Children’s Books About Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
While there are growing number of books that support this population, I am only sharing books that I have personally read and can stand by the words, images, and messages shared.
I am thankful to have found books about some of the logistical pieces of having cleft lip/palate, but also about finding ways to deal with the things people say and do. Whether you are just finding out that your baby will have a cleft lip/palate or it is something your child has dealt with for many years, there is a book to support you. Read below to find out more about each title.
As always, I have included to help you find these resources. I do make a small commission if you buy through the link, but there is no extra cost to you (and the author still makes the same commission!).
The Sparkle You Carry: A Cleft Lip and Palate Journey by Stacy Swope
This book tells the story of a boy who was born with a cleft lip and palate. In the story, he has already experienced several surgeries before, but now he has to miss some school for his next planned surgery, a bone graft. Sam is not looking forward to it and even though he has a good team, he still just wants to be back in school. The book talks through some of the details of his rehab like drinking smoothies and avoiding sports. It focuses on something his mom tells him about kids who have to experience hard things. She explains to him that it is like they are wearing a backpack and each hard thing they go through puts some sparkle into the backpack. At the end of the book, the boy notices some of the kind and different kids and how they “glow”. It seems that the goal is to teach kids that going through hard things makes them special, tough, and kind. It is left to be general enough that any hardship could lead to a sparkle. This is an interesting take on these challenges. I can see it being a good way for caregivers to talk to children when they are going through hard things, especially cleft lip and palate kids. I do think that it might make the book awkward for classrooms or groups of kids, in a way that it might imply that some kids are more special than others.
https://amzn.to/3ZHOmhC
Jack’s New Smile: Having a Baby with a Cleft Lip and Palate by Ruth Trivelpiece, Suzane West, and Jennifer Rhodes
This book is about a big sister who has a new baby brother. The baby was born with a cleft lip and palate. The adults in her world help her understand what a cleft lip and palate means. They explain that it just didn’t grow together in their mom’s stomach. Her baby brother has surgery. She stays with her grandparents. Surgery is explained on a very simple level and her brother comes home with his lip fixed. She remembers that she needs to be careful and to help out. This book is great for young children. The text is simple and it covers most of the things kids need to know without a lot of extras. I would recommend it for any young sibling of a cleft palate/lip baby. If the baby doesn’t have both, I think caregivers could easily explain the differences and still use this resource. Good for young children through early elementary.
https://amzn.to/4kHK17O
These Lips by Julie Cwir
A sweet simple children’s book with positive phrases about cleft lip/palate. The illustrations show animals with clefts. The book does mention being “heavensent”, but the book is not religious in any other way. This book doesn’t prepare kids for any sort of medical care, but instead, instills positive self-image in a playful way. Good for young children through preschool.
https://amzn.to/40lXdpj
My Extraordinary Face by Marissa Suchyta and Samir Mardini
This book is full of simple positive statements about faces: the feelings they show, the commonalities and the differences. The illustrations in the book show people with a variety of face differences including birth marks/ skin differences and cleft lip/ structural differences. More than anything, this book talks about other people staring, being mean, and asking questions. It offers ways to deal with that including building a confidence bubble, addressing their questions, and having a plan. There are a lot of actionable steps including examples at the end of the book. I can definitely see how it would inspire conversation and offer choices. The book could be used to talk about self-acceptance and coping or to share with peers who might need help understanding and appreciating. Great for young children through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/3ZDzjWh
These books have been listed under Otolaryngology (ENT) on the list.
