Year One with Type One
A very accessible picture book for preschoolers who are newly diagnosed with diabetes. Andrew has just learned that his pancreas does not produce insulin, so now he has to take on a lot of responsibility for his own well-being. Playful, cartoonish illustrations are paired with bouncy rhyming text in this upbeat, educational diabetes book for children. Helpful tips about disease managements are woven throughout, but the focus is primarily on a little boy living a very active, fun-filled life despite his diabetes.
Read Kids Books About Diabetes
Kids can feel very much isolated and alone in the management of their diabetes, especially at school and social outings when it seems like the rest of the kids don't have a care in the world. For this reason, it's a good idea to read children's books about diabetes. These books will show your child that diabetes doesn't have to define them or get in the way of having fun. Seeing these characters with diabetes living their best lives is a great way to give your child a boost!
Here is a collection of books about kids with diabetes that will help your child understand that this disease can be effectively managed. In the beginning, it may be tough for little ones to make some pretty big adjustments and take on a lot of responsibility. But with the right attitude and discipline, they can do what it takes to stay healthy and active!
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Taking Diabetes to School
A very easy-to-understand straightforward account of what life is like for a grade-schooler with diabetes. The little boy openly shares details about his condition with classmates and explains all of the things he does to manage his blood-sugar levels. There is a helpful quiz for kids who need to learn all the important terminology and steps they need to take to stay healthy.
Zeus: Dog of Chaos
Navigating middle school is tough enough, but for Madden, it's even harder with a service dog by his side. When his blood sugar level drops too low, Zeus, a German Shepherd, is there to alert him. This type of attention is exactly what Madden wants to avoid. On top of his diabetes, he is dealing with other issues like making amends with his mother and trying to win a band competition. A helpful middle-grade novel for every tween who is dealing with diabetes along with all of life's other challenges.
I Have Diabetes: A Children's Book About Juvenile Diabetes
This helpful picture book about diabetes will help young children learn about this disease. The charming, child-like drawings help to soften the message about managing juvenile diabetes. Readers will learn why they need insulin, the reason for checking their glucose levels, and why it is important for them to follow a specific diet.
Kids First, Diabetes Second
This award-winning guide for parents was written by a mother who has experience raising a diabetic child. The objective of this book is to help parents create an environment in which their kids thrive. The author offers tons of advice around the automation of tasks so that this disease does not take over a child's life. In addition to offering tactical tips, the book is full of encouragement and tips for managing the emotional toll this disease can take on a family.
A simple picture book for little kids who are figuring out life with diabetes. Children will learn a little bit about how to manage their diet and how to make good choices when around other kids who don't have food restrictions. Colorful illustrations and an overall upbeat message about life with diabetes.
Zippy is a talented ballerina who has worked hard to land the leading role in an upcoming production. She practices tirelessly so that her technique is absolutely perfect. But then, in the midst of all of her rehearsals, Zippy is diagnosed with diabetes. Her world is turned upside down and she is afraid her ballet career is over. Zippy digs deep and finds the strength to manage her new medical responsibilities and still keep up with her ballet. An inspiring story for children who will learn that giving up is not an option, even with the extra challenge of diabetes.
Audrey may is used to a life full of uncertainty. She is a bright nine year old who has traveled her entire life with her father, who works in the film industry. Finally, the day comes when her family settles down and she can go to a regular school. This big change brings all kinds of challenges for Audrey May, but then her world is really rocked when she is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. With the support of her parents and her little sister, Audrey May can overcome all these new challenges in her life.
Caillou: Emma's Extra Snacks, A Story About Type 1 Diabetes
Caillou's friend, Emma, has Type 1 diabetes. The only difference Caillou notices is that she is allowed to have extra snacks at school. But he's worried that she has an illness, like the flu, so he takes great caution when playing with her. When Emma beats him in a race, Caillou finally understands that she can be active and play just like everyone else. Perfect tone and message for preschoolers who have diabetes.
Another D for DeeDee
A realistic, coming-of-age novel about DeeDee, a girl whose difficult life is made more challenging with her recent diagnosis of diabetes. DeeDee is already struggling with the sudden disappearance of her father and the fact that her brother dropped out of high school. When she is forced to change schools, she has a difficult time making new friends. Life takes a turn for the better when she meets a boy who also has a medical issue to manage. They become fast friends, but when he transfers to her school, she is embarrassed by his condition and does not behave like a loyal friend. There are a lot of important lessons throughout this thought-provoking book about a diabetic teenager.
The Dinosaur Tamer: And Other Stories for Children with Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association produced this extremely helpful book for young children. There are twenty-five fictional stories about different characters who are learning to manage their diabetes. The tone of the book is very upbeat and includes tons of helpful medical information that little readers will understand. Some of these stories also address the emotional side of the disease which will encourage kids to talk about their feelings.
Super Sammy! A Tale for Type 1 Superheroes
Sammy is a little boy with a big imagination. He and his best friend, Scout, spend their days pretending to be superheroes. But when Sammy is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he is worried that his superhero days are over. Fortunately, as he learns about the disease and how to manage it, Sammy realizes that his life doesn't have to change. A reassuring story with factual information about Type 1 diabetes in young children.
Diabetes Doesn't Stop Maddie!
Maddie is an active, athletic little girl who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Just like most kids who have to face this disease, she is worried that she won't be able to take on the responsibility of managing it. Maddie is also nervous about telling her friends, but after she opens up about it, she feels much better. In no time at all, she is back to playing soccer, going to school and enjoying her time with friends!
