Molly, the Dog with Diabetes

by Kevin Coolidge

Molly, the Dog With Diabetes, is a true story about a dachshund mix dog, and her journey with diabetes. Molly's story is not only a dog story--and who doesn't love a dog story?--but the story of living a happy and healthy life with diabetes.

32 pages, Paperback

Published July 20, 2018

Reviews

[William Waltz]

This book is all about the Amazing Life of Molly, and while it's aimed at children, it also teaches everyone a lot about how Diabetes functions, and how to deal with its ups and downs. it's very informative, and detailed, while still being a fun adorable story about a little dog doing what little dogs do. Play and have fun, and also be loved by their owners. I can't recommend this book any higher if you, or someone you know has Diabetes, especially if they're young. This can help make it so much less scary.

[Stephanie Webb]

I illustrated this book.

I fell in love with the idea and was completely honored Kevin wanted me to illustrate it.

I am so honored and proud to see it has won the Monsters Award and is now in a private collection for children's illustrated books.

For those who are interested in what i used to illustrate this book; it was water colours with ink and prisma colour coloured pencils.

I am sure you and your kiddos will fall in love with Molly and her daily adventure of taking good care of herself.

And maybe your beloved pet as well!

[Jen]

This book is wonderful! Both as a dog story and as a useful teaching story for young diabetics. Yes, the diabetic in this book is a dog, not a human, but Type 1 Diabetes works the same in both. There are some minor differences in treatment -- the treatment, Vetsulin, is, in reality, the same as the intermediate acting insulin used by humans but monitoring blood sugar is generally done using urine strips rather than a blood glucose monitor. The monitor is more accurate but the difficulty of getting drops of your pet's blood make it safer and easier to use urine strip monitoring, plus the average monitor is calibrated for humans. (Turns out that there are blood glucose monitors calibrated for pets but I would imagine these are expensive!) However, the realities of living day to day with diabetes remain the same. Molly needs to have her diet watched and her exercise levels regulated and needs to be monitored for signs of high or low blood sugar, just like a young child would. I was very excited to see this book because there really aren't enough books about Type 1 Diabetes out there for young children and a newly diagnosed, young diabetic would most likely love to read about a dog dealing with the same issues they were (I know I would have loved it when I was younger and newly diagnosed!). And of course, while I am really excited about this book as a method for introducing dealing with diabetes to children, it is also just a really cute dog story! I loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone who knows a child with diabetes along with any and all pediatricians and veterinarians!!

[Rachelle]

I got to see the subject of this book on TV as I did not attend First Friday in Wellsboro when Molly and her owner appeared at the author's bookstore in Wellsboro.

This is a children's book about an actual dog and her life with diabetes. She leads a normal dog's life except that her sugar level has to be checked each day and she receives two shots a day. She eats special dog food and may not eat human food. Her vet is the vet I take my cats to and is very good with animals.

This book explains about diabetes and how Molly lives. I would recommend it for homes with children and adults who like to read books to children.

[Ashley Slater]

A sweet story that helps to explain diabetes in an easy way for kids to digest. The illustrations were pretty, and I loved when I actually saw Molly!

[Kris Dickinson]

Molly is a story about a dog with diabetes and how she lives with it day to day. This book is a great idea for small children as it shows that dogs can have diabetes just like they could, and can still lead normal, fun lives. Very informative and easily explained for the younger audience.

[Kasey]

This beautifully-illustrated, children's picture book is both educational and heart-warming! Your eyes are drawn immediately to the bright, sweet tones used to portray Molly on the cover. Kids and adults alike are drawn in immediately.

Molly is a real dog! She's a little sausage dog :) (a dacschund mix) who tells the story of her daily life. Since Molly has diabetes, a normal day for her includes measuring the sugar in her urine, getting a shot or two of vetsulin, eating specially-formulated food for dogs with diabetes. But, as she is quick to point out, her daily activities are basically just like any dog's: she goes for walks; she says "hi" to the cat next door and other neighborhood dogs; she watches birds and squirrels in her backyard. She spends time with her human "Mom and Dad", and sometimes with their grandchildren.

This is perfect for families and teachers who love dog stories. It's also a great way to introduce the topic of diabetes to young children. If a grandparent or a parent or a sibling or a friend is diagnosed with diabetes, this is a gentle, helpful way to begin to understand the illness. "Molly, the Dog with Diabetes" IS a great dog story, but it's not JUST a dog story. It's health education, and it doesn't just apply to pets with diabetes. The book can start a conversation.