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I Have a Question about Cancer: Clear Answers for All Kids, including Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Special Needs
Cancer is a difficult topic for any parent, caregiver or educator to explain to a child. This book is designed to help kids, including children with autism spectrum disorder or other additional needs, to understand what it means when someone in their life has cancer.
Using a question and answer format, it explores the life changes and feelings of uncertainty a child may experience if a loved one has cancer. Illustrated with SymbolStix, a symbol-based language for visual thinkers, this book explains a difficult topic to children who might otherwise struggle to understand it. The book also features a short picture story that repeats the complete story for children who process information best through visual cues. Additional guidance for parents and caregivers provides ideas to help children cope with this experience.
Using a question and answer format, it explores the life changes and feelings of uncertainty a child may experience if a loved one has cancer. Illustrated with SymbolStix, a symbol-based language for visual thinkers, this book explains a difficult topic to children who might otherwise struggle to understand it. The book also features a short picture story that repeats the complete story for children who process information best through visual cues. Additional guidance for parents and caregivers provides ideas to help children cope with this experience.
48 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2022
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 14, 2019
***Advance Review Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a surprise. I honestly would have no idea how to explain cancer to a child, but it's something that needs to be explained, rather than completely omitting the topic.
I'm not a fan of the art but maybe it's suitable for children.
This is a surprise. I honestly would have no idea how to explain cancer to a child, but it's something that needs to be explained, rather than completely omitting the topic.
I'm not a fan of the art but maybe it's suitable for children.
February 14, 2019
Absolutely perfect.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. All the best to the authors and SymbolStix illustrations team who have created the images. This book is necessary for not just kids with special needs, or ages 5-11, but every other kid, adult and age-group too. It has easy-to-read text with corresponding image. Plus, it is gender-neutral. Considering that according to World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, this book is a keeper.
(P.S. pg. 42 has the same cue card visual for the two questions: Do all people with cancer have surgery? And, Can someone die from cancer? I think the visual card for the latter question should not have smiling faces, but maybe it was done to maintain 'similar-continuity' image)
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. All the best to the authors and SymbolStix illustrations team who have created the images. This book is necessary for not just kids with special needs, or ages 5-11, but every other kid, adult and age-group too. It has easy-to-read text with corresponding image. Plus, it is gender-neutral. Considering that according to World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, this book is a keeper.
(P.S. pg. 42 has the same cue card visual for the two questions: Do all people with cancer have surgery? And, Can someone die from cancer? I think the visual card for the latter question should not have smiling faces, but maybe it was done to maintain 'similar-continuity' image)
August 23, 2019
We HAVE to have these books, and I hate that we have to have them. This is difficult for me to write about because it is so personal, and because someday I fear that I will be reading one of these books to Mister or someone will be reading it because of me.
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The pictures need to be neutral so that anybody can relate to them. In order to do that, you have to strip them down, make them almost pictographs, and that is what they have done. No, they are not beautiful, engaging, gorgeous works of art, but they convey the message.
The text is clear and concise and covers everything. Everything. Thank you.
...
The pictures need to be neutral so that anybody can relate to them. In order to do that, you have to strip them down, make them almost pictographs, and that is what they have done. No, they are not beautiful, engaging, gorgeous works of art, but they convey the message.
The text is clear and concise and covers everything. Everything. Thank you.
December 19, 2018
This is a book that I wish never would have had to be written, but alas cancer is a reality in our world to many, and informative books like this one help open up a dialogue about it and gets emotional conversations flowing. Cancer is a very difficult subject to tackle but this book does a great job in highlighting clear answers that kids want to ask if a loved one is experiencing such a scary subject.
The book is divided into three components: the complete story, a short picture story aimed at those who have Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special needs, and suggestions for parents, educators, or caregivers who acquire help in addressing this very painful subject.
"I Have a Question about Cancer" is based on actual questions posed by kids who want a deeper understanding of what is happening to someone who has cancer. Reading and discussion of the book can help calm fears and can generate even more questions to ask that will give them peace and understanding by opening up and talking about it.
This book would be a wonderful asset not only in a home setting but also in a doctor' office, a hospital, a clinic, a classroom or school library just to name a few. Both the authors are well qualified to have written this clear, concise book and thankfully to share it with kids that are grappling to understand what the dreaded word "cancer" means. I highly recommend this book.
