Addressing Common Pediatric Concerns Through Children’s Books
2000; American Academy of Pediatrics; Volume: 21; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1542/pir.21.4.130
ISSN1529-7233
Autores Tópico(s)Child and Adolescent Health
ResumoBooks about common pediatric concerns read to or by children can serve several purposes: 1) provide accurate information, 2) normalize feelings and experiences, 3)facilitate conversations between parents and children about difficult topics,4) help children develop strategies to cope with complex situations, and 5) develop understanding and empathy for children coping with a variety of circumstances.Our recommended list of books is based on how regularly we have received requests for book suggestions from parents, children,students, residents, and clinicians. There is a virtual explosion of books for children, and it is impossible to be inclusive either of all possible topics or of particular books within each topic. In some topic areas few books are available (eg, smoking);in others the vast array makes it very difficult and sometimes overwhelming to make a reasoned choice (eg, death or illness).An informal survey of community pediatricians yielded specific direction for the choice of topic areas. We have included books that address new babies, adoption, sibling rivalry/sibling love, puberty and sexuality, divorce, eating problems,learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance abuse, depression and mental illness,illness and disabilities, family violence, and death. Other topics deserve similar lists, such as descriptions of doctor and dentist visits and the process of physical examination, anatomy and physiology, child development, and specific parenting practices. We have not included videotapes or books in languages other than English.We have assembled a list of books that we think are among the best in each content area, although not necessarily the only excellent examples. We have included books appropriate for children of all ages and for the adults who care for them. Many of these books go out of print very quickly and may be accessed best through libraries. For the most current information, we suggest that parents seek help at local libraries, at bookstores, or through Internet resources. We would like to hear about books that others have found helpful and appealing. We based our selection of these particular books on the following criteria, as well as on subjective decisions about the books we found most appealing and appropriate.The titles listed in this article are examples of the many books that meet our six basic criteria. We have provided a short description that we hope will aid in the selection process.We have assembled an idiosyncratic list of books that address common concerns of children and families. Most are fiction written for children of various ages; some are essays in which children describe their experience. This compilation reflects our belief that books can help children to understand and manage their own life experiences and to appreciate the experiences of others. We also believe that children’s books read aloud or together wcan help families to discuss issues that are important to them but often difficult to introduce and direct.We intend the few books we list for adults to support parents,teachers, and others who care for children by providing an embellished understanding of their experiences. Although neither the children’s books nor the adults’ books we have selected are the only excellent examples available, we consider them to meet high standards in both content and production. We would like to hear about books that others have found helpful about these or other topics of concern to children and families.A Baby Sister for Frances; Russell Hoban; 1964;ages 3 to 6; fiction. Frances, the older sister in this family of loving badgers, decides to run away to escape the doldrums of living with a new baby.Julius, Baby of the World; Kerin Henkes; 1990; ages 3 to 6; fiction. Julius’ older sister declares him hateful until her cousin agrees. Illustrations are outstanding. Kids will identify with these realistic feelings.Arthur’s Baby; Marc Brown; 1990; ages 3 to 6;fiction. Arthur’s mom, dad, and sister are thrilled with the expectation of a new baby. Arthur is not sure until he is the