You are the best medicine

Julie Aigner-Clark

Book - 2010

A mother who has cancer gently informs her child of what the effects will be, and reminds her little one of all the special times they have shared, and will continue to share, even while she undergoes treatment.

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jE/Aigner-Clark
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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
New York : Balzer + Bray 2010.
Language
English
Main Author
Julie Aigner-Clark (-)
Other Authors
Jana Christy (illustrator)
Edition
1st ed
Physical Description
unpaged : col. ill. ; 25 cm
ISBN
9780061956447
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

Here's a much-needed book, and one that's done with lots of love. A mother narrates: When I tell you I have cancer, I will be sad. For each moment of hardship, this mother finds a happier time in the life of her and her daughter with which to equate it. When she feels scared, it will remind her of how she could make her frightened child feel safe after a nightmare, and that will calm her. When her hair falls out, she will remember her child's head as a baby and hope that her hair grows back as beautifully. When she feels sick, she'll think of the times she took care of her little girl and know just hearing her child's stories will do the same for her. Then comes hope: And then I will be well. And I will think of all the happiest times that we have had and the happy times we are going to have. Soft-edge illustrations, tender in feel and comforting in color, add sweetness to Baby Einstein founder Clark's story. Sadly, there will be much use for this, but anyone needing to talk to a child about cancer will find the right words here.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 3-This book delivers a soothing, lullabylike message from a mother with cancer to her young daughter. Reassuring and tactful, it affirms that love and kindness are the best medicine for anyone who is ill. While Clark addresses scary situations like chemotherapy and hair loss, she does so in a gentle, understanding way. Each of these difficult topics is bridged with memories that the mother has of her daughter as a baby. She explains how her child's first smile, her sweet baby hair, and times she had a cold will help her through her own hardships and fear. A happy ending is included; the mother recovers and rejoices in all the time that she and her daughter will have together in the future. Soft pastel illustrations are as beautiful and gentle as the text, and very child oriented. An important and heartfelt addition for most collections.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

In this heartstring-tugger, a mother who has cancer describes to her daughter everything that will be of comfort during treatment. The direct-address text, while reassuring, resorts to clichis ("...we will look back on this time and remember that love and kindness really are the best medicine"). Pleasant pastel-hued illustrations reflect the narrator's focus on the positive. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

Cancer is a tough topic for a picture book, but Clark strikes the right tone for young children. A mother answers questions that children often have before they are even asked.Can I catch cancer? Will you go to the doctor a lot? Why will you lose your hair? Will you be sick or tired?Putting a positive spin on such difficult questions is a challenge, but the narrator does so by involving her anxious daughter."There will be some days when I don't feel good, and then I will think of all the times I took care of you when you felt sick... I will be happy when you help me to feel better...." Muted pinks and reds circle mom and daughter as they remember the sweet times of the past that will sustain them.While adults know that it will take a lot more than the love of a child to heal a sick parent, a child will be comforted knowing that her mother plans on getting well and that she plays a role in the healing.(Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.