Helpful books for children

There are many excellent books for children. Here are a few of our favourites.

Ask Me
Antje Damm
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2005
ISBN 978-1-84507-386-2
This book offers an engaging way for primary school aged children to generate those really special conversations that happen when the defences are down and a child feels more able to open up. When you ask a child “What did you do at school today?” the answer is often “Not much”. However, if you say “What questions did you ask, or want to ask today?”, it takes the child’s mind to a different, more interesting, thoughtful and curious place.

Flamingo Dream
Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrated by Cathie Felstead
Greenwillow Books, 2002
ISBN 0-688-17863-4
This bright and colourful book is narrated by a young boy whose dad is seriously ill and dies soon after a trip to Florida to see the place where he grew up. The collage style illustrations capture the things the boy collects to remind him of his dad. This is a sensitive but honest book, which emphasises the importance of memories.

The Huge Bag of Worries
Virginia Ironside
Hodder Wayland, 1998
ISBN 0-750026391
This book relates the simple story of a girl who finds she is carrying an ever growing ‘bag of worries’. Eventually she receives help to share the worries with others. This book is a very useful starter to conversations with children under 11 about anxieties and concerns.

My Mommy Has Cancer
Carolyn Stearns-Parkinson
Park Press, 1991
ISBN 0963028707
This is an American story book about a child whose mother is in hospital for treatment for cancer. Suitable for use with children aged from three to six.

No Matter What
Debi Gliori
Bloomsbury Publishing, 1999
ISBN 0-747581347
This book gently and powerfully conveys the idea of unconditional parental love through the characters of Large and Small. It is suitable for children aged from three to eight.

On Eagles’Wings
Sue Mayfield
Lion Hudson, 2004
ISBN 0-745948901
Tony's mother is dying. There's nothing he can do about it and he can't always put a brave face on things. Often he wishes he could just fly away from everything, like an eagle, powerful and free. Gradually, through his experiences, Tony begins to understand that death can sometimes bring freedom. A very readable and sensitive story about growing up, family relationships and facing bereavement.

There’s NO Such Thing as a Dragon
Jack Kent
Golden Books, 1975
ISBN 0-375832084
This is another really helpful story for children aged from four to eight. It is a funny, quirky story about a little dragon that gets bigger – eventually becoming an overwhelming size because no-one is noticing him. It subtly conveys to a child that even tough stuff can and needs to be talked about to make it more manageable.

The Secret C: Straight Talking About Cancer
Julie Stokes
Winston’s Wish/Macmillan Cancer Relief, 2000
ISBN 0-9539123-0-2
Available from the Winston’s Wish on-line shop or call 01242 515157.
This book aims to help children ask questions about cancer and answers some common questions. It has a simple description of what cancer is and the treatments. The book discusses side-effects in easy to understand language as well as the emotions that a child may have when a family member has cancer. Suitable for use with children aged from four to 11.

When Someone Has a Very Serious Illness
Marge Heegaard
Fairview Press, 1993
ISBN 0 96205 024 5
This workbook aims to help children understand their feelings when someone in their family is seriously ill.