Monday, November 15, 2010

You Are The Best Medicine


I was so excited to have been contacted by the publisher to review You Are The Best Medicine by Julie Aigner Clark (the founder of the Baby Einstein Company), and yet this book has sat around on my desk for a while. Not because I didn't think it was going to be good, but more because the topic of this book is tough.
You Are The Best Medicine is a picture book about a mom who has cancer. In the book she describes what she may feel and things that she may experience while undergoing treatment for cancer. While the story is sad, Clark leaves on a hopeful note, of life returning to normal. Even the illustrations, by Jana Christy are soft and comforting, done in pastels.
Although heartbreaking to think about, there are many children who must face a cancer diagnosis in a parent. You Are The Best Medicine is a wonderful resource, sharing only appropriate information that children can understand and process, still offering reassurance to them that what is occurring is a part of the cancer journey. School and public libraries should have this one at hand, as cancer is a part of many lives.
Also impressive to me is the fact that Clark is donating 100% of the proceeds from this book to UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Aigner Clark is a two time breast cancer survivor- a credential she lists before the fact that she is the founder of the Baby Einstein Company. Because Clark has lived through a cancer diagnosis -twice- and beaten the disease- twice- I feel as though she truly "gets it" and can relate to other parents who might be struggling to talk abou this with their children.
Thanks to Harper Collins for this beautiful and important book.



1 comment:

Peaceful Reader said...

Wow, what a difficult story to read but an important one. J just had a classmate's mom die two days after a cancer diagnosis. I'm glad you finally picked it up off that pile to review.