Book Description:
Once upon a time . . . It’s how all heroes begin their story, and you’re a hero, too! Your mama has cancer, and it’s a scary journey, but you can help your mama just by being you—special, wonderful, YOU. Your mama loves you just the way you are. You are your mama’s knight.
Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love is an emotional toolbox that can help kids and parents communicate about what it means for Mama to have cancer. The book is filled with tools and activities designed to make coping with illness easier on both parent and child, and can be personalized for each child.
Buy the Book: Author's Website
My Review:
I would give this book 1000 stars if I could. As a cancer survivor this book is very special to me. My children were not small but were still young when I battled my cancer. I wish this book had of been round to share with them. The book will make a child feel special during a horrible time in their families life. The book is also kind of like a log, that you fill out. The Child is knighted as on the first pages. So they have a special place in the journey.
The story is from a Mama with cancer to their special Knight. To give them love and support as well as helping them to understand the battle. I cried while reading this book and am crying again as I write this. Cancer is a horrible time for anyone and their families. Children especially since they want to help but cannot.
Aurora Whittet has done an amazing job with this book. She can help so many families with her special story and by making every child feel special. This will also help the Mama's by giving them a way of helping them help their child through their harrowing journey. The illustrations in this book are amazing as well. They are fun which is most needed at this time.
Author's Bio:
Aurora Whittet started out as a wild red-haired girl in Minnesota dreaming up stories for her friends to read. Today, she has completed Bloodmark, Bloodrealms, and Bloodmoon of the Bloodmark Saga trilogy and started her journey into children’s books with Mama’s Knight in honor of her own mother who lost her battle with cancer. She’s a national award-winning graphic designer and birth doula in her day jobs. Aurora lives with her family in Minnesota.
Guest Post:
Listening to strangers changed my life.
By Aurora Whittet
Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love was drawn from just that love. I lost my own mother to uterine cancer in 2013, and that hole is still just as big in my heart. When my friend Tyson was diagnosed with brain cancer and she had two little boys at home I knew I had to help. So, I took my pain and fear and I started to transform it into something to help moms with cancer everywhere, but I couldn’t do it alone. I needed moms with cancer to help guide the book, so that it was exactly what they needed.
No matter the type of cancer this book could be a tool for her family. Mom can write in her diagnosis and symptoms, photos of her child and family, find activities to do based on her energy level. I created ways for children to try to talk about emotions in ways little ones can understand better, even hired an amazing illustrator Jen Rich @hellojenrich to illustrate those feelings into coloring sheets and games. There are coupons so mom can ask for help, because somedays even super heroes need help. Everything in this book came from research with moms that were fighting for their lives. Each of them loved being part of the book, helping form it into what it is today. It helped them through their struggle, knowing they could help someone else too. It was truly an emotional experience writing this book and partnering with moms. As much as they say I helped inspire them, I they truly inspired me.
I didn’t stop there either, I sent it to a pediatrician, family therapist and an oncologist to make sure that what I published was the right tone for children from all those different perspectives. I was truly honored and inspired working with them as they gave feedback and in the end, each endorsed the book.
Each of these people impacted me personally, helping me heal from the loss of my own mom, by helping them and as I watch Mama’s Knight out in the world helping other moms, I couldn’t be more proud of the hard and emotional work it took to get here.
Now, I continue that work researching and drawing and writing the daddy version of the book. Because dads get cancer too. The smallest spark can be the inspiration that impacts someone else’s life. Never doubt your ability to make change.
Giveaway:
Win a signed copy of Mama's Knight: A Cancer Story of Love (USA only - 5 winners total)
Ends April 29
Sounds like a good read! :D
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