The book is divided into three components: the complete story, a short picture story aimed at those who have Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special needs, and suggestions for parents, educators, or caregivers who acquire help in addressing this very painful subject.
"I Have a Question about Cancer" is based on actual questions posed by kids who want a deeper understanding of what is happening to someone who has cancer. Reading and discussion of the book can help calm fears and can generate even more questions to ask that will give them peace and understanding by opening up and talking about it.
This book would be a wonderful asset not only in a home setting but also in a doctor' office, a hospital, a clinic, a classroom or school library just to name a few. Both the authors are well qualified to have written this clear, concise book and thankfully to share it with kids that are grappling to understand what the dreaded word "cancer" means. I highly recommend this book.
November 20, 2018
Thank you NetGalley! I really thought this was a great book. Personally, I am dealing with a type of cancer right now and I read with my kids. They really found it informative and I found it helpful with explaining it. This would be GREAT to have in dr's offices for parents with kids to give their children. A Cancer diagnosis is scary and overwhelming. a very thoughtful and informative. Wish I would have had this when we told our kids of my diagnosis back in first part of July.
October 16, 2019
My Thoughts
Given my personal experiences with cancer – family and friends already lost to or dealing with this dreaded disease – this book is something I know will be a valuable resource for many.
This is one of those books that you wish was not needed in the first place, but you are glad it is there – since it is, well, NEEDED (unfortunately and seemingly more now than ever).
Using a combination of simple, straightforward yet gentle text and illustrations bared down to stick-figures, this book speaks very effortlessly to its target audience (and to others as well). It does a wonderful job of helping deal with the tough questions that arise when loved ones are diagnosed with cancer.
Written from the perspective of a narrator (a child) who is asking the questions needing answers, it can help start conversations which might otherwise be difficult; and will the reader help find the right language to use while answering(or asking) questions.
With its three step approach (a detailed story, a shorter picture story, suggestions for parents and caregivers), this book is an excellent resource to help deal with a tough subject.
In Summary
A valuable resource that will be useful for caregivers (parents, educators, others) as well as at doctors’ offices, clinics, and classrooms.
Rating: 5/5
Reading Level: 5 – 11 years (and all who need it)
Disclaimer: Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. These are my honest thoughts about the book.
Given my personal experiences with cancer – family and friends already lost to or dealing with this dreaded disease – this book is something I know will be a valuable resource for many.
This is one of those books that you wish was not needed in the first place, but you are glad it is there – since it is, well, NEEDED (unfortunately and seemingly more now than ever).
Using a combination of simple, straightforward yet gentle text and illustrations bared down to stick-figures, this book speaks very effortlessly to its target audience (and to others as well). It does a wonderful job of helping deal with the tough questions that arise when loved ones are diagnosed with cancer.
Written from the perspective of a narrator (a child) who is asking the questions needing answers, it can help start conversations which might otherwise be difficult; and will the reader help find the right language to use while answering(or asking) questions.
With its three step approach (a detailed story, a shorter picture story, suggestions for parents and caregivers), this book is an excellent resource to help deal with a tough subject.
In Summary
A valuable resource that will be useful for caregivers (parents, educators, others) as well as at doctors’ offices, clinics, and classrooms.
Rating: 5/5
Reading Level: 5 – 11 years (and all who need it)
Disclaimer: Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. These are my honest thoughts about the book.
February 13, 2020
The information in here is good, and it is so valuable that they have it in a simplified format near the back. Great for kids with special needs, but also great for kids who just won't sit still for all of the text of the first version of the book. Also good for parents/caregivers as a sort of script or answer idea bank for when they get asked those inevitable questions. The suggestions in the back are also succinct and helpful.
My one issue (and I hate that it matters so much to me) is that the artwork is awful. Literal stick figures, and as someone else pointed out, at one point the clipart stick figures are smiling while asking if someone can die from cancer. Uh... yikes.
My one issue (and I hate that it matters so much to me) is that the artwork is awful. Literal stick figures, and as someone else pointed out, at one point the clipart stick figures are smiling while asking if someone can die from cancer. Uh... yikes.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews