Even Little Kids Get Diabetes (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) [Paperback]

Connie Pirner (Author), Nadine Bernard Westcott (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up | Series: Albert Whitman Prairie Books

Easy language and simple explanations will help even very young children understand what it means to have diabetes. They will find some of their own experiences described and at the same time receive reassurance that they are still "regular kids."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-- A reasurring book for a potentially frightening discovery. Written for children who have recently learned that they have diabetes, it discusses symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. No punches are pulled: the young patient relates her hospital stay, explains how she must have injections everyday (and will eventually give them to herself), and states her frustration at never being able to eat sweets, even at a birthday party. Language is simple, age appropriate, and effectively gets the point across. The ink-and-watercolor drawings are lively and often upbeat, with small touches that reflect reality, such as a hospital scene in which the patient's teddy bear is outfitted with an I. V. board too. Perhaps the most valuable part of the book is the "note for parents," which relates Pirner's personal experience over the last three years in caring for a diabetic child. The book fills a definite void, as other titles on the subject are geared for much older readers. --Denise L. Moll, Lone Pine Elementary School, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The book fills a definite void, as other titles on the subject are geared for much older readers."

School Library Journal

"The book will be helpful to anyone who needs to explain this ailment to young children; a note for parents is appended."

Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807521590
• ISBN-13: 978-0807521595
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Diseases > Nonfiction
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Diseases > Fiction
  • #71 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Obsolete, inaccurate, insensitive, insulting, July 9, 2002

By 

Lidia (Boulder, CO, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Even Little Kids Get Diabetes (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

As a mother of a child (age 7.5) who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes this summer, I looked up any book that might help present his condition to his friends and classmates this fall at school.
This one came with good rating, I bought it, and returned.
Not only that it is obsolete (quote "... I don't ever eat candy or ice cream or cake ...", recommendation from the early 20th century), it is insensitive (quote "... My sister thought diabetes meant I would die..."), and it is insulting that it was not updated since 1994 with a more medically accurate and more cheerfull attitude (quote "...my mom cries because she worries...").

If you need a book on the subject, pick a more accurate, medically sane, and straight-forward (like "My own Type 1 Diabetes Book" by Sandra J. Hollenberg)...If you think that kids with type 1 should never, ever eat candy, find another doctor. But please, don't buy this book.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even Little Kids Get Diabetes, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Even Little Kids Get Diabetes (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

This book is wonderful! I am the mother of a two year old child recently diagnosed with diabetes. The hospital staff brought a copy of this book to my daughter and from the first reading, it helped her understand what was happening to her. My daughter's story is almost identical to that of the child in the story and this similarity made it easier for her to take her injections and blood tests. We were so happy with the book we ordered it from Amazon as soon as we brought her home. She still reads her book regularly. She really does think it is about her!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is the worst book ever written for children with diabetes, August 1, 2005

By 

E. Ullman "MSW, Advocate for Persons with Dia... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Even Little Kids Get Diabetes (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

My now 17 year old son was diagnosed with diabetes 16 years ago. I purchased this book when it first came out. It is by far the WORST book ever written for children with diabetes. I have bought and read many books about diabetes over the years. Pirner's book is extremely negative and filled with misinformation. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. There are many other books out there that are empowering and not depressing. Spare your precious child from this one. I wanted to give it zero stars but didn't have the option.