one to stop her from crying.Everett Anderson’s Nine Months Long; Lucille Clifton; 1987; ages 3 to 6; fiction. In a dialogue of very few words, a preschool African-American child learns that his mother and stepfather always will love him.101 Things To Do With A Baby; Jan Ormerod; 1994;ages 3 to 6; nonfiction. Round, rosy drawings illustrate the many ways young children can interact with the new arrival safely and happily.Welcoming Your Second Baby; Vicki Lansky; 1998;adults; nonfiction. Nicely formatted with quick information bites, this book offers tips for handling the mother’s hospitalization, defusing jealousy, and including the older child in the process.And Baby Makes Four: Welcoming a Second Child Into the Family; Hilory Wagner; 1998; adults;nonfiction. Practical guidelines for dealing with older children when a new baby arrives. A survival guide for avoiding sibling rivalry.How I Was Adopted; Joanna Cole 1995; ages 3 to 6;fiction. As the cover reads, “This story is a happy one.… It is not a ‘problem’ book.” Includes a nice description of how babies are born.Susan and Gordon Adopt a Baby; Judy Freudberg and Tony Geiss; 1986; ages 3 to 6; fiction. Using the Sesame Street characters, a nice story of welcoming a new baby. Not the most eloquently written, but kids will recognize the television characters.Over The Moon; Karen Katz; 1997; ages 3 to 6;fiction. Parents’ dream about the baby they are waiting for. Chagall-like illustrations; text contains lots of emotion with less content.An Mei’s Strange and Wonderful Journey; Stephan Molnar-Fenton; 1998; ages 3 to 7; fiction. Gorgeous illustrations of China and New England tell the story of An Mei’s travels from birth to her new home in America.Real Sisters; Susan Wright; 1995; ages 6 to 10;fiction. Claire, adopted from China, doesn’t look like Jenny. A heartwarming examination of what it means to be a sister.We Don’t Look Like Our Mom and Dad; Harriet Langsam Sobel; 1984; ages 6 to 14; nonfiction. Two Korean boys have questions about their adoption. Warm, but factual tone; realistic photos depicting kids from 6 to 14 years of age.Journey; Patricia MacLachlan; 1991; ages 8 to 12;fiction. Two preteens struggle to understand why their mother has left them forever. Heartbreaking and hopeful.The Pinballs; Betsy Byars; 1977; ages 10 to 14;fiction. Three children, rejected by their parents, learn to trust each other in an accepting foster home. Humorous and poignant.The Great Gilly Hopkins; Catherine Patterson; 1988;ages 12 to 14; fiction. A classic story about a preteenager’s acceptance into a foster home.How It Feels To Be Adopted; Jill Krementz; 1983;ages 14 to adult; nonfiction. Twenty adopted children tell their stories with honesty and insight.Parents At Last: Celebrating Adoption and the New Pathways to Families; Cynthia Peck and Wendy Wilkinson; 1998; adults; nonfiction. Vignettes celebrate 32 couples and individuals who persevered to adopt,often in the face of formidable odds. Many varieties of families are exemplified: traditional, single, gay, cancer survivors, international, and multiracial.The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child; Nancy Verrier; 1993; adults; nonfiction. A serious discussion of the concerns common to many adopted children that clarifies the effects of separation from the birth mother as a source of feelings of abandonment and loss.The Very Worst Monster; Pat Hutchins; 1985; ages 3 to 10; fiction. Nobody noticed Hazel Monster any more, until she gave her new brother away. Hilarious illustrations and the competition for being the “worst”make this a fresh and pleasurable reading experience.I’ll Fix Anthony; Judith Viorst; 1969; ages 5 to 10;fiction. When Nicholas’ older brother is mean to him,Nick dreams about the revenge he will get when he turns 6. Humorous and authentic prose with irreverent drawings.The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo; Judy Blume; 1981; ages 6 to 10; fiction. The “middle” child in this family of school-age children feels ignored until he gets the part of the purple kangaroo in the third-grade play.Later, Gater; Laurence Yep; 1995; ages 8 to 12;fiction. When brothers join forces to keep their parents from giving away their pet alligator, they discover wonderful traits about each other. Yep, who is Chinese-American, peppers this realistic