What Is Cancer Anyway?: Explaining Cancer to Children of All Ages

Features

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Cover Type: Paperback with 32 pages
• Published by: Dragonfly Publishing January 1, 1998
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0966782046
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0966782042
• Book Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Weighs: 4 ounces

Product Description
What IS Cancer, Anyway? Explaining Cancer to Children of All Ages is one of the books in the Barklay and Eve Children's Book Series. This book provides basic information that is essential when someone in the family has cancer and does so in a calm, clear, reassuring manner that children and adults will appreciate. Barklay and Eve, the two lovable main characters, define cancer, explain radiation and chemotherapy (including the reasons why some people loose their hair). This is a hopeful story which has a fun connect-the -dots page of the American Cancer Sociey's symbol of hope. THIS BOOK IS ENDORSED BY HURRICANE VOICES, A BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION.

Reader Reviews
My daughter has leukemia, a blood cancer. I was in search of books that would explain the disease process and a way for her to talk about some of what was going on. I thought this would be a good book. I was wrong! Pros: this book includes an extended family (parents, kids, grandparents) and talks about the cancer simply and directly; addressing a few emotional concerns such as "can I kiss grandpa?" and "will I get sick too?". Cons: the "kids" are drawn as dogs and the adults as humans. My bright 4 year old daughter asked why and how could puppies come from humans - and I had no good answer than to say the author stretched their imagination (I then had to explain that humans could only give birth to human babies). If the author wanted the family to be "mixed" why not use different ethnicities? At least then the characters would be the same species! Also, the book didn't address the physical side effects too well or give a way for the sick child to address their concerns of being ill, looking different, and most importantly - the possiblity of death. If you need something for your sick child, get Chemo Girl by Christina Richmond. It is written by a 9 year old girl who had cancer. The book address feelings in conjunction with the chemo treatments while making the ill child heroic and knowing that s/he isn't alone in their fight for their lives. Also check out the American Cancer Society workbook. It is aimed for kids with sick parents, but the questions can be directed to sick children as well. There is one more book whose title I can't remember, but it has a Cancer Team approach as well and explains the treatments in a more friendly and simple way.