Recommended Reading: Ages 4 to 8

Barnes, Why Don't Haircuts Hurt?: Questions and Answers About Your Body

Older children will delight in and learn from the basic question and answer format of this series exploring dinosaurs and the human body.

Berger, Germs Make Me Sick

This easy-to-read revision of a 1985 title effectively describes the differences between bacteria and viruses and gives other related germy facts.

Bourgeois, Franklin Goes to the Hospital

Franklin's shell has cracked and he needs to be a brave turtle when it's time to go to the hospital.

Brazelton, Going to the Doctor

This pediatrician tells what happens when a child goes to the doctor for a check-up, with explanations of the instruments and procedures that will be encountered.

Bridge, Andrew's Story: A Book About a Boy Who Beat Cancer (Meeting the Challenge)

Written in first person as though nine-year-old Andrew Bridge is talking to readers, this book recalls the boy's diagnosis of and treatment for cancer when he was three. An important aspect of the book, which is also mentioned in an author's note for parents, is the discussion of the anger and confusion Andrew felt about invasive treatments that were supposed to help him when, in fact, they "felt like they were hurting." Written to encourage and inform young cancer patients, this readable book will also sensitize patients' healthy friends and family members to the issues surrounding the illness.

Brown, When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death (Dino Life Guides for Families)

Unlike many books on death for little ones, this one doesn't tell a story. Instead, it addresses children's fears and curiosity head-on, and in a largely secular fashion, by answering some very basic questions: "Why does someone die?" "What does dead mean?" "What comes after death?"

Buscalgia, Freddie the Leaf

This author ever so gently and beautifully uses nature and the changing seasons of life to explain how death can be seen as a natural part of living. This is a tender story to be read by people of all ages.

Cranston, You and Your Cancer: A Child's Guide

Children's reader covers the different kinds of cancer, hospital stays, tests, treatment, feelings, school, getting help, why some kids die, and recovery.

Danish, The Dragon and the Doctor

A dragon with a very sore tail finds a helpful doctor and introduces her to her friends.

DK, First Human Body Encyclopedia

Showing what's inside the human body and how things fit and work together, the Human Body Encyclopedia is packed with fascinating facts and spectacular close-up photographs that make the subject accessible and fun.

Dodd, Oliver's Story: For 'Sibs' of Kids With Cancer

This illustrated book is targeted for the 3 to 8 year old sibling of children diagnosed with cancer. It is written through the eyes of six-year-old Oliver and focuses on the many questions that siblings have when their brother or sister is diagnosed with cancer, and offers constructive ways on how they can provide support.

Drescher, The Moon Balloon: A Journey of Hope and Discovery for Children and Families

The Moon Balloon is a gem of a book and will delight all who read it and experience the beautiful, empowering images. Imagery is a way for children to open to their healing potentials of mind, body, and spirit. This book can be used again and again to remind children of the power of their imagination in healing.

Duncan, When Molly Was in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children

Anna's little sister, Molly, has been very ill and had to have an operation. Anna tells us all about the experience from her point of view. This is a sensitive, insightful, heartwarming story. A support and comfort for siblings and those who love them. The story is moving and rings with authenticity, for author Debbie Duncan based it on her family's personal experiences.

Ekert, Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Practical Guide to Your Future

The surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplants used to cure children can affect growing bodies and developing minds. If survivors know of these potential problems, they can take steps to identify, cope with, or treat them early if they do develop.

Ganz/Scofield, Life Isn't Always a Day at the Beach: A Book for All Children Whose Lives Are Affected by Cancer

Geller, Victoria's Smile

When Victoria was six years old, doctors treated her for brain cancer. The operation was successful, but the cancer damaged nerves in her face. When Victoria's family moved to a new town, Victoria's classmates found it hard to be her friend because she didn't look like them. Then one day, Victoria and her mom talked to the class about her battle with cancer with positive results. Written by Rita Geller, the art in this book was drawn by the students in Rita Geller's class the real-life Victoria's classmates.

Gioia, Bobo's Just Fine

Gutmann, Gaspard in the Hospital

The little rabbit swallows a precious key charm to prevent his big schoolmates from stealing it. He rides in an ambulance, has an X-ray and an anesthetic, and wakes to find his parents right there.

Harris/Ormerod, Goodbye Mouse

A little boy wakes up one morning and tickles his pet mouse's tummy, but Mousie doesn't move. So begins this story for the very youngest about the death of a pet.

Howe, The Hospital Book

A guide to a stay in the hospital discussing what happens there, the people one meets, what will hurt, and how one gets better and goes home.

Karu, Henry and the White Wolf

Henry, a very sick little hedgehog, receives treatment from the White Wolf that makes him feel even worse but eventually cures him, and through the ordeal he holds a stone to help him stay strong and brave.

Klein, Healing Images for Children: Teaching Relaxation and Guided Imagery to Children Facing Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses

Krisher-Westcott, Kathy's Hats: A Story of Hope

Kathy's love of hats comes in handy when the chemotherapy treatments she receives for her cancer make her hair fall out.

Landier, My Pic Line

Leukemia Society of America, I'm Having a Bone Marrow Transplant

Martin, H is for Hair Fairy: An Alphabet of Encouragement and Insight for Kids (and Kids at Heart!) with Cancer

An alphabet book with a mission, this 32-page picture book will inspire, comfort, educate and encourage children being treated for cancer.

Mills, Little Tree: A Story for Children with Serious Medical Problems

Mills, Gentle Willow: A Story for Children about Dying

Moliterno, Parker's Brain Storm

A child-friendly story describing the process of diagnosis and surgery from the prospective of a little bear named Parker.

Negron, The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True

Young Michael Steel loves to watch the New York Yankees on TV — from his hospital bed. Michael has brain cancer. But when Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano visits Michael in the hospital, Michael embarks on an unexpected and wonderful journey when he becomes a Yankee batboy for a day. It's his baseball dream come true!

Nessim, A Friend for Life: A Story and Activity Book for Kids with Cancer

Olson, Cooper gets an X-ray

This is the first in a series of books written especially for children who are diagnosed with a disease or are about to undergo an unfamiliar medical procedure.

Peterkin, What about Me: When Brothers and Sisters get Sick

Laura experiences conflicting emotions when her brother becomes seriously ill. This book includes suggestions for parents to help their well children cope with a chronically ill sibling.

Richmond, Chemo Girl: Saving the World One Treatment at a Time

This is an inspiring children's story depicting Chemo Girl's adventures in saving a little girl from cancer. Written and illustrated by a 12-year-old cancer patient.

Steig, Doctor deSoto

A somewhat unusual--and ravenous--patient is outfoxed by the resourceful mouse-dentist in this sly tale of mischief.

Wilde, I'm a Super Hero

This inspirational book was written by Daxton and his mom, Sherry while Daxton was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for a brain tumor.

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