story with the nuances of life in Chinatown.Who Put That Hair In My Toothbrush?; Jerry Spinelli; 1994; ages 11 to 15; fiction. Seventh-grader Megin and ninth-grader Greg cannot get along for 1 minute. Spinelli alternates the perspective in each chapter, so the reader experiences the action through the eyes of both teenagers. Fathers will love this funny and sensitive dad.The Secret of Happy Children; Steve Biddulph;1997; adults; nonfiction. Using cartoons, examples, and an information bite format, the author offers concrete suggestions to nurture the whole family.Siblings Without Rivalry; Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish; 1986; adults; nonfiction. Delightful and classic guide to helping children get along. Filled with examples, cartoons, and useful strategies.Where Did I Come From?; Peter Mayle; 1977; ages 3 to 6; nonfiction. A classic book for preschoolers about sexuality.So That’s How I Was Born?; Robert Brooks; 1993;ages 3 to 6; nonfiction. Using a conversation with Joey,parents answer common questions about conception and birth. The book retains a sense of curiosity and excitement, while explaining the “facts of life” in understandable language.How Babies and Families Are Made; Patricia Schaffer; 1988; ages 3 to 7; nonfiction. Simple but factual text describes how babies are made, focusing on different types of families. Addresses birth parents, step parents, adoption, and artificial insemination.One Dad, Two Dads; Brown Dad, Blue Dad; Johnny Valentine; 1994; ages 3 to 6; fiction. A charming and humorous book that pokes fun at the notion that dads all look the same and that families have to include only one of them.Daddy’s Roommate; Michael Willhoite; 1991; ages 3 to 6; fiction. A delightfully illustrated picture book about a child who lives part time with his father and his father’s male partner. Describes in simple terms the loving relationships within this nontraditional family.Heather Has Two Mommies; Leslea Newman; 1991;ages 3 to 8; fiction. A classic story of a 3-year-old girl who is surprised when she discovers in a play group that not all children have two moms as she does, and some even have a daddy.Asha’s Mums; Rosamund Elwin and Michele Paulse;1990; ages 5 to 7; fiction. A delightful story relating a first grader’s need to describe her lesbian mothers to her teachers and classmates to counter their disbelief.How Would You Feel If Your Dad Was Gay?; 1994;Anne Heron and Meredith Maran; ages 6 to 12; fiction. A touching story that explores the feelings of three children growing up with lesbian and gay parents. It is both simple and complex, realistically portraying the prejudice, confusion, and self-doubt experienced by children who have gay parents.Asking About Sex and Growing Up; Joanna Cole;1988; ages 7 to 11; nonfiction. One of the few books for boys and girls in this age group that is reassuring and accurate.What’s Happening To Me?; Peter Mayle; 1975; ages 7 to 11; nonfiction. A straightforward look at puberty for boys and girls, using delightful cartoon-like illustrations.Zack’s Story; Keith Greenberg; 1996; ages 8 to 12;nonfiction. This essay, illustrated with photographs, is written by an 11-year-old boy whose parents are lesbian. Describes poignantly the complexity the child faces in understanding racism, divorce, lesbian relationships, and the stereotypes and prejudices that surround these various family circumstances. Puts homophobia in perspective with other stereotyping/stigmatizing circumstances.It’s A Girl Thing; Mavis Jukes; 1998; ages 9 to 12;nonfiction. Straightforward and funny. Answers questions girls wonder about—from buying bras to sexuality.It’s Perfectly Normal; Robie H. Harris; 1994; ages 11 to 14; nonfiction. A delightful description of the physiologic and psychological changes of puberty.Are You There, God, It’s Me, Margaret; Judy Blume;1991; ages 10 to 14; fiction. A 12-year-old thinks about boys, bras, God, and who will be first to get her period.Space Station 7th Grade; Jerry Spinelli; 1991; ages 10 to 14; fiction. A seventh-grade boy describes his adjustment to junior high: first love, first gym class shower, and first tryout for the football team. Hilarious. Some mature references.Then, Again, Maybe I Won’t; Judy Blume; 1986;ages 12 to 15; fiction. A 12-year-old thinks about his fascination with sex and