When a Brave Bear Fights Cancer
By Carola Schmidt (author) and Mark O’Dwyer (photographer)
Children aren’t supposed to get cancer. I’m sure I’m not the only mom whose heart rips in two upon hearing that a child has cancer. Suddenly the child’s world goes from playing with friends to getting poked and prodded by people using big scary words they don’t understand. They’re still loved, but those who love them are scared and upset too.
The Beatles said all you need is love, and that’s what’s offered in When a Brave Bear Fights Cancer. Carola Schmidt writes a story that matter-of-factly talks about cancer in a way children and their families can understand. She uses big words like chemotherapy and immunotherapy as she provides a high-level tour of the diagnosis and treatment process. Schmidt doesn’t shy away from discussing cancer, but her message focuses on one particular medicine – love.
What makes this touching picture book special Is how photographer Mark O’Dwyer brings the story to life as Scotty the teddy bear gets diagnosed and treated for cancer. The pictures are bright and colorful scenes of the doctor bear, nurse bear, and the others who help Scotty. His fellow patients are particularly adorable and make me want to reach through the page and hug them. The story focuses on feelings and addresses them well.
Teddy bears are terrific choices to emphasize love because of BEAR HUGS! The love and comfort of a bear hug is something both children and adults understand.
I wish this book had been available when my son’s classmate was diagnosed with leukemia, because she and her parents would have appreciated the loving message.
When a Brave Bear Fights Cancer is a loving walk through a child's diagnosis and treatment of cancer. There's a special medicine shining through the 5-star book - love. Click To TweetThanks to the Carola Schmidt Cancer Team for sharing this lovely book with me.
