Children's books

Age 3 and above

Age 6 and above

Age 9 and above

The Little C Club (Flashcards)

These bright, colourful and interactive flash cards have been created by two young secondary breast cancer patients (one a nurse and one a teacher) as a tool to help parents talk to their primary school age children about cancer. Each card uses age appropriate language and information to help explain key terms, such as ‘operations and scars’, ‘chemotherapy’ or ‘radiotherapy’. They also include activities and/or talking points to help open up conversations between the child and adult. The cards are not tumour site specific, so are appropriate for any cancer type. Not all the cards have to be used at any given time offering flexibility as adults can choose which cards to use and when, according to their own personal circumstances.

The Flashcards are available via the Little C Club website: Little C Club

The Huge Bag of Worries, by Virginia Ironside, ISBN: 978-0340903179 

A funny and reassuring look at dealing with worries and anxiety, to be used as a spring board into important conversations with your child.

A reassuring picture book encouraging children to open up about their fears and anxieties to help manage their feelings. The perfect book to soothe worries during stressful times. Wherever Jenny goes, her worries follow her - in a big blue bag. They are with her all the time - at school, at home, when she is watching TV and even in the bathroom! Jenny decides they have to go, but who will help her get rid of them?

How Are You Feeling Today, by Molly Potter, ISBN: 978-1472906090

Children have strong feelings and they can't always handle them very well. Perfect for sharing, How Are You Feeling Today? is packed with fun, imaginative ways to help children understand and cope with a whole range of different emotions. This delightful book gives parents the tools they need to help their child deal with those feelings - without it all ending in tears!

A great dip-in book where children can choose a feeling that relates to them and then turn to the page that provides child-friendly strategies for dealing with that feeling. Helpful parent notes at the back of the book provide more ideas for parents to use with their child and other strategies to try out together and practice the all important skill of dealing with feelings

The Great Big Book of Feelings by Mary Hoffman, ISBN: 978-1847807588

The Great Big Book of Feelings allows children to explore how they're feeling in a safe and judgement free environment. Featuring funny artwork and wonderfully sensitive and accessible text, this book celebrates each emotion for what it is and encourages children to discuss how they're feeling instead of bottling it all up.

How are you feeling today? Happy? Sad? Excited? Scared? We all experience lots of different emotions. Sometimes we can feel angry or silly, and sometimes we might feel jealous or upset. There are even times when we might feel lonely or worried.

However you feel, sharing and talking about your feelings will make you feel better. This fresh, optimistic look at all the feelings we experience explores feelings in family life, at school and everywhere with warmth, wit and sensitivity. Featuring lots of different children in various situations, brief text captions and questions and plenty of humour, this is the go to book to learn about feelings.

When I Feel Sad, by Cornelia Maude Spelman, ISBN: 978-0807588994

"Sometimes I feel sad. I feel sad when someone won't let me play, or when I really want to tell about something and nobody listens. When someone else is sad, I feel sad, too... Sad is a cloudy, tired feeling. Nothing seems fun when I feel sad." Children will take comfort in this story. Readers will recognize similar experiences in their own lives as this little guinea pig describes feeling sad when someone is cross or when something bad happens. Eventually our heroine realizes that feeling sad doesn't last forever.

Are You Sad, Little Bear? by Rachel Rivett, ISBN: 978-0745964300

Grandmother Bear has gone forever, and Little Bear is feeling sad. His mother wisely suggests that perhaps asking his woodland companions what saying goodbye means to them will help him understand his loss. Little Bear's day of exploring and asking questions brings him comfort and hope. For the swallows, saying goodbye means flying to warmer lands; for the leaves of the trees it is a chance to be free, leaving the tree at her most beautiful; for the moon it is to return to be with the Sun; and for the Sun it is to rise in another sky and just because Little Bear can't see him doesn't mean he isn't there. This charmingly illustrated picture book will help young children in times of bereavement, loss or change, gently exploring the reasons for saying goodbye and giving reassurance that goodbye doesn't mean the end of things.