worries about the changes in his body.Twelve Days in August; Liza Ketchum Murrow;1993; ages 12 to 16; fiction. A gripping novel about the ethical choices faced by a 16-year-old soccer star when issues of friendship, racism, and homophobia mix to create an intolerable dilemma.Two Teenagers In Twenty; Ann Heron; 1995; ages 13 to 16; nonfiction. A series of essays written by teenagers who describe their varied experiences with being gay or lesbian.Hearing Us Out; Roger Sutton; 1997; ages 13 to 18;nonfiction. Moving essays by gay and lesbian teenagers and adults that describe the difficulties and the successes of being gay and confronting homophobia in school, on the job, and in the family.Adolescence: The Survival Guide for Parents and Teenagers; Elizabeth Fenwick and Tony Smith; 1994;adults; nonfiction. Appealing format and writing style;addresses all typical adolescent issues and concerns.Now That You Know; Betty Fairchild and Nancy Hayward; 1989; adults; nonfiction. A straightforward guide for parents who have learned recently that a son or a daughter is homosexual. This is a classic book of information and support that counters many misconceptions and stereotypes about homosexuality.Sometimes a Family Has to Split Up. Jane Watson and Robert Switzer; 1988; ages 3 to 6; fiction. Cartoon-like illustrations and expressive language help a child understand that sometimes families are better off when they split up.It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear. Vicki Lansky; 1998;ages 3 to 6; fiction. A sensitive story explains why Koko’s Papa must get his own den. Excellent parent guide.Dinosaurs Divorce. Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown; 1986; ages 4 to 8; nonfiction. Brightly colored cartoon dinosaur families present a practical guide to divorce and answer many questions that children typically ask.I Live With Daddy; Judith Vigna; 1997; ages 6 to 10;fiction. Olivia learns to show her parents that she loves them equally.Divorce is Not the End of the World: Zoe and Evan’s Coping Guide for Kids; Zoe and Evan Stern;1997; ages 6 to 10; nonfiction. A down-to-earth book addressing feelings and issues from a child’s point of view. Wisdom, humor, and practical advice.Dear Mr. Henshaw; Beverly Cleary; 1983; ages 8 to 12; Newbury Award; fiction. Written as a series of letters and diary entries that span several years, Leigh comes to accept his relationships with both his custodial mom and his mostly absent father.How It Feels When Parents Divorce; Jill Krementz;1984; ages 8 to adult; nonfiction. Nineteen children describe the pain and confusion involved when their parents got divorced.Taking Sides; Norma Klein; 1974; ages 10 to 14;fiction. Belying the title, Klein creates two reasonable and sympathetic parents, and Nell adjusts to living with her father with only typical preteen anguish.It’s Not the End of the World; Judy Blume; 1972;ages 10 to 14; fiction. A straightforward, realistic description of the trauma of three school-age children as they go through the stormy breakup of their family.How To Help Your Child Overcome Divorce; Elissa Benedek; 1988; adults; nonfiction. A reader-friendly text that includes case studies, information on support services, and answers to commonly asked questions.Mom’s House, Dad’s House; Isolina Ricci; 1997;adults; nonfiction. Good guidebook for parents. A sensible, comprehensive, practical guide to the important issues that make it possible for children and parents to cope successfully with divorce. Includes guidance about how to maintain their roles as parents and minimize the negative effects of the divorce on children. Also contains legal issues, references, and self-study questions.Bread and Jam for Frances; Russell Hoban; 1993;ages 3 to 6; fiction. One of the delightful series about Frances the badger, who will eat only bread and jam,until her best friend spreads out his interesting school lunch.D.W., The Picky Eater; Marc Brown; 1995; ages 3 to 6; fiction. Another funny picture book in the “Arthur the Aardvark” series. Arthur’s sister, D.W., is a picky eater until she discovers the pleasures she is missing.Good Enough to Eat: A Kid’s Guide to Food and Nutrition; Lizzy Rockwell; 1999; ages 4 to 8;nonfiction. Bright, cheerful pictures focus on the value of eating right. Question-and-answer format.Blubber; Judy