Cricket Gives Comfort: Exploring Epilepsy (Helping Paws Academy)

This inviting chapter book series explores health topics through the friendly lens of therapy dogs. Follow an adorable therapy dog helping a child through a diagnosis of epilepsy with strong messages of empathy, kindness, and courage. Therapy dogs are specially trained to help kids through medical experiences—from lifting spirits, motivating movement, modelling the power of play, and more. Nonfiction back matter provides more information about medical topics introduced in the books, from acute to chronic issues, while also providing more information about therapy dog programs and the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center.

My Review

A short chapter book with lots of illustrations, covering epilepsy. Cricket spends the day helping a child cope with his seizures and the tests he needs to help control them. Cricket also plays with a child in physio rehab and plays frisbee with another of the therapy dogs.

I liked the story. I think it explains epilepsy, and the way seizures are investigated, well, and the illustrations are very good. They’re fun and cheery. The book shows the relationships between therapy dogs, their handlers, hospital staff and, most importantly, patients.

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Dash and the Cancer Center: Learning About Leukemia

This inviting chapter book series explores health topics through the friendly lens of therapy dogs. Follow an adorable therapy dog helping a child through a cancer diagnosis with strong messages of empathy, kindness, and courage. Therapy dogs are specially trained to help kids through medical experiences—from lifting spirits, motivating movement, modelling the power of play, and more. Nonfiction back matter provides more information about medical topics introduced in the books, from acute to chronic issues, while also providing more information about therapy dog programs and the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with paediatric experts.

My Review

In this book we meet Dash, who helps a child with leukaemia understand their diagnosis and treatment. Again, short, educational chapters and fun illustrations, that follow Dash through their day.

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Lumos Helps with Healing: Battling Broken Bones (Helping Paws Academy)

This inviting chapter book series explores health topics through the friendly lens of therapy dogs. Follow an adorable therapy dog helping a child who broke her arm with strong messages of empathy, kindness, and courage. Therapy dogs are specially trained to help kids through medical experiences—from lifting spirits, motivating movement, modelling the power of play, and more. Nonfiction back matter provides more information about medical topics introduced in the books, from acute to chronic issues, while also providing more information about therapy dog programs and the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with paediatric experts. Proceeds from the sale of every book go to benefit important medical research and education at Mayo Clinic.

My Review

We meet Lumos, a therapy dog at children’s hospital, and his handler. They help Ada, a child with a broken arm, cope with her first visit to a hospital after falling and hurting her arm, and Greta, a child in a wheelchair at her rehab session. Lumos enjoys helping children and mentoring other therapy dogs, and playing with his handler’s sons once his working day is done.

This story guides children through hospital trips and what happens when you have an X-ray and brake an arm. The story sensitively explains the process of having a cast put on and how to properly care for it. The interlude with Greta normalises children being in wheelchairs and the freedom a set of wheels brings. A wheelchair opens up the world to those who need them. I wish they’d mentioned that you shouldn’t touch a person’s chair without asking. The story shows Greta and Lumos navigating an obstacle course and having a lot of fun.

I enjoyed this story; the information is explained in a way children will understand but without being condescending. I also enjoyed the illustrations and the relationship between Lumos and his handler.

There’s only so much I can say about each of the books, but overall I think these books are helpful introductions to hospitals and a variety of medical conditions, for young children. I also think they’re good introductions to the concept of therapy dogs and what they can do for patients. I found the stories engaging and characters likeable.