Diabetes Doesn't Stop Maddie!

by Sarah Glenn Marsh, Maria Luisa Di Gravio (Illustrator)

Overview

Maddie was just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She's nervous about managing her disease and telling others. But as she goes back to school, plays soccer, and spends time with her friends, she becomes more comfortable and confident talking about her health. A sensitive story that's a great introduction to understanding diabetes for anyone who has the disease or knows someone who does.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807547038
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	04/01/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	473,996
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Sarah Glenn Marsh writes young adult novels and children's picture books. When she's not writing, Sarah enjoys watercolor painting, ghost hunting, and pursuits of the nerd variety. She lives in Virginia.

Maria Luisa Di Gravio works in many applications including children's books, covers, packaging, greeting cards, and apps. She lives in Italy.

Editorial Reviews

"Both reassuring for those with diabetes and educational for those around them."—Kirkus Reviews

"Marsh infuses the narrative with her own experience and emotional understanding as a diabetic, making Maddie's character all the more relatable. A good purchase for any library."—Booklist

From the Publisher

2020-01-12
Follow along on Maddie's first day back at school after a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

Maddie is understandably nervous; she's had a lot to learn and process. The very first page explains Type 1 diabetes: "Her body stopped making insulin, which turns sugar in food into energy." And on the next spread, readers see Maddie using her insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor and explaining them (in fairly adult language) to her younger brother. Packing for school is a bit complicated, what with the extra snacks and juice and backups for her monitor. Being prepared for her classmates' questions is another matter. Her friend Brianna's sister has diabetes, so she can answer many of the kids' questions, much to Maddie's relief. And Luis, whose grandfather has the disease, stands up for her when she needs a juice in art class and prompts her to cover up her CGM at a soccer game to avoid more questions. Di Gravio's illustrations capture emotions clearly, from Maddie's uncertainty and Brianna's matter-of-fact support to the curiosity, jealousy, and tendency to think the worst displayed by some of Maddie's diverse classmates. Maddie and her family are light skinned, Brianna has dark skin, and Luis is Latinx. Marsh's note describes her own connection to diabetes and her wish that no one should feel as though they are dealing with it alone.

Both reassuring for those with diabetes and educational for those around them. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

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