Children's Books That Explain Cancer
* This images shows the old name for the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list.
Ug, cancer. My own home state of Iowa has the fastest growing rate of cancer with 21,000 new cases in 2024 and an estimated 6,100 people dying of cancer.
My life has been affected personally and professionally by cancer, and I can speak from experience when I say ‘a diagnosis can be so overwhelming’. There are so many pieces to it, but when kids are involved, another overwhelming task is explaining it all to a child while supporting their feelings and coping with your own fears and emotions.
To assist with this task, there are several cancer-explaining children’s books out there. When it comes to ‘cancer books’, different books serve different purposes. Some are dated or misleading, some tell the story of one person’s cancer which could be very different from the cancer that you are dealing with. So today, I am mostly
sharing some cancer books don’t tell a story, but rather help adults give explanations that support their own story. These books could be used for pediatric cancer or for kids affected by an adult’s cancer.
I have personally read all of these books and will give you some insight below. (In future weeks, I will share additional resources that are more specialized and offer other perspectives and experiences.)
The Dot Method by Kelsey Mora
Written by a Child Life Specialist! This book is a hands-on tool that gives kids a simple, yet solid understanding of cancer. This workbook will assure your family’s understanding is beyond surface level. Each page adds a simple piece of the cancer puzzle assuring that the child understands one aspect before moving on to the next. By giving the child simple ways to draw what is happening and asking the child to ask questions, this book keeps kids engaged and meets them where they are. This book would be great for a child with cancer or a child affected by someone else’s cancer. (Could be appropriate for preschool through upper elementary)
https://amzn.to/4iTBoWX
You can learn more about this author, this workbook, and future projects at @childlifetherapist and at @themethodworkbooks
What Happens When a Kid has Cancer by Sara Olsher
What Happens When Someone I Love Has Cancer by Sara Olsher
These two books may have the best explanation of cancer that I’ve read! They both do a nice job finding a balance between a playful tone and concrete and real explanations. They acknowledge lots of common questions or feelings in a way that kids will connect to. I recommend any child being affected by cancer!
(I do have to point out as a Child Life Specialist that there is one page in the book about kid’s cancer about central lines and ports that might need some clarification by an adult. 😊) (best for elementary school kids)
'Kid': https://amzn.to/3KNP4pz
'Someone I Love': https://amzn.to/3KnUibG
Cancer Party! By Sara Olsher
This book explains cancer and treatments in a factual, yet playful way. This can give families the mutual vocabulary to talk about cancerr as they navigate diagnosis, scans, and treatments. The playful kid-like language makes it a little more engaging than other factual books, but it also might need a little clarification from caregivers. You know your kid best! (Ages preschool through elementary)
https://amzn.to/494W4Yv
What is Leukemia? By Adrienne O’Connor and Caitlin McNamara
What is a Bone Marrow Transplant? By Adrienee O’Connor and Caitlin McNamara
All cancer is NOT the same. These books are specific resources for families. One about leukemia, and one about a bone marrow transplant. When books are specifically created about one diagnosis, they are able to answer more questions and give more detailed explanations. What is Leukeumia? explains blood cells and leukemia cells and their treatments. The book also specifically talks about different common side effects and how it might feel when you have leukemia. What is a Bone Marrow Transplant? Helps kids understand what a bone marrow transplant is and how it helps someone. I would recommend this book for a child who knows someone having a transplant. If the child is having it themselves, they will likely need additional information and questions answered by a child life specialist and medical team. I appreciate that these books were created in a way that doesn’t represent one family or one experience. It is appropriate for any family! (Ages preschool-upper elementary)
Leukemia: https://amzn.to/3KtaNDj
Bone Marrow Transplant: https://amzn.to/48MNQ5Q
These books are also written by child life specialists. If you want more information about these books and access to other CCLS created resources, check out https://childcorefamilysupport.com.
