Books for the Girls: The Goodbye Cancer Garden
Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash
Those who know me know I love books, especially kids’ books, and I enjoy telling people about my favorites. I plan to occasionally share about books that are relevant for the Girls.
The Goodbye Cancer Garden
written by Janna Matthies
illustrated by Kristi Valiant
2011
This book was based on and written during the author’s own breast cancer journey, and sets a cancer treatment timeline against the backdrop of the growing season. I chose to share this book now because it goes well with the sudden burst of springtime we are experiencing in my neck of the woods - we even had fresh asparagus from our backyard garden for dinner this week!
In the story, when the mom starts treatment early in the year, the doctor tells the kids that mom will be getting better around pumpkin time. This gives the daughter the idea to plant a garden and harvest healthy veggies: “…Hello, pumpkins, goodbye cancer!”
Even though cancer treatment is a serious matter, we see the family working together to joyfully celebrate victories along the way: mom coming home from the hospital, a head-shaving party to beat chemo to the punch, and an end of chemo picnic. The family is surrounded by a caring community expressing their love in various ways.
The family finds everyday life still continuing on even in the midst of cancer - planning and planting the garden, family vacation, starting a new school year.
The illustrator’s vibrant colors with sketch lines showing through bring out the personality of each of the characters and the richness of the vegetables from the garden. I especially liked the illustration of the mom looking all cute and sassy with her newly shaved head.
In this delightful book the author and illustrator have by example given us an instruction manual on positively approaching a cancer diagnosis and treatment with young kids.
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Look for this book at your local library or independent bookstore. Blog For the Girls does not receive a commission or payment for reviewing this book.
If you have an encouraging book you want to tell us about, mention it in the comments below.