Teddy Talks: A Paws-itive Story About Type 1 Diabetes
The author, a mother of two children with Type 1 diabetes, blends a reassuring story with solid, straightforward advice about managing the disease. Teddy, a fabulous fur friend, shares all kinds of useful information about he and Emily stay healthy together. They eat healthy foods and monitor sugar levels all throughout the day. But most importantly, they don't let Emily's diabetes stand in the way of having fun. A useful glossary contains helpful terms, and there are tips for using the continuous glucose monitor.
Was It Something I Ate?
A humorous, rhyming book will put every child with type 1 diabetes at ease. In accessible, kid-friendly language, the author (who happens to be a diabetes educator) clears up a lot of misconceptions about the disease. Kids are also introduced to terms that may sound scary and new, like pancreas, insulin, and autoimmune. But by reading this book, kids will feel much better about their diagnosis and empowered with information to help them manage their health.
Diabetes Cookbooks for Kids
Finding new ways to eat is critical for children diagnosed with diabetes. Parents can help by finding some easy, fun, kid-friendly recipes in cookbooks filled with healthy snacks and meals. Kids should be encouraged to take an active role in shopping for ingredients and following along with the food preparation. In doing so, they will feel empowered to take control of their well-being. They will also learn a lot about foods that they can eat to maintain safe blood sugar levels.
Diabetes Snacks, Treats, & Easy Eats for Kids
Parents with diabetic children face the challenge of finding easy, kid-friendly ideas for meals and snacks. This helpful book contains 150 recipes that children will not only enjoy, but are also healthy for them. Fun foods like Pizza Puffs and Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes will appeal to the taste buds of young children. Every recipe includes nutritional information for kids who count carbs or follow the exchange method.
America's Best Cookbook for Kids with Diabetes
More than 125 mouth-watering recipes are included in this excellent diabetes cookbook for children. Diabetes experts have approved every single recipe, including the breakdown of nutritional content. The book includes recipes for mealtime staples, like spaghetti and meatballs, as well as some more unusual ideas like strawberry waffles and peanut butter chip muffins. The entire family will enjoy eating these delicious diabetic-friendly foods!
The Everything Guide to Cooking for Children with Diabetes
With 200 recipes for delicious snacks, meals, and desserts, there are plenty of options to satisfy you diabetic child. One example of a mouth-watering meal includes a delectable grilled cheeseburger sandwich paired with baked potato chips and chocolate cheesecake mouse to top it off. Taco salads, wholegrain pancakes, and grilled ranch chicken are some additional favorites. This popular diabetic recipe book is a solid choice to add to your collection.
Diabetes Cookbook & Meal Plan for the Newly Diagnosed
Even though this cookbook is not expressly written for kids, it is chock full of recipes little ones will love. Perfect for parents of children who have been recently diagnosed, the book lays out a four-week plan for shopping, food prep, and cooking family-friendly recipes. This best-selling diabetic cookbook includes more than 100 delicious meal ideas and tips for eating healthy.
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Best Children's Books About Diabetes
Reading books to your children is an effective and reassuring place to start their education about managing diabetes. Children are typically diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes between the ages of 4 and 6, and then again during puberty between the ages of 14 and 16. Parents of young children with diabetes are consumed with the medical aspects of managing this disease. Making major dietary changes, constantly monitoring blood sugar levels, and giving insulin shots can be overwhelming.
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Facts About Childhood Diabetes
When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, the most important step a parent can take is to learn everything possible about managing the condition. From there, it is critical to start educating the child. The more information everyone has about diabetes, the more confident they will feel about how to keep the child healthy.
It's normal to feel upset and overwhelmed initially. However, it won't take long before the necessary changes, like monitoring glucose levels and new food habits, are a natural part the child's daily routine. Here are some interesting facts and information about childhood diabetes that your children will want to know.
Type 1 Diabetes in Children
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when a child's body ceases to produce an important hormone called insulin. Since insulin is necessary for survival, kids need to replace it either through injections or a pump.
- Symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children include fatigue, weight loss, extreme thirst, excessive urination (and perhaps even bed-wetting), extreme hunger, irritability, and fruity-smelling breath.
- For most kids with type 1 diabetes, the cause is due to the body's immune system mistakenly attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin plays a very important role in moving sugar from a child's bloodstream to the cells for energy. When insulin is absent, sugar builds up in the bloodstream and causes dangerous complications.
- There are four risk areas that have been attributed to type 1 diabetes in children. These include family history, genetics, race (more prevalent in white children), and exposure to certain viruses that trigger an autoimmune response to islet (insulin) cells.
Type 2 Diabetes in Children
- Years ago, it was almost unheard of for a child to have type 2 diabetes. However, due to a spike in obesity amongst children, the number of type 2 diabetes cases is rapidly rising.
- Children who have type 2 diabetes are referred to as insulin-resistant. Their bodies do produce insulin (unlike the children who have type 1 diabetes) but they don't respond to it. As a result, sugar builds up in their bloodstream and can cause serious conditions like heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness.
- Higher than normal risk of developing type 2 diabetes are associated with girls, overweight children, family history, and kids of American Indian, African American, Asian, or Hispanic/Latino descent.
- Symptoms of type 2 diabetes do not usually appear suddenly. Rather, they progress gradually over time and are often not recognized until they have become problematic. Some of these symptoms include hunger (even right after eating), dry mouth, heavy breathing, slow healing of cuts and sores, fatigue, excessive urination, and unexplained weight loss.
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