Blume; 1983; ages 10 to 14, fiction. A fifth grader joins with friends to humiliate the fattest girl in the class until the tables are turned on her.The Cat Ate My Gym Suit; Paula Danziger; 1988;ages 9 to 13; fiction. A poignant story about an overweight child who feels lonely and alienated.Taking Charge of My Mind & Body: A Girl’s Guide to Outsmarting Alcohol, Drug, Smoking and Eating Problems; Gladys Folkers and Jeanne Engelmann;1997; ages 10 to 14; nonfiction. Information and short essays about teenage girls dealing with issues of substance abuse and eating disorders.Perk! Liza Hall; 1997; ages 13 to 18; fiction. Perk(short for Priscilla) thinks her whole life would be better if only she were thinner. Very engaging story of a teenager who has bulimia.Nell’s Quilt; Susan Terris; 1987; ages 15 to adult;fiction. When 18-year-old Nell gives up her dreams to please her family, she decides to control the only thing she can: her eating. Sad but realistic portrayal of a teen’s slow deterioration into anorexia. An unclear ending leaves the reader to decide whether Nell lives.Anorexia: When Food is the Enemy; Erica Smith;1999; ages 12 to 18; nonfiction. Straightforward and appealing presentation of facts about the development and dangers of eating disorders. Nice photographs; lots of quotes from kids.The Best Little Girl In the World; Steven Levenkron;1978; ages 15 to adult; fiction. Although her dieting begins as a way to prove she’s a more beautiful dancer,15-year old Kessa is pulled into a terrifying obsession with weight loss that threatens to kill her. Captures the desperation of Kessa, her family, and the doctors who help her.My Sister’s Bones; Cathi Hanauer; 1996; ages 15 to adult; fiction. Sixteen-year-old Billie is watching her sister Cassie, a freshman at Cornell, starve herself. Meanwhile, Billie is struggling with typical teenage anxieties that surround growing up in upper middle class New Jersey. Lots of issues about friends, religion,and sex make this an intense, but relatively upbeat novel. Helpful to siblings of teenagers who have anorexia.When Food’s a Foe; Nancy Kolodny; 1998; ages 14 to 18; nonfiction. Description of eating disorders. Provides sympathetic advice to teens and parents about confronting eating problems and getting appropriate help.How to Get Your Kid To Eat, But Not Too Much;Ellyn Satter; 1987; adults; nonfiction. Basic guide for parents of young children.Surviving an Eating Disorder: Strategies for Families and Friends; Michelle Siegel; 1997; adults;nonfiction. A familyand community-centered approach to helping and living with someone suffering from an eating disorder.If the child has difficulty reading, suggest that parents read these books aloud.The Don’t-Give-Up Kid; Jeanne Gehret; 1996; ages 5 to 10; fiction. Alex learns about different learning styles and realizes that even famous and successful people have had learning disabilities.Charlie’s Challenge; Ann Root and Linda Gladden;1995; ages 7 to 12; fiction. A third grader learns why he can design an award-winning castle, but has trouble reading and spelling.Josh: A Boy With Dyslexia; Caroline Janover; 1997;ages 8 to 11; fiction. Despite the dull title, a well-written, heartwarming chapter book about a fifth grader who has trouble reading.The Baby-sitters’ Club #101: Claudia Kishi, Middle School Dropout; Ann M. Martin; 1996; ages 8 to 12;fiction. One of a series of very appealing chapter books for middle school-age children. An artistic teen who has learning problems is sent back to seventh grade.Do Bananas Chew Gum?; Jamie Gilson; 1980; ages 8 to 12; fiction. Humorous adventures, caring adults,and new friends convince 12-year-old Sam to get help for his reading problem.When Learning Is Tough: Kids Talk About Their Learning Disabilities; Cynthia Roby; 1994; ages 8 to 15;nonfiction. Culturally diverse children of various ages discuss their personal experiences. Photos; candid prose.The Mighty (formerly: Freak the Mighty); Rodman Philbrick; 1993; ages 10 to 14; fiction. This award-winning book follows Maxwell Kane, a giant-sized kid who has a gentle soul and whose biggest secret is that he cannot read. Wonderful story of triumph over imperfection.The Survival Guide For Kids with LD; Rhoda Cummings and Gary Fischer; 1990; ages 10 to 14;nonfiction. In this book, LD stands for “learning