Dad & Me: award-winning & interactive children's journal for getting to know each other better, by Journals of a Lifetime, ISBN: 978-1907048562

This is a fun and interactive journal to help father and child have fun writing together, learning about each other along the way. Guided prompts take them both on a journey of discovery about family, friendships, home life and more. Featuring areas for both dad and child to write about memories and feelings in tandem, and to get even closer along the way. Winner at the Loved by Parents Awards and the Stationery Awards 2014, and shortlisted for Gift of the Year 2015. Dad & Me encourages children to write, draw and doodle and helps to reinforce the special father-child bond.

Mum & Me: award-winning & interactive children's journal for getting to know each other better, by Journals of a Lifetime, ISBN: 978-1907048555

Fun and interactive journals to help mother and child have fun writing together, learning about each other along the way. Winner at the Loved by Parents Awards and the Stationery Awards 2014, and shortlisted for Gift of the Year 2015. Mum & Me encourages children to write, draw and doodle and helps to reinforce the special mother-child bond. Guided prompts take them both on a journey of discovery about family, friendships, home life and more. Featuring areas for both mum and child to write about memories and feelings in tandem, and to get even closer along the way.

Big Tree is Sick: A Story to Help Children Cope with the Serious Illness of a Loved One, by Nathalie Slosse, ISBN: 978-1785922268

Snibbles and Big Tree are best friends! They have always hung out together, and Snibbles loves Big Tree very much. When Big Tree unexpectedly falls ill with woodworm, Snibbles is very upset and angry. The illness is a very bad one and Big Tree does not feel well and doesn't want to play for a long time. Poor Snibbles! He wants Big Tree to get better, but he feels as if there is nothing he can do. What can Snibbles and his friends do to help Big Tree through his treatment and recovery?

The Truth About Cancer, by Kelly Strenge ISBN-13 : 978-1366121783

How do you explain cancer to kids? This book holds the key. "I highly recommend this book for any child who has ever heard the word cancer. An informative and uplifting story that will open the doors of conversation." Luis F. Porrata, M.D. Mayo Clinic.

Kelly Strenge has been explaining cancer to children for more than a decade. The Truth About Cancer educates children about cancer in a very honest, light-hearted, and inspiring way. In this book kids will discover: • What cancer is and how it is treated; • The side effects cancer treatment can have; • Who is affected by cancer; • Cancer is not contagious; • Ways to prevent cancer; • Who they can turn to for comfort and to help them cope; • Cancer doesn't define a person; • There are positive aspects of the journey; and much more. The Truth About Cancer Second Edition is a wonderfully versatile nonfiction book that is beneficial to children ages 2-12. This book works perfectly whether it is a child that was diagnosed or someone they love.

The Cancer That Wouldn't Go Away: A story for kids about metastatic cancer by Hadassa Field, ISBN: 978-1300303176

The Cancer That Wouldn't Go Away is a ground-breaking book, written especially for the child whose parent is living with metastatic cancer. This sensitively written tale uses a gentle, yet realistic approach to help children ages 4-8 face the unique uncertainties of life with incurable cancer. Unlike stories about early-stage cancer, after which the parent is cured and life goes back to normal, for the family in this story, life has irrevocably changed. The future is uncertain. But love and laughter remain constant, as they take life one day at a time. Includes a comprehensive guide ("How to use this book") for parents and professionals, written by child trauma psychologist Rinat R. Green, Psy.D.

My nanny has cancer, by Anita Hudson, ISBN: 978-1519331670

A book explaining cancer to young children that are affected because a parent or grandparent has cancer. The book is written in a language that children can understand and illustrated by a four year old. There are tips in the book that support adults to communicate to young children, with very simple content. Older children have also read the book and found it to be invaluable.

Cancer Hates Kisses, by Jessica Sliwerski, ISBN: 978-0735227811

Author Jessica Reid Sliwerski was diagnosed with breast cancer four months after giving birth to her daughter. And through all the stages of treatment – surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, losing her hair - she thought about how hard it would be to talk to your child about cancer while coping with it. She wrote this picture book to give other parents and their children an encouraging tool for having those conversations. A lovingly upbeat book that is also refreshingly authentic and straightforward. With its simple text and heart-warming illustrations, Cancer Hates Kisses is relatable to any type of cancer.

