Unique Children's Holiday Books with Themes of Inclusivity, Illness, Healing, and Grief
* This image uses the old name for the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list.
While I typically chose a medical diagnosis or experience and find all the resouces I can about that, I decided to go a different route this week. I took a deep dive into holiday books to see what I could find that would support important conversations with kids or if there were books that were inclusive of holiday experiences that included illness or grief.
I found a several, though they are pretty different, so make sure to read below to find the ones that fit your child/situation, AND I will also say that there is a lot of room out there for new books about inlcude illness and holiday joy - in case that is inspiring to all of you future authors.
If your holiday or the holiday of someone you know will be different because of a hospital stay, new diagnosis or other family stress, I hope that you can find some meaning, connection, and smiles in some of these titles. (Once again, I am including links so that you can check these books out - for some of them, I do receive a commission if you buy the book. No extra cost for you and the author still receives the full amount!) Please also note that I shared several holiday/grief books on my November 26 book update. So check out that one if you are looking for more grief holiday books.
One quick business item: Next week, I may post my List Update a day or two early, as I also do a Child Life Giveaway on Christmas Eve. Next week, will be focused on holiday distraction books in the hospital, but stay tuned on New Year's Eve when I'll get back to books on more specific and educational topics!
Finding Christmas by Lezlie Evans
This is a sweet story about three animal friends who are planning on having a simple, but festive Christmas. As they prepare, they find a very sick sparrow out in the snow. They bring the sparrow in and then use their gifts for each other as ways to help the sparrow. In the end, the sparrow heals, and they all enjoy Christmas together. The book focuses on the important parts of Christmas - taking care of each other. Again, this might be a book that a kiddo connects with if their loved one is sick and Christmas is different this year. A family could follow up by talking about the things that matter and find simple things that still make the time feel special. Good for young children up to early elementary. (No religious references and no Santa references - only simple decorating and simple gifts)
https://amzn.to/4s28ZSs
The Broken Ornament by Teri Terilizzi
This book is about a little boy who is obsessed with decorating for Christmas because it might get him presents faster. Trying to add even more to the tree, and not listening to his parents, he drops a special ornament and it breaks. His mom is very sad. He then encounters a Christmas fairy who can make his festive dreams come true, but she can not bring back the ornament. The boy learns that his mother got the ornament from his great grandmother who has died. The boy feels bad, but quickly comes up with a plan and makes a new ornament for his mom. He draws a picture of her and her grandma on the ornament. This book could be important for grievers who have special items that they use to feel close to someone. Items get broken and get lost. This book can remind children that the item itself isn’t always as important as finding other ways to preserve the memories. It could also be a book that could be read as a family talks about changing memorial traditions, normalizing finding new ways to remember. Good for young children through early elementary school. (No religious references except the traditions of decorating for Christmas and Santa)
https://amzn.to/44x8AO1
Spike: The Penguin with the Rainbow Hair by Sarah Cullen and Carmen Ellis
This is a story of a penguin who, you guessed it, is born with rainbow hair. Of course as a young penguin, he doesn’t want to be different than the other penguins. So he tries lots of different ways to cover it or change it, but it just doesn’t work. In the end, his friends share that they like his rainbow hair and he learns to accept it. The book is written to be appropriate for a large variety of differences and kids/families, while giving the general message that differences aren’t bad. It’s great to just be who you are. Good for young children through early elementary and appropriate for any physical, mental, cultural or family difference. (No religious themes - just wintery!)
https://amzn.to/4pKzM4m
The Little Red Sleigh by Erin Guendelsberger
This is a sweet story about a small sled who dreams of being Santa’s sleigh. She attempts the trip to the North Pole getting help from a friendly train and truck, but she doesn’t make it in time. Instead she is found by a girl who she is perfectly sized for. She spends that Christmas making the little girl happy and gets a letter from Santa inviting her to the North Pole next year. While there are no major medical or hospital themes, this story could be perfect for kids who aren’t experiencing the Christmas they wanted this year or who feel like they aren’t enough. The book teaches taking your time and appreciating your current self. Good for young children through early elementary school. (No religious references except the Christmas tradition of Santa)
https://amzn.to/44vmEaE
Needles, The Forgotten Christmas Tree
This is a story of a small and slightly bare Christmas tree. The tree is not purchased because he is not as pretty as the other trees. The tree farmer gives it to someone who already has a tree and so the tree sits on the curb with a “free tree” sign. A child heading home from the hospital for Christmas finds it and her family brings it home. They decorate the tree with what they have and the small size is the perfect fit for the child with the wheel chair. Again, there are not any huge medical lessons to be had, but I appreciate stories that reflect that not every Chrismtas has to look a certain way to be special. Kids who spend time in the hospital and whose families don't have the time or money to do ALL the holiday stuff, might appreciate a book that celebrates the simple. Good for young children through middle elementary school. (No religious references besides the tradition of decorating trees for Christmas)
https://amzn.to/3MEbhXP
Rudy’s Windy Christmas by Helen Baugh & Ben Mantle
Pure silliness. This book is perfect for the fart lovers in your home or maybe even a kiddo with tummy troubles who can relate. In the book, Rudie (Rudolph) eats the sprouts from Santa’s plate before they leave for present delivery. He farts all around the world. The book uses a variety of silly words to describe the farts, which for some kids, will be comedic gold. In the end, the elves have even struggled because Ms. Claus ate the sprouts too. It would be a fun book to have in a GI waiting room or as a distraction in the hospital that may lead to a few smiles. Might be a good book to reinforce the importance of avoiding certain foods for kids with food intolerances. Good for any child that appreciates fart humor. (no religious references - but the book is about the Santa part of Christmas)
I’m only finding it on Amazon used (but affordable!)
