H is for Hair Fairy: An Alphabet of Encouragement and Insight for Kids (and Kids at Heart!) with Cancer [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Kim Martin (Author), Wend Boomhower (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 29, 2005

An alphabet book with a mission, this 32-page picture book will inspire, comfort, educate and encourage children being treated for cancer. Using colorful, warm, humorous illustrations and verse, the author employs the alphabet to feature different aspects of coping with cancer treatment. Many pages include practical information about where to find help or relief for children at this challenging time in their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Hair Fairy, creations of the author, are a humorous pair who visit cancer patients on the day they lose their hair and leave them a gift. They also watch over cancer patients and guide us through this heartwarming book of encouragement. Although written for children, the book is great for people of all ages. H is for Hair Fairy: An Alphabet of Encouragement and Insight for Kids (and Kids at Heart!) With Cancer kicks off the Hair Fairy Project created by the author in memory of her son, Nolan (1985-1993), who went through cancer twice before the age of eight, and in honor of her 17-year-old daughter Andrea, a cancer survivor, who finished treatment for bone cancer in 2004. This non-profit project brings joy and encouragement to children with cancer.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

All proceeds from the book will be donated to a non-profit organization to benefit children with cancer. The author wishes to thank two important people by donating her first and second royalty checks from H is for Hair Fairy to their non-profit organizations which also benefit kids with cancer. They are Saranne Rothberg, founder of the Comedy Cures Foundation, for her insightful suggestions which have greatly improved and enriched the book, and John Beltzer, founder of the Songs of Love Foundation dedicated to writing original songs for children with life threatening or chronic illness (Andrea's song is beautiful! Thank you John!). All proceeds thereafter will be donated to a non-profit account set up for the Hair Fairy Project through the West 86th Street Optimist Club.

About the Author

Kim Martin lives in Indiana, is nearing completion of her elementary education degree at Ball State University and is the mother of five children. With optimism and hope, she and her husband have helped two of their children through three bouts with cancer-each one different, rare, and requiring intense treatments. Being intimately familiar with the ups and downs of helping a toddler, elementary age, and teenage child live with cancer, Kim has chosen to focus on the positive and is using the insights she has gained to encourage and comfort others. Her dream is to bring smiles to the faces of families living with cancer, and she is currently in the process of creating the Hair Fairy Project in memory of her son, Nolan, and in honor of her daughter, Andrea, to bring more joy to more kids living with cancer. Wend Boomhower moved to America from England on September 11, 2001. She lives in Indiana with her husband Mark, his three children, and Freckles, their dog. She frequently visits her grown children and family in England. Wend received an Honors degree in Graphic Design from Norwich School of Art in 1978. Since then, she has worked over 25 years as a professional graphic designer and illustrator.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing; 1 edition (July 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412049792
• ISBN-13: 978-1412049795
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hair Fairy- an encourager for children and adults with cancer, January 27, 2006

By 

Ingrid Hook (Cicero, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: H is for Hair Fairy: An Alphabet of Encouragement and Insight for Kids (and Kids at Heart!) with Cancer (Paperback)

This book is for children and adults alike! Every person experiencing cancer can relate to this wonderful book which makes you reflect and laugh. The colorful, whimsical illustrations appeal to all ages!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book full of encouragement and understanding!, January 23, 2006

By 

Rachel Demaree "Rachelini" (Arcadia, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: H is for Hair Fairy: An Alphabet of Encouragement and Insight for Kids (and Kids at Heart!) with Cancer (Paperback)

I'll never forget the during freshman year when the entire band was called down to hear from a nurse from the pediatric oncology unit at St. Vincent's hospital. We were all there because on of our band members and friends, Andrea Martin, had been diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer after having a rib removed the summer before. That day I was not only introduced to the specifics of Andrea's case, I was also introduced to a book her mother, Kim, and her had been creating together to help get them through that time in their lives. After losing one child to cancer years before, the Martin's certainly know the physical and emotional pain that cancer causes not only the patient but their family. This is an amazingly uplifting and encouraging books, that not only helps cancer patients feel less scared and confused, but also lets them see their condition just as something to deal with and not worry about. Adorable illustrations and great writing help bring the message of the story of the Hair Fairies to life. I reccomend this book to anyone, young and old, who is dealing with cancer or knows someone who has been affected by it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children with cancer, January 23, 2006

By 

Carol J. Reynolds (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: H is for Hair Fairy: An Alphabet of Encouragement and Insight for Kids (and Kids at Heart!) with Cancer (Paperback)

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family suffers. Everyone needs help. This darling book is designed to explain unfamiliar words, concepts and treatment that children and parents may encounter for the first time. Two of the author's children have undergone treatment for cancer. Her compassionate, light-hearted, yet knowledgeable attitude comes through on every page. The cheerful illustrations hold the attention of little ones. Having seen first-hand the benefit this book can be to a family dealing with childhood cancer, I can highly recommend "H is for Hair Fairy".