differences.”Practical guide; information bite format.All Kinds of Minds: A Young Student’s Book About Learning Disabilities and Learning Disorders; Mel Levin; 1993; ages 10 to 14; fiction. This chapter book follows five friends who have six learning problems:attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reading problems, memory problems, a language disorder, motor skills, and problems with social skills. Very appealing;self-esteem builder; needs to be read over time.Living With Learning Disabilities: A Guide For Students; David Hall; 1993; ages 12 to adult; nonfiction. A sophisticated discussion of issues faced by students confronting a learning disability.Shelly, The Hyperactive Turtle; Deborah Moss;1989; ages 3 to 9; fiction. Shelly learns why he cannot stay still and is helped by a “therapist” and a “little white pill.” Nicely written, although some details are not completely accurate.Jumpin’ Johnny, Get Back To Work: A Child’s Guide to Hyperactivity; Michael Gordon; 1995; ages 6 to 10;fiction. Johnny is diagnosed as having ADHD and is helped with medication and behavior modification. A “feel good” story from a child’s viewpoint.Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention; Kathleen Nadeau and Ellen Dixen; 1995; ages 6 to 12;nonfiction. Offers a family-centered, “read this together”approach to understanding ADHD. Good tips for management; cartoons; checklists.My Brother’s a World Class Pain: A Sibling’s Guide to ADHD; Michael Gordon; 1992; ages 8 to 14, fiction. Sensitive story shows how brothers and sisters can help their sibling who has ADHD.Putting On the Brakes: A Young People’s Guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD);Patricia Quinn and Judith Stern; 1992; ages 8 to 14;nonfiction. Nice explanation of medical, behavioral, and social aspects of ADHD. Information bite format; real photos; nice analogies.I Would If I Could: A Teenagers’ Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity;Michael Gordon; 1993; teens; nonfiction. A practical, realistic book that gives suggestions for dealing with teachers and parents.Life On The Edge: Parenting a Child With ADD/ADHD;David Spohn; 1998; adults; nonfiction. A small, lighthearted, but practical book.Taking Charge of ADHD; Russell Barkley, 1995;adults; nonfiction. Tips for everyone connected with a child who has ADHD from a leading expert in the field. Dispels myths, offers new theories, includes important management tools.Teenagers With ADD: A Parent’s Guide;Chris Zeigler Denoy; 1995, adults; nonfiction. Discusses strategies to help teenagers who have ADHD.Despite an intensive search, we could find few books that address smoking prevention.Think Of Wind; Catherine J. Mercury; 1996; ages 3 to 8; fiction. A delightful book describing a child’s feelings about and understanding of an alcoholic father.I Can Be Me; Diane O’Connor; 1990; ages 4 to 12;fiction. Several children describe what it is like growing up with family members who have chemical dependencies.I Can Say No; Doris Sanford; 1987; ages 6 to 9;fiction. A family discovers that a child is using drugs.My Big Sister Takes Drugs; Judith Vigna; 1995; ages 6 to 10; fiction. A sensitive tale of a family’s struggle with serious drug abuse by their teenage daughter, told from the naive perspective of her younger brother.Daddy Doesn’t Have To Be a Giant Anymore; Jane Resh Thomas; 1996; ages 6 to 10; nonfiction. A father denies his alcoholism, but a family intervention succeeds in getting him treated.I Know The World’s Worst Secret; Doris Sanford;1987; ages 8 to 10; fiction. A young girl grows up caring for her family because of her mother’s alcoholism.My Dad Loves Me; My Dad Has a Disease; Claudia Black; 1993; ages 6 to 12; nonfiction. A classic book now in its third edition. In workbook format, this book raises all the issues, including denial, addiction,unpredictability, anger, and shame, and presents possibilities for recovery.Sometimes My Mom Drinks Too Much; Kevin Kenny and Helen Krull; 1980; ages 8 to 12; nonfiction. A look at parental alcohol abuse from a child’s perspective.Taking Charge of My Mind & Body: A Girl’s Guide to Outsmarting Alcohol, Drug, Smoking and Eating Problems; Gladys Folkers and Jeanne Engelmann;1997; ages 10 to 14; nonfiction. Information and short essays about teenage girls dealing with issues of substance