From mental health to young-onset Alzheimer's disease and poverty, these books help kids of all ages learn about difficult topics.
There were few topics that were off the table for discussion with my son. When we has little, we read books about changing bodies, touch and death. As he got older, we read books about human trafficking and mental health issues. Here are six books that may be stepping stones to help you talk to your children about a variety of issues.
The Flat Rabbit (OwlKids, www.owlkidsbooks.com)
One day dog and rat come across a rabbit lying flat on the road. Rabbit has obviously been hit by a car. Both rat and dog feel the whole situation is rather sad and decide they need to move her so no one would find and eat her. But they also didn't think returning her to her home outside of No. 34 was a good idea: “...but what would the people there think if they saw a dog and a rat bringing back their rabbit, totally flattened?”
The pair come up with an idea to honour rabbit and give her the send-off she deserves.
I must confess that The Flat Rabbit made me laugh. Poor rabbit is literally squished flat like a pancake, and two strangers come together to ensure she is taken care off.
Death often seems to be a taboo subject for many parents. This book can help people broach a serious topic, in a not serious way.
The Flat Rabbit is by Bardur Oskarsson.
Heart Sister (Orca Book Publishing, www.orcabook.com)
Emmitt's world comes crashing down after his twin sister is killed in an accident. His mom and dad are falling apart, but Emmitt finds hope after receiving an anonymous thank you letter from one of the transplant recipients who received Minnie's organs; his sister was an organ donor.
Emmitt decides he will track down each recipient, filming them to show his parents the “result of Minnie's selfless act help them move on.” But each recipient doesn't meet his expectations. Emmitt is banking on his “heart sister”, who refuses to meet him. “What he doesn't know is that his 'heart sister' is hiding an agonizing secret, one that could push Emmitt to the breaking point.”
Heart Sister was a fast and interesting read with great characters. Emmitt's actions to track down his sister's organ recipients were illegal, deceiving and unkind, yet, as author Michael F. Stewart says in my interview with him: “Moral acts need to be weighed against the stakes, or perceived stakes. He’s not just finding his Heart Sister; he’s saving his mom.”
Heart Sister talks about two taboo subjects: death and organ donation as well as the grieving process.
Read my interview with Stewart here: https://booktime584.wordpress.
The King of Jam Sandwiches (Orca Book Publishing, www.orcabook.com)
In one of Eric Walters latest books, we meet 13-year-old Robbie who lives with his dad, who is unlike other parents – he often leaves Robbie along for long periods of time or wakes him in the middle of the night to talk about dying. Robbie is terrified someone will find out and he will be placed into foster care. Then one day he meets a girl and he wonders if she can keep her secret.
This book is based on the Canadian author's youth: “Many things I've written about are from my life. The question I'm already being asked is, How much of this is true? The answer is simple – too much and not enough.”
While Robbie's father obviously has some sort of mental illness, the book also discusses growing up in poverty – not only going hungry, but also not having the basic necessity of life. The King of Jam Sandwiches would be a great launching tool to talk about what your child is seeing around him and what he can do to help.
My Name is Konisola (Second Story Press, www.secondstorypress.ca)
In the middle of a Canadian winter, nine-year-old Konisola and her mom step off a plane from Nigeria, where they fled violence. The pair stay with a kind woman they meet at the airport, until Konisola's mom falls ill and the pair are separated. Eventually Konisola “meets a remarkable Canadian nurse and things begin to change for the better.”
My Name is Konisola is based on a true story of Konisola and her Canadian family. This book, written by Alisa Siegal, can be used to talk about violence against women, refugees and the importance of family.
The Space Between Lost and Found (Raincoast Books, www.raincoast.com)
Cassie always looked up to her mom who wasn't afraid of anything. Then one day, her mom is diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's disease, and Cassie goes from child to parent – ensuring her mom is happy, safe and eating well, while helping her check off items from her bucket list.
According to Statistics Canada from 2012, 1.9 million Canadians between the ages of 15 to 29 provide care to a family member or friend with a “long-term health condition, disability or aging needs.”
I found Cassie a great character. She is a young girl with way too much responsibility, but who understands the need for her mom to be social and get outside the house as often as possible.
This book by Sandy Stark-McGinnis is a great tool for talking about young caregivers as well as Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, a fatal group of diseases that affects about 747,000 Canadians.
Small Things (Pajama Press, www.pajamapress.ca)
In this black and white graphic novel/picture book, we watch as a little boy is overcome by the little anxieties that manifest into “shadowy creatures that constantly crowed his periphery and affect his sleep, his grades at school and his relationships with those who care.”
The images in this book are exceptionally powerful as we watch the shadowy creatures take bits out of the little boy, increasing his sense of worry and fear. We see the importance of reaching out to those who care to ensure anxiety is kept at bay, as well as the importance of reaching out to others who may be struggling.
Small Things by Mel Tregonning is a powerful book that helps parents talk about mental health. I read this book to my son a few years ago and he still talks about it.
Lisa Day is the author of two book blogs – Book Time (https://booktime584.