https://amzn.to/3YxpKra
I found it new here:
https://www.abebooks.com/9780807571736/Rudys-Windy-Christmas-Baugh-Helen-0807571733/plp
Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor: A Story for Hanukkah
This story is about Judah, big brother to little Hannah. Like all big brothers, Judah is slightly annoyed, but mostly protective of his little sister. He receives a toy shield that he uses to playfully protect her. The book uses the story of Judah from the Torah to explain the shield. There are also small references to Hanakkuh, but it is not a major part of the story. Then both children are due for doctor visits. Judah needs to get a shot, but doesn’t want to. His father tells him that his sister is too young to get shots and that getting a shot is one way that Judah can protect her from getting new germs from him. This is an important concept for children to understand, as otherwise shots can just seem like torture, but I do want to interject a bit of a “word of warning” with this story. While I think getting vaccinations to keep everyone health is important, it is also important for children to understand that it is the adult caregiver’s job to decide whether getting a shot is the right thing for him and his family. The book made it seem like it was Judah’s choice which may be confusing to some kids who would like to opt out of shots. It would also be nice to point out to the reader that the shot will be good for Judah’s health too… he is helping his own body and his sisters. Good for young children through early elementary. (a few religious references and short story from a religious text, but the story would make sense to kids of all cultures/religions)
https://amzn.to/45eZp4T
Get Well, Santa
This is a simple story about Santa getting ready for Christmas with his animal friends. Santa can’t stop sneezing. So his animal friends send him to bed and finish getting everything ready. By morning, Santa feels better and is able to deliver toys. The book ends with one his friends starting to get sick. This book is simple and doesn’t talk too much about Santa’s illness, but it might be a relatable tale if your child is sick over Christmas. One note - this book says “Bless you” a lot - after sneezes, but also as a response to the animals’ help. There is nothing else religious in this book, but it might be a phrase that children need help understanding, if your family doesn’t use this phrase. This book would be good for young children up to early elementary. Good for young children through early elementary school. (No religious references except for the use of the phrase “Bless you” and the Christmas tradition of Santa)
-I was shocked to find this book very hard to find. It must be out of print, but it looks like there are still some good used copies still on the internet. If you find it in print somewhere, please let me know and I will add a link!
Twas My Type of Christmas: A Type 1 Diabetes Christmas Story by Mick Suarez
This book is a perfect Christmas book for a kid with Type 1 diabetes. In the book, the child has diabetes, but so does Santa and the reindeer. The book mentions things like their pumps, logging their carbs, exercise, and insulin. In the book, Santa leaves the boy a note praising how well he takes care of himself and another note praising his sister as well. The child will likely get that this different version was made just for kids with diabetes, but it can be a great way to talk about the ways their Christmas is different or just to normalize the roles that all of these items plan in their life. Great for young diabetics (and siblings/friends). (There is no religion content except the Christmas tradition of Santa)
https://amzn.to/3KMfEj5
Super Sammy: A Type 1 Christmas by Josh
This book is about a young child and his dog who have Type 1 Diabetes. They do a few different things to get ready for the holiday season, but have to stop to treat the child’s low sugar or high sugar. The story is simple and shows the child as a hero for taking good care of their body. This would be good for young diabetics who are learning to listen to their bodies or who need reminders to pay attention to their blood sugars. Sammy is not defined as a boy or a girl and no other family members are show - other than the dog. This may make it easier for some kids to see themselves in the character. (There is no religious content except decorating, gift giving and baking for the holiday season)
https://amzn.to/44rAhru