Nowhere Hair, by Sue Glader, ISBN: 978-0984359165

The little girl in Nowhere Hair knows two things: Her mom's hair is not on her head anymore, so therefore it must be somewhere around the house. After searching the obvious places, the story reveals that her mother, although going through cancer treatment, is still silly, attentive, happy and yes, sometimes very tired and cranky. She learns that she didn't cause the cancer, can't catch it, and that Mommy still is very much up for the job of mothering. The book, written in rhyme, explains hats, scarves, wigs, going bald in public, and the idea of being nice to people who may look a little different than you. It ends with the idea that what is inside of us is far more important than how we look on the outside. For any parent or grandparent, Nowhere Hair offers a comfortable platform to explain something that is inherently very difficult.

Always and Forever, by Alan Durant, ISBN: 978-0552567657

When Fox dies the rest of his family are absolutely distraught. How will Mole, Otter and Hare go on without their beloved friend? But, months later, Squirrel reminds them all of how funny Fox used to be, and they realise that Fox is still there in their hearts and memories.

Missing Mummy, by Rebecca Cobb, ISBN: 978-0230749511

Written and illustrated by the talented and award-winning author-illustrator Rebecca Cobb, this extraordinary book deals with the loss of a parent from a child's point of view. Perfectly pitched text and evocative artwork explore the many emotions a bereaved child may experience, from anger to guilt and from sadness to bewilderment. And importantly, the book also focuses on the positive - the recognition that the child is still part of a family, and that his memories of his mother are to be treasured.

Tell Me About Heaven, Grandpa Rabbit!, by Jenny Album, ISBN : 978-0992616793

Tell Me About Heaven, Grandpa Rabbit!, (winner of the 2015 Gold Prima Baby Award for Best Children's Book), has quickly become one of the best loved bereavement books for children.

This gentle and uplifting story is designed to help young children come to terms with losing someone special. The book follows the story of Bradley Bunny and his grandfather, Grandpa Rabbit.

When Bradley asks Grandpa Rabbit what heaven is like, Grandpa asks Bradley to imagine 'a place in the sky that feels special'. Bradley Bunny imagines a carrot themed funfair in the sky! Grandpa Rabbit says that he imagines a beautiful garden, full of old friends and delicious food.

Either way, when Grandpa Rabbit eventually goes to Heaven, Bradley is secure in the knowledge that that Grandpa will be very happy there.

At the beginning of the story, Grandpa Rabbit had given Bradley a gift. At the end of the story, this gift reappears, and serves as a moving reminder to Bradley that, whilst the grandpa he loves has left, in some way, he will always be with him.

Help Me Say Goodbye, by Janis Silverman, ISBN: 978-1577490852

An art therapy and activity book to help children cope with the death of a special person. Includes exercises to address the questions and fears children may have.

Badger's Parting Gifts, by Susan Varley, ISBN: 978-1849395144

Badger is so old that he knows he must soon die, so he does his best to prepare his friends. When he finally passes away, they are grief-stricken, but one by one they remember the special things he taught them during his life. By sharing their memories, they realise that although Badger is no longer with them physically, he lives on through his friends. Features a helpful reading guide from Child Bereavement UK that provides tips for reading Badger’s Parting Gifts with children and helping them better understand grief. Endorsed by Child Bereavement UK: “Badger’s Parting Gifts provides young children with a means to understand grief”.

The Invisible String, by Patrice Karst, ISBN: 978-0875167343

That's impossible said twins Jeremy & Liza after their Mum told them they're all connected by this thing called an Invisible String. What kind of string? They asked with a puzzled look to which Mum replied “an invisible string made of love”. That's where the story begins. A story that teaches of the tie that really binds. Mums (and Dads) feel the tug whenever kids give it; and kids feel the tug that comes right back: the Invisible String reaches from heart to heart. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach anyway? Read all about it! Whether it's a loved one far away or a parent in the next room this delightful book illustrates a new way to cope with something all children and parents confront sooner or later; a child's fear of loneliness and separation. Here is a warm and delightful lesson teaching young and old that we aren't ever really alone.

