Cancer Hates Kisses

by Jessica Reid Sliwerski, Mika Song (Illustrator)

Overview

Mothers are superhero's when they're battling cancer, and this empowering picture book gives them an honest yet spirited way to share the difficult experience with their kids.
 
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 heartwarming illustrations, Cancer Hates Kisses is relatable to any type of cancer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735227811
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/19/2017
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	434,745
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Jessica Reid Sliwerski is a literacy specialist, reading enthusiast, and former elementary school teacher. This picture book was inspired by her own breast cancer treatment and recovery. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and daughter.
 
Mika Song grew up in Manila, Philippines, and Honolulu, Hawaii before moving to New York to study at Pratt Institute. She worked in children's educational animation before devoting herself to writing and illustrating children's books. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. Cancer Hates Kisses is her second picture book.

Editorial Reviews

10/01/2017
PreS-Gr 1— As a woman bravely battles cancer, her loving family stands with her every step of the way. The kids know their mother is no ordinary mom; to them she is a "cancer fighting superhero!" She is brave, even when she needs surgery. Afterwards, the children kiss her "warrior wounds." When her hair falls out after chemo, they tell her she looks fierce. Sometimes she is tired and sad, but cancer hates dance parties, so they dance the tears away. Fighting cancer is hard work, but cancer hates compliments, and hugs, and high fives, and together their family has the superhero strength to fight the disease. An approachable and empowering story that describes the hardships that cancer brings and meets each one with an equally empowering affirmation such as "cancer hates kisses" and "cancer hates laughter." The book skillfully pushes through the fear and confusion and helps readers focus on how they can support their loved one. The cheery, light, watercolor-wash illustrations create a cozy and comforting mood as the story follows the family through the stages of treatment and recovery. Endpapers include a note from a cancer specialist with information for caregivers on talking about cancer with their children and a note from the author describing her own experience battling breast cancer after the birth of her daughter. VERDICT An indispensable tool for parents and caregivers and a must-buy for most collections.— Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library

School Library Journal

2017-07-04
This is a much-needed title about a disease that affects too many families. In this multiracial family, it's Mama, a white woman, who's battling cancer. The children narrate in short, descriptive statements. The very first comment captures their admiration for their mother and their optimism about the outcome: "Mama is a cancer-fighting superhero." They maintain this tone throughout, keeping young readers' fears at bay. In addition, watercolor-and-ink drawings that range from vignettes to full spreads are painted in soft, comforting pastel colors. Mama bravely goes to the doctor for tests, keeps up her daily routine, even undergoes surgery in a hospital with a diverse staff. In a touching scene in the hospital, the children kiss Mama's "warrior wounds," as "Cancer hates kisses," with their father, an Asian man, and grandmother also in loving attendance. Mama's cheerleaders are honest when they acknowledge that the treatments, especially chemo, exhaust their mother, make her lose her hair, and make her cry sometimes. Then the family does combat together, with dance parties and jokes. The book provides just the right amount of information about what to expect and balances that with an outline of how the family can offer support and love—because what cancer hates most is love. Closing with notes from a cancer specialist and the author, a cancer survivor, this book with its positive message is a must-have for all collections serving families. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews