We Can Do Hard Things: A Story of a Mother's Journey with Breast Cancer through the Eyes of Her Daughter

by Melissa Dupuis, Maddy Moore (Illustrator)

Overview

Join a brave young girl and her mama as they navigate the challenges of breast cancer together. From drawing pictures to sharing hugs, trying on hats, and dancing through tough days, they discover that love and teamwork make even the hardest things possible. We Can Do Hard Things is a touching, uplifting story that helps children understand illness, express their feelings, and find strength in family. Perfect for sparking meaningful conversations, this book shows kids that they, too, can face life's challenges with courage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781961978614
Publisher:	Briley & Baxter Publications
Publication date:	10/21/2025
Pages:	28
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.07(d)
Age Range:	3 - 8 Years

About the Author

Melissa, a first-time author, is so grateful to be able to bring her story to life! She was born in Massachusetts and grew up as a professional ballet dancer in the Boston area. She currently teaches pilates in Boston and on the North Shore. As a health and wellness advocate, she lives and breathes a healthy lifestyle for herself, her family, and her clients. Therefore, when she was diagnosed with Stage three HER2+ breast cancer at the age of thirty-eight, her world was rocked. She couldn't believe a healthy person such as herself could get so sick. She was a new mom of a beautiful baby girl, who was just one year old at the time. Throughout her year of treatment (chemo, double mastectomy, and radiation), she maintained her healthy lifestyle as best as she could, striving to show her daughter her strength and to set an example for women everywhere to be advocates for their own health. She was inspired to write this story of her journey through her daughter's eyes as a way to give back to the cancer community. This story is a way for others to share their diagnosis with their young children and show them that, no matter what life throws at you, you can do hard things. Whether it's a cancer diagnosis or tying your shoes, your little ones will be inspired to keep trying, be strong, and do the hard things!She resides in the North Shore with her beautiful family: her husband, daughter Sage, son Asher, and Australian Shepherd Stanlee. After treatment, she got back on the stage to perform the Nutcracker and is so grateful that she is healthy and happy. Never take life for granted-it's truly a gift!

Maddy is a professional illustrator who has been working in the industry for well over a decade. Maddy grew up in an international family and has consequently lived and worked in various corners of the world. She began her career as an artist at fifteen, where she would complete commission-based illustrations around her commitments as she pursued her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pennsylvania. Maddy's art can be viewed at: maddymoore.art.