Where Are You: A Child's Book about Loss, by Laura Olivieri, ISBN : 978-1435700918

Where Are You: A Child's Book About Loss is a kind and supportive text with beautiful illustrations designed to help children of all ages cope with the loss of a loved one. It is created with love and care so that even the youngest readers will find comfort during this stressful and difficult time.

The Memory Tree, by Britta Teckentrup, ISBN: 978-1408326343

A beautiful and heartfelt picture book to help children celebrate the memories left behind when a loved one dies.

Fox has lived a long and happy life in the forest, but now he is tired. He lies down in his favourite clearing, and falls asleep for ever. Before long, Fox's friends begin to gather in the clearing. One by one, they tell stories of the special moments that they shared with Fox. And so, as they share their memories, a tree begins to grow, becoming bigger and stronger with each memory, sheltering and protecting all the animals in the forest, just as Fox did when he was alive.

This gentle story about the loss of a loved one is perfect for sharing and will bring comfort to both children and parents.

What Does Dead Mean?: A Book for Young Children to Help Explain Death and Dying, by Caroline Jay and Jenni Thomas, ISBN: 978-1849053556

What Does Dead Mean? is a beautifully illustrated book that guides children gently through 17 of the 'big' questions they often ask about death and dying.

Questions such as 'Is being dead like sleeping?', 'Why do people have to die?' and 'Where do dead people go?' are answered simply, truthfully and clearly to help adults explain to children what happens when someone dies. Prompts encourage children to explore the concepts by talking about, drawing or painting what they think or feel about the questions and answers.

Suitable for children aged 4+, this is an ideal book for parents and carers to read with their children, as well as teachers, therapists and counsellors working with young children.

When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief, by Marge Heegaard, ISBN: 978-0962050206

A practical format for allowing children to understand the concept of death and develop coping skills for life, this book is designed for young readers to illustrate.

As Big as it Gets: Supporting a Child When a Parent is Seriously Ill, by Julie A. Stokes, Diana Crossley,  and Di Stubbs, ISBN: 978-0953912391

One of a range of booklets designed to offer guidance to parents, carers and professionals to support a bereaved child or young person.

Children’s Worry Book, by Children’s Mindfulness, ISBN: 978-1985117969

Growing up can be hard. You may encounter stress, difficulties at school, hard times at home, friendship problems, exams, anxiety, anger and sadness... that's a lot of worries!

This worry book is here to help you in times of sadness and confusion and can be used as a tool to help deal with difficult situations you may be facing. As you journey through the stories, exercises and mind clouds, you will be provided with space to document your thoughts, feelings, wishes and dreams. You will meet several characters such as Henry Happy, Nora Nervous and Christopher Crabby, all with their own stories to tell. Tips, advice and puzzles are featured on every page to help you cope with problems that you may experience, while also helping to show you that even in the rain, the sun will always come out in the end.

Featuring a wide range of illustrations and puzzles of all sorts for you to enjoy, including word wheels, dot-to-dots and word searches, this book will help you tackle problems and to feel positive as you work your way through the book.

What's Worrying You? by Molly Potter, ISBN: 978-1472949806

We all have worries now and then, but sometimes worries can feel like they're getting bigger and bigger, like you can't control them any more. What do you do then?

What's Worrying You? is a book all about helping children understand their worries, and what to do when they feel overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.

Each page takes the child step-by-step through different worry scenarios, such as falling out with a friend, getting in trouble at school, or feeling like no one is listening. It talks about how they might feel, what they might think, and what could help them to ease the anxiety. With fun and lively illustrations from Sarah Jennings, gentle guidance on developing emotional literacy, and simple advice for tackling problems they might face, What's worrying you? is the perfect book for helping children deal with those trickier feelings and gain confidence in the world around them.

I feel sad, by Brian Moses, ISBN: 978-0750214063

Young children experience many confusing emotions in their early years and ‘I feel Sad’ looks at sadness, in a light-hearted but ultimately reassuring way. This picture book examines how and why people feel sad, illustrates scenarios of people feeling sad and upset, and the best way to deal with it with age-appropriate content.

