It has been sadly estimated that almost 16,000 children under the age of 20 in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year. It regrettably remains the leading cause of disease-related death for young children. Recently, President Obama has declared the month of September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and in honor of all the children, their families and their loved ones whose lives have been forever altered by this horrendous disease, I'd like to share a beautifully touching story called
Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!, which published in 2010 by award-winning children's author/medical journalist Sherry North and Illustrated by Kathleen Rietz.
As our tale begins, young Cody and his ever faithful Golden Retriever puppy named Champ, are busy practicing for an upcoming agility course competition. As Champ skillfully manages to jump through hurdles and tunnels with ease, Cody gets very excited about their chances. As he pets his puppy, he feels a bump underneath Champ's fur, and decides that they need to go see the vet. When Cody and his father take Champ to the vet for tests, they soon learn the devastating news that his puppy has cancer. Cody is in disbelief, as to him, Champ doesn't look or act sick. The vet gently explains that sometimes, this is, "...the strange thing about cancer. Patients can seem fine even though they are sick inside." Noticing how the little boy has become scared and understandably confused at this turn of events, as he questions whether Champ will ever be okay, the vet honestly tells Cody that, "we have strong medicines to fight the cancer, but she will have to come here every week, and she won't like it." That, we soon learn, is an understatement, as we see how Champ, just like a human, doesn't like to take her medicine. But, her friend Cody finds ways that help hide the taste but coating the medicine with yummy peanut butter! You and your little ones will feel humbled as you join this journey of how a loyal little boy stands beside his sick puppy throughout the course of her treatment.
All of you, whether you and your family have faced childhood and/or any other form of cancer, will find a helpful understanding of the disease all throughout as you read
Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!. As an educator and a mother, needless to say, I have always been a strong proponent of providing children with the knowledge that will help them to process all of the many issues and struggles that life will give them to face. North's heartfelt yet powerful story, filled with four pages of facts about cancer (which include a "True or False" quiz to assess their familiarity with the disease; to how children who have been diagnosed with cancer like Champ, learn to cope with their condition as well as their treatments; to a discussion on the many ways that we can try to live healthy lives) will provide your children and students with essential information that is told in a simple yet profound way, and in my eyes, this is most certainly a 'must have' book in any library shelf.
Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!
Written by Sherry North & Illustrated by Kathleen Rietz
Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2010)
Website: www.sylvandellpublishing.com
ISBN: 978-1607180777 (Hardcover)
For ages 4 thru 9
Retails for $16.95 (Hardcover; also available in Paperback and as an eBook in English & Spanish)
