl with cancer and the love and care she receives from her family is told in this bilingual children’s book that has won numerous awards.
The book was created to assist both parents, and their children in coping with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Every child or parent with cancer should get the book and read the story.
Sara Olsher’s “What Happens When a Kid Has Cancer”
The world is turned upside down when a youngster is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, medical professionals—including nurses, child life professionals, and many technical terminologies that could make anyone’s head spin—take over our lives (and thoughts).
It only takes adding severe worry and anxiety to create the most challenging period in a family’s existence. The book “What Happens When a Kid Has Cancer” is aimed to reduce the stress and uncertainty accompanying a child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Mark Unger’s First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
First Survivor is a moving true story about a family’s battle with illness and the impossibility of a miracle that enabled their son to survive childhood cancer. This suspenseful story centers on a family’s fight to keep their young kid from receiving a “zero chance of survival” prognosis.
Louis Unger would embark on a five-year war for his young life with the assistance of the top doctors in the world and his parents’ support. His perseverance and inspiring outlook resulted in a discovery that altered how cancer is treated.
Sarah Bankuti and Kristina Dutton’s “Princess Lily Earns Her Beads”
“Princess Lily Earns Her Beads: A Book for Children with Cancer and Their Friends” is a work of fiction in fantasy and self-help. Author Sarah Bankuti wrote it with pictures by artist Kristina Dutton. It is geared toward both young readers who are autonomous and those who might need a little assistance from an adult.
It’s astonishing how much crucial, highly relatable information can be covered in a few pages. But this endearing and well-paced illustrated book does so with excellent tact and truth while discussing early cancer therapy and diagnosis.
Helping Kids by Introducing Children’s Books About Cancer
Watching a child get cancer and suffer from it is something that no parent, guardian, or family member shouldn’t experience. Cancer is so insidious and deadly that most of us wouldn’t know we had it until it was too late.
Children’s books with disabled characters that focus on people living with cancer, such as “Luisita is Sick,” helps provide insight for the child to know about the disease. If you’re looking for another children’s book-related topic, try reading our blog “How Children’s Books Create a Difference Amid Digital Age.”
Alex Writes 