Ideal for home or the classroom, this book contains notes for parents and teachers with suggestions of ways to help children deal with being sad.

Because Someone I Love Has Cancer, by Terri Ades, ISBN: 978-0944235324

Children may struggle with the uncertainty and inevitable change that come when a chronic illness affects someone they know. "Because Someone I Love Has Cancer" offers them support, encouragement, and the opportunity for imaginative personal expression. This inspired publication is designed to address the basic goals of therapeutic support for children (ages 6-12) who have a loved one with cancer. Creative activities allow children to work through and express unfamiliar feelings, and learn to recognize and tap into positive movements.

Bobby and Grandma: Talking to Children About Cancer Therapy, by Lynn Marzinski, ISBN-13 : 978-1542737425

Bobby is a young boy whose mother is being treated for cancer. He asks his grandmother to explain what is happening to his mother and she answers using the analogy of weeds in a garden. Suitable for children of elementary school age. Additional information regarding cancer treatment websites is included for adults.

GiGi & Her Many Hats, by Julie Kaye, ISBN: 978-1543020588

Gigi is a spunky Grandma that takes Rowen on many adventures. Rowen notices throughout the year that Gigi is always wearing hats & is becoming extremely tired. Despite her battle with cancer she still manages to make amazing memories with Rowen & her family. My mission for this book was to teach children that cancer can never change the way someone lives their life or get in the way of making memories. Join Rowen & Gigi on their adventures & learn a life lesson as well. Happy Reading!

I Miss You, by Pat Thomas, ISBN: 978-0750260824

This reassuring picture book explores the difficult issue of death for young children. Children's feelings and questions about this sensitive subject are looked at in a simple but realistic way. This book helps them to understand their loss and come to terms with it.

Written by a trained psychotherapist, journalist and parent, and illustrated by an experienced children's book artist, this is part of an acclaimed and successful series of picture-book non-fiction for Early Years. Books in the series give advice and promote interaction between children, parents, and teachers on a wide variety of personal, social and emotional issues. They are excellent tools for teachers to use during classroom discussions.

The Secret C: Straight Talking About Cancer, by Julie Stokes, ISBN: 978-0955953927

This illustrated guide for children provides a sensitive introduction for a child when a parent, sibling or a person close to them is diagnosed with cancer. Cancer in the family is hard for everyone, especially when children are involved. Children need to understand what is happening and it can be hard for adults to explain when they themselves are trying to come to terms with the implications of the diagnosis. Children often want information but sense that they need to protect their parents from the questions they want to ask.

The Feelings Book, by Dr Lynda Madison, ISBN: 978-1609581831

The Feelings Book will help you understand your emotions, and deal with them in positive ways. You’ll get tips on how to express your feelings and stay in control, plus get sensitive advice on handling fear, anxiety, jealousy, and grief. Learn how to stay in the driver’s seat of your own emotion.

The Feelings Book Journal, by Dr Lynda Madison, ISBN: 978-1609581848

This updated journal, designed to help you understand your emotions, is the perfect companion to The Feelings Book. It's a great hands-on guide that will help you identify and handle all kinds of emotions with entertaining quizzes, fill-in-the-blank exercises, and checklists. It also includes a section on "mood minders" - specific techniques to help you figure out feelings such as fear, anxiety, happiness, jealousy, disrespect, anger, loneliness, sadness, grief, and more.

I Have a Question about Cancer: Clear Answers for All Kids, including Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Special Needs, by Arlen Grad Gaines and Meredith Englander Polsky, ISBN: 978-1785926945

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.

My Parent Has Cancer and it Really Sucks, by Maya Silva (Author), Marc Silva (Author) ISBN: 978-1402273070

A book specially for the most forgotten family member when cancer strikes a parent: teens. It’s estimated that one million teens have a parent or close relative with cancer - and it really sucks. Which is why father-daughter team Mark and Maya Silver, who was a teenager when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, have written a book of advice and support specifically for the undeserved teenage audience.