read: Books for Children to Help Explain and Cope with Cancer in the Family

Click on any title to purchase the book from Amazon.com

For A Parent to Read:

"Can I Still Kiss You: Answering Your Children's Questions About Cancer" by Neil Russell

"Cancer in the Family: Helping Children Understand," by Sue P. Heiney, Joan F. Hermann, Joy L. Fincannon (From Barnes & Noble)

"Helping Your Children Cope With Your Cancer: A Guide For Parents And Families" by Peter R. Van Dernoot, Madelyn Case (From Barnes & Noble)

"How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness" by Kathleen McCue, Ron Bonn
This is a book I wish I'd known about "back then" - SV

"When a Parent Has Cancer" by Wendy Harpham, MD (and a cancer survivor)

"When Children Grieve: For Adults to Help Children Deal With Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses," by John W. James, Russell Friedman, Leslie Landon Matthews (Contributor)
I highly recommend this book as it sheds light on the "myths" we (typically in the U.S.) were taught about proper responses to grief.

To Read With Your Child:

"Our Family Has Cancer, Too!" (ages 9-12) by Christine Clifford, Jack Lindstrom

"The Paper Chain" (for ages 4-8) by Claire Blake

"Once Upon a Hopeful Night" by Risa Yaffe, Troy Cramer (sounds very nice)

"Daddy's Cancer and My Daddy's Cancer" by Cindy Klein Cohen (1997) by Promise Publications 

"When Eric's Mom Fought Cancer" by Judith Vigna 

"My Mommy Has Cancer" by Carolyn Stearns Parkinson (a 5-yr old boy's mom; what causes cancer)

"The Kissing Hand" (more about separation anxiety but a nice concept that helps a lot when you can't be together)

For Children With Cancer

Kathy's Hats : A Story of Hope by Trudy Krisher. A little girl loses her hair as a result of treatment for cancer, and she hates the hats she wears to cover her baldness until her mother tells her she should also be wearing a thinking cap -- he most important thing about a person is the way she thinks about things.

"The Kissing Hand" (more about separation anxiety but a nice concept that helps a lot when you can't be together)

Let's Talk About When Kids Have Cancer (The Let's Talk Library)
by Melanie Apel Gordon, Melanie Apel Gorden

Little Tree : A Story for Children With Serious Medical Problems by Joyce C. Mills, Michael Chesworth. Let Little Tree help you help the child who is coping with illness...and don't be surprised if you too feel its soothing, soulful message

Our Family Has Cancer, Too! by Christine Clifford, Jack Lindstrom (Illustrator)
Providing comfort through the knowledge that "you are not alone," Our Family Has Cancer, Too! Is an ideal gift for children ages 7-12 whose families have been touched to cancer. A special "Questions to Ask" section invites kids to write down their questions for parents, doctors, teachers, and others. Additional worksheets inspire family members to draw and record their feelings for later discussion. Powerful "Stop and Discuss" suggestions throughout the book encourage dialogue between parents and children. The book also contains a glossary of the most common words kids might hear when someone in their family has cancer.

Surviving Childhood Cancer : A Guide for Families by Margot Joan Fromer. 
From Book News, Inc. , June 1, 1995
Intended for children with cancer and their family and friends, this informative, sensitive guide describes the illness, its treatment, and how it changes the lives of the child and everybody involved with the child. A glossary of relevant terms is provided and a resource section lists supportive organizations. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Pediatric Cancer Sourcebook : Basic Consumer Health Information About Leukemias, Brain Tumors, Sarcomas (Health Reference Series) by Edward J. Prucha (Editor), Ed Prucha (Editor)