abuse and eating disorders.My Dad’s Definitely Not a Drunk; Elisa Lynn Carbone; 1992; ages 10 to 16; fiction. A teenage girl and her mother find a way to help the father with his alcohol abuse.Bread Sticks and Blessing Places; Candy Boyd;1985; ages 11 to 14; fiction. A poignant story about the disruption in the life of a 12-year-old African-American girl when her best friend is killed by a drunk driver.The Crossing; Gary Paulsen; 1990; ages 12 to adult;fiction. A sympathetic story describing alcoholism,loneliness, and friendship.Nicotine and Cigarettes; Barry McCaffrey and Steven Jaffe, 2000; ages 10 to adult; nonfiction. Factual, attractive, reader-friendly, nonpreachy text about the dangers of nicotine and how to break the addiction.A Right to Smoke?; Emma Haughton; 1996; ages 13 to adult; nonfiction. One of the Viewpoints series,this book offers the pros and cons of smoking and asks readers to make up their own minds about whether to smoke. Parents must be willing to join in a discussion of the controversial opinions.The Face at the Window; Regina Hanson; 1997;ages 6 to 10; fiction. With beautiful illustrations of contemporary Jamaica, a reassuring story about the rift mental illness can impose between people.The Bear’s House; Marilyn Sachs; 1996; ages 8 to 12; fiction. A sensitive story that describes a young girl struggling to stay on top in a world of bullies, poverty,and a mentally ill mom.My Sister Then and Now; Virginia L. Kroll; 1992;ages 8 to 12; fiction. One of the few fiction books about serious mental illness for young children.From Darkness To Light; Julie Landsman; 1994;ages 12 to 16; nonfiction. Essays written by teenagers about various concerns, including depression, physical illness, and disabilities.Ups And Downs; Susan Klebanoff and Ellen Luboversusky; 1998; ages 13 to adult; nonfiction. A straightforward book for teenagers about recognizing and managing depression in themselves and their friends; includes many resources and suggestions.A Slant of Sun; Beth Kephart; 1998; adults; fiction. Intimate and hopeful memoir of the author’s experience raising a child who has pervasive developmental disorder.A Parent’s Guide for Suicidal and Depressed Teens;Kate Williams; 1995; adults; nonfiction. A well-written,sensitive book about recognizing and acting on early signs of trouble.We have included books that describe children’s acute and chronic illnesses and disabilities and some that describe a friend’s, parent’s, or other relative’s illness or disability. We have avoided books about single conditions (eg, asthma, diabetes, Down syndrome,blindness), listing only books that discuss the experience of illness or disability generically or that describe many different conditions.Who’s Sick Today?; Lynne Cherry; 1998; ages 2 to 5; fiction. A delightful book using rhymes for various animals to describe the universal experience of acute illness.I Wish I Was Sick Too; Franz Brandenberg; 1990;ages 3 to 6; nonfiction. A picture book about the special attention that may be needed by siblings of children who have acute illnesses.Anna’s Special Present; Yoriko Tsutsui; out of print;ages 3 to 6; fiction. An older sibling’s protectiveness and other feelings about her sister who goes to the hospital and requires surgery.When Vera Was Sick; Vera Rosenberry; 1998; ages 3 to 6; nonfiction. The book describes the nurturing,the frustration of acute illness, and the joy of recovery of a Hispanic child who becomes acutely ill. Beautiful illustrations.When Molly Was In The Hospital; Debbie Duncan;1994; ages 4 to 8; fiction. A child describes her feelings when her younger sister needs surgery. Acknowledges the complex feelings of concern and jealousy when illness consumes a family.When Eric’s Mom Fought Cancer; Judith Vigna;1993; ages 4 to 8; fiction. A sensitive, beautiful story about a mother who has breast cancer, including some of the child’s predictable feelings of anger, sadness, and loneliness.A Pillow For My Mom; Charissa Sgouros; 1998; ages 4 to 7; fiction. A description of common feelings of a child dealing with a parent’s illness.Beautiful; Susi Gregg Fowler; 1998; ages 7 to 10;fiction. A lovely and sensitive story about a boy and his uncle, whose relationship transcends illness as the uncle passes on his love of gardenin
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