Books

Can I Still Kiss You? Answering Your Children's Questions
by Neil Russell

In this book, a father focuses on common questions children ask about diagnosis, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy when a parent has cancer.
[1] [2]

Cancer in the Family: Helping Children Cope With a Parent's Illness
by Sue Heiney, Joan Hermann, Katherine Bruss, Joy Fincannon

This book outlines the steps necessary to help young and adolescent children understand what happens when a parent is diagnosed with cancer. The book contains a special workbook section with interactive writing and drawing projects to help children express thoughts and feelings. Available through the American Cancer Society. (800) ACS-2345
[1] [2] [4]

How to Help Children through a Parent's Serious Illness
by Kathleen McCue and Ron Bonn

This book offers practical advice from a leading child-life specialist. Included is what to tell children, how to recognize early warning signs of problems and where to get professional help.
[1] [2]

Prostate Cancer: What every man—and his family—needs to know
by D.G. Bostwick, G.T. MacLennan and T.R. Larson

This book provides a good overview of the issues involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and its affect on family life. Available through the American Cancer Society. (800) ACS-2345
[1] [2] [4]

When a Parent has Cancer: A Guide to Caring for Your Children
by Wendy Schlessel Harpham

A physician and cancer survivor provides practical advice on caring for children of all ages during diagnosis and treatment. This book comes with an accompanying book for children, "Becky and the Worry Cup."
[1] [2]

Women and Cancer: A Thorough and Compassionate Resource for Patients and Their Families
by C.D. Runowicz, J.A. Petrek and T.S. Gansler

This book explores issues that come up when a mother is diagnosed with cancer. Available through the American Cancer Society (800) ACS-2345
[1] [2] [4]

It takes a worried man: A memoir
by Brendan Halpin

This book provides a candid description of the author's experience when his wife is diagnosed with breast cancer. It covers what issues husbands can encounter with their wives and children after a breast cancer diagnosis.
[1] [2]

Share the Care
by Cappy Capossela and Sheila Warnock

This book offers guidelines, suggestions, and a simple-to-use workbook section on how to turn a group of helpful individuals (friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc.) into a caregiving circle of support.
[1] [2]

Couples Confronting Cancer: Keeping Your Relationship Strong
by Joy L. Fincannon and Katherine V. Bruss

This book offer information on how to cope with the demands that cancer can put on relationships, how to deal with the problems it can cause, and how to resolve, even prevent, those problems. Hand-on-tools are offered to help partners become closer as well as communicate more easily. Available through the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345.
[2]

Breast Cancer Husband: How to Help Your Wife (and Yourself) Through Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond
by Mark Silver

Support and practical advice from a spouse of a breast cancer patient with two teenage children that covers diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.
[1] [2]

Coping When a Parent Has Cancer
by Linda Leopold Strauss and Ruth Rosen

Recommended for Grade 7 and up, this easy-to-read book explains cancer and treatments, talks about what to expect in the hospital, and describes the unique experience of teens when a parent is diagnosed with cancer.
[1]

Moms Don't Get Sick
by Pat and Ben Brack

This book has chapters written by a mom who has breast cancer and her son. Both describe their thoughts and feelings during her cancer treatment.
[1] [2]

Not Now...I'm Having a No Hair Day
by Christine Clifford

A breast cancer patient's journey expressed through 60 cartoons that offer a humorous take on a serious subject.
[1] [2]

When Someone in Your Family Has Cancer
National Cancer Institute (NCI)

This book is included in the backpacks and teen packs distributed by the Family Connections Program in the Dana-Farber Department of Care Coordination.
www.cancer.gov ($5)
[1] [2] [3]

Will I Get Breast Cancer? Questions and Answers for Teenage Girls
by C. Vogel

This book, written in question-and-answer format, discusses a range of topics, including breast physiology, treatment, and emotional and physical issues. It also includes a list of resources and a glossary of commonly used terms related to breast cancer.
[1] [2]

Our Family Has Cancer, Too!
By Christine Clifford

A 54-page book that chronicles the cancer journey from diagnosis through treatment from the perspective of an 11-year-old boy.
[1] [2]

The Paper Chain
by Claire Blake

Written by a mother, this book helps families cope with a parent's illness.
[1] [2]

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day
by Judy Voirst

A picture book that follows Alexander on a very bad day, which we all experience from time to time.
[1] [2]

Henry and the White Wolf
by Tyler Karu

An illustrated allegorical story about hope, dignity, and strength.
[1] [2]

The Jester Has Lost His Jingle
by David Saltzman

Children ages 6-8 will enjoy this rhyming picture book about a jester who finds that laughter is missing from his kingdom. Children will learn about positive thinking and individual power.
www.jesterbook.com
[1] [2] [3]

Kemo Shark
by D.W. Steele and H.E. King

Written by a child psychologist and breast cancer survivor to help children understand the changes in a family when a parent has cancer and chemotherapy.
www.kidscope.org
(404) 892-1437 (order free copy or download electronic version)
[1] [2] [3] [4]

Life Isn't Always a Day at the Beach; A Book for All Children Whose Lives are Affected by Cancer
by Pam Ganz and Tobi Scofield

This workbook helps children express their feelings and facilitates family communication.
[1] [2]

Mommy's in the Hospital Again
by Carolyn Parkinson

A book that serves as a tool to start family dialogue about what happens when a parent is sick. It includes a list of suggestions for parents to help their children.
www.solacepublishing.com/books.html ($14.95)
[3]

My Daddy's Cancer: An Interactive Book for Children
by Cindy Cohen and John Heiney

A story and activity book for 9-12-year-olds. Adults can read this book to younger children.
[1]

Sammy's Mommy Has Cancer
by Sherry Kohlenberg

This book explains what is happening to Sammy's mommy after diagnosis.
[1] [2]

Vanishing Cookies
by Michelle Goodman

This book is written to target children ages 10–16. It is written in question and answer format.
[1] [2]

When Eric's Mom Fought Cancer
by Judy Vigna

This story gives hope and teaches children that it is okay to be angry about a parent's illness.
[1] [2]

When Someone Has a Very Serious Illness: Children Can Learn to Cope With Loss and Change
by Marge Heegard

This workbook helps families talk about illness and coping.
[1] [2]