Once upon a Hopeful Night [Paperback]

Risa Sacks Vaffe (Author), Troy Cramer (Author), Risa S Yaffe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1890504106 | ISBN-13: 978-1890504106 | Publication Date: November 1, 1998 | Edition: 1

...a touching story providing a gentle way for parents with cancer to talk with their young children about their disease and treatment...written in verse with beautiful sepia-tone illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Many years ago, when some people became mysteriously ill and died, there was no name for what was happening to them. Years later, the illness was identified as cancer. Though doctors knew what it was, they did not know how to cure it, and people continued to die. Ignorance and fear made people feel uncomfortable talking about cancer, while the patient felt isolated from family and friends. As science advanced, treatments were developed that successfully fought and sometimes cured cancer. Although we have advanced medically in the treatment of cancer, we have not advanced psychologically in our ability to talk about it. Once Upon a Hopeful Night was created as a tool that parents can use to break the news to their children and open the lines of communication so that the specific situations of each family can be addressed. I want parents and children to know that with every day, there is hope for new treatments, hope for recovery, and hope for cure.

About the Author

In 1991, while pursuing her career and raising her family, Risa Yaffe's world was turned upside down with a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She was immediately faced with very aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments while trying to parent through the cancer experience. The concern for her young children's peace of mind and well being inspired her to write Once Upon a Hopeful Night. Her story conveys information, opens discussion about cancer, and helps parents and children cope with the illness affecting their family. She is involved with the Washington Coalition for Cancer Survivors where she helps others facing a cancer diagnosis. Risa Yaffe was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area where she works and lives with her husband and two teenage children.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Oncology Nursing Society; 1 edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890504106
• ISBN-13: 978-1890504106
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 7.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,269,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Applied Psychology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book reminds us of the importance of love and family., March 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Once upon a Hopeful Night (Paperback)

This heart felt book reads like a beautiful Robert Lewis Stephenson verse for children but with a message so powerful and important that it should be required reading for any parent or child living with illness in their family. Not only can it help people to cope with how to deal with their children in these times of stress, but it also reminds us all of what is truly important in life: the love and support of family. Thank you Risa S. Yaffe for not only living through what you lived through but for having the courage to write this very special book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, insightful, caring and heartfelt. A must., February 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Once upon a Hopeful Night (Paperback)

If you or anyone you love has lived through the tragedy of cancer -- whether youth or senior -- this book is a must. I suggest that you consider it medicine to get one on the right path.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loving, Caring,Couldn't get enough of her wonderful words., December 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Once upon a Hopeful Night (Paperback)

In a crisis such as this, and we all have crisis, you could not have found a more sensitive, caring book to read to your children or anyone else in this case. This book should be around forever, and read by all.