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Cancer and Treatments > Childhood / Pediatric Cancers > Pediatric Cancer Resources
The purpose of this information guide is to direct patients and
health care professionals to sources of information on cancer and related topics,
it does not constitute an endorsement of the information contained in the resources.
This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to provide starting points for Information seeking. All listed materials
can be found at the Patient Education Resource Center of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in room B1-361.
updated 11/2010
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American Cancer Society. "What Happened to You, Happened to Me."
For teenagers.
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Lift Me Up.
A 22 page coloring book is filled with inspirational pictures to color for the 3-10 year old child
diagnosed with cancer. Order free at
www.candlelighters.org
or call 800-366-2223.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
For all:
Klett, Amy. Amazing Hannah: Look at Everything I Can Do! Order free at
www.candlelighters.org.
For children ages 2-6.
Homer, Melodie, and Andy Lendway. Chemo Crusader and the Cancer
Fighting Crew. Marlton, N.J: PEPCO, 1999.
Gaynor, Ruth. The Famous Hat. Dublin: Special Stories Publishing, 2008.
Written to help young children with cancer prepare for a hospital stay, chemotherapy, and hair loss.
Gordon, Apel Melanie. Let's Talk About: When Kids Have Cancer. New York: Power Kids Press, 1999.
A book for kids with cancer ages 4-8.
Deland, M. Maitland. The Great Katie Kate Tackles Questions About Cancer. Austin, TX: Greenleaf, 2010.
The Great Katie Kate helps a young girl who was just diagnosed with cancer to learn about the hospital and her treatment.
Krisher, Trudy. Kathy's Hats. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman and Co., 1992.
Beautifully illustrated story of a girl with cancer focuses on hair loss.
For ages 4-10.
Cranston, Lynda. You and Your Cancer: A Child's Guide. Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker Inc, 2001.
Text, illustrations and activity pages aimed at children with cancer.
Keene, Nancy & Romain, Trevor. Chemo, Craziness & Comfort: My Book About Childhood Cancer.
Candlelighters; 2002.
Strumpf, Katie. I Never Signed Up for This: An Upfront Guide to Dealing with Cancer at a Young Age. Baltimore, MD: Publish America, 2006.
A childhood cancer survivor gives advice and discusses fear of death, the difficulty of accepting cancer at a young age and how she dealt with hair loss.
Therrien, Patricia. An Enemy Within: Overcoming Cancer and Other Life-Threatening Diseases. Broomall, PA: Mason Crest Publishers, 2009.
Five teenagers tell their stories about having cancer. Other chapters focus on what it's like to be a survivor.
Bone marrow transplants:
Lilleby, Kathryn U. Stevie's New Blood. Pittsburgh: Oncology Nursing Press, 2000.
This book is intended for children who are undergoing a bone marrow transplant. It explains the
process with lovely illustrations and two text levels:
a large print version for kids ages 6-10, and a small print version for ages 10-17.
Younger children can follow the illustrations.
Crowe, Karen. Me and My Marrow: a Kid's Guide to Bone Marrow Transplants. Deerfield, IL: Fugisawa Healthcare, Inc., 1999.
Explanations and advice on coping with a Bone Marrow Transplant.
For ages 10-18.
A printable version is available at:
www.meandmymarrow.com.
Brain tumors
Rose, Ellen. Ellen Rose's Story. Boston: Brain Tumor Society.
Written by a five-year-old girl about her life with a brain tumor. It describes her surgery,
radiation and chemotherapy.
For ages 5-9.
Rosenberg, Doris. Talking Lady Presents: Having a Brain Tumor. Toronto, Canada: Talking Lady Press, 1996.
An illustrated book for kids diagnosed with a brain tumor. Explains brain tumors and brain
surgery. Emphasized the importance of expression, artistic and verbal.
For kids ages 5-10.
American Brain Tumor Association. Alex's Journey. Des Plains, IL: American Brain Tumor Association, 1994.
The story of an eleven year old by boy diagnosed with a brain tumor.
For ages 9-14.
Leukemia:
Wescott, Patsy. Living with Leukemia. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, 2000.
The story of three kids who have leukemia. Describes the disease and suggests ways of coping.
For children ages 4-12
Moehn, Heather. When Someone You Know Has Leukemia. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2000.
Overview of leukemia for kids ages 12-18. Intended for friends and relatives of patients.
Apel, Melanie Ann. Coping with Leukemia. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2001.
Includes medical explanations of leukemia and tips from teenage patients. Has a chapter for teenage siblings and
discussion of the emotional side of living with cancer.
My Hair's Falling Out...Am I Still Pretty? Necessary Pictures Film & Media, 1992 (22 minutes).
Live action, dance, animation, and music tell the story of two hospital roommates living with
childhood cancer. The story is told from the point of view of a physician who had cancer as a child, explaining
diagnostic tests, hospital procedures, and the effects of chemotherapy and hair loss.
Brain tumors:
American Brain Tumor Association. Alex's Journey. Des Plains, IL: American Brain Tumor Association, 2000
(30 minutes).
Based on the book mentioned above, the video focuses on the diagnosis and surgery.
For ages 9-14.
Leukemia:
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A Little Help From My Friends: Living with Leukemia and Lymphoma.
New York: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1999 (20 minutes).
For children ages 6-12.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Making the Grade: Back to School After Cancer for Teens. New York:
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1999 (20 minutes).
KIDZ with Leukemia: a Space Adventure
An interactive CD-ROM for children with leukemia (ages 4-11), their families, friends
and classmates. Available in the pediatric infusion area.
Starbright
An interactive computer network where hospitalized kids from across the nation can interact with a community of their
peers, helping each other cope with day-to-day realities of living with an illness. Accessible in the pediatric
infusion area and 7west.
National Marrow Donor Program. Discovery to Recovery: A Child's Guide to
Bone Marrow Transplant
An educational, interactive DVD and booklet for children ages five to nine,
who will be undergoing a marrow or cord blood transplant. Order a free
copy
online.
The kids' section of the American Brain Tumor Association's
provides kids- friendly information about brain tumors. The site
has interactive features and enables children to share their
thoughts and engage in activities.
I'm Too Young for This! Cancer Foundation
This site offers an online community, support services, and resources for young adults facing cancer.
KidsHealth - Health Problems: Cancer
Basic information about cancer and treatment for kids provided by the Nemours Foundation.
Click on "Cancer" to expand the list and see all the topics.
TeensHealth - Diseases and Conditions: Cancer
Basic information about cancer and treatment for teenagers provided by the Nemours Foundation.
Click on "Cancer & Tumors" to expand the list and see all the topics.
Teens Living with Cancer
This document is not intended to take the place of the care and attention of your personal physician or other professional medical services.
Our aim is to promote active participation in your care and treatment
by providing information and education. Questions about individual health concerns or specific treatment options should be discussed with your physician.
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