I broke my usual cycle and put out a long overdue book that I started in 2016, though I thought needed done after we lost our pup, and their parents tried to explain to my young nieces and nephews.
The new book, Meiklo Gets Better (will hit the shelves week of 19-23 Feb) answers a very tough question: How do you talk about cancer to younger children, without frightening them? I don't know anyone who hasn't had a family member with cancer, and my family is no exception. The answer came when our dog, Meiklo got lymphoma a couple of years ago, and went through many rounds of chemo (far cheaper with fewer side effects than for people), went into remission (though after a year of remission, and more chemo, the pup lost, though the book skips that part).
Dogs are a very non-threatening way of providing a lesson, and this lesson ends with remission.
Meiklo Gets Better is a true story, drawn from my pictures, that covers the process of diagnosis, getting chemo (drawings from pictures taken by our vet oncologist and staff, Dr. Smith at VSS, during treatment), and going into remission. It should be very helpful to:
1) Kids with cancer
2) Kids in families where someone has cancer
3) As part of a school lesson on cancer.
4) People with pets getting chemo.
As per always, royalties from this picture book will go to children's charities, and I will donate a stack of books to children's cancer centers (Cardinal Glennon, St. Jude, Etc.).
Look for the book next week, and God bless you if this issue hits home for you,
Bryce
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