Last week I had the pleasure of hanging out in New York. I had various business meetings with my family and I had one of my own with Lauri Hornik, President and Publisher of Dial Books For Young Readers. I have known her for a number of years, and while we were visiting she showed me, Cancer Hates Kisses, by Jessica Reid Sliwerski and illustrated by Mika Song.
While I was going through cancer treatment and surgeries our daughters were 7 and 11 and I looked for ways to discuss our reality at the time. I was gone a lot. I was tired a lot. I didn’t feel well a lot. It was all “a lot.”
You know that “When in doubt go to the library,” quote from Ron Weasley? (Yes it is Ron and he precedes it with, “Because that’s what Hermione does.”) I looked for books that discussed a parent with cancer.
I didn’t like the books I found.
They were scary or depressing or dealt with it so differently from the way I was choosing to deal with it. My idea was to be simple, honest and straightforward. 8 years later, in 2017, this book was published. It is a picture book and charming. If you think cancer can’t be handled in a positive, charming way you should take a look. So this book goes to the top of my suggestion list of books about cancer.
I loved the honest and matter of fact way the book handled the day to day existence of being a parent, and also being a kid, dealing with cancer in a family. I also loved the art. It is listed on amazon as a grade 1 book but I think it would have been fine for my 7 year old too. It will open the conversation if you have no idea how to do that.
If you are looking for a lovely gift this Christmas for someone with young kids and a parent with cancer this is one to buy. Like my book, Chemo, Cupcakes and Carpools, it is one you wish you didn’t have to buy, but are so glad you found.
Buy Cancer Hates Kisses here: https://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Hates-Kisses-Jessica-Sliwerski/dp/0735227810/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=cancer+hates+kisses&qid=1576073360&sr=8-1
Buy Chemo, Cupcakes and Carpools here: https://www.amazon.com/Chemo-Cupcakes-Carpools-Through-Marriage/dp/0997544414/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Chemo+cupcakes+and+carpools&qid=1576074110&sr=8-1
I am currently working on my book and trying to finish it before my oldest comes home. I may be inconsistent with this blog until Jan. 8 2020 but check back anyway. You never know what you may find!
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