St. Jude child life specialists help patients and families adjust to having a child or teen in the hospital. They put together this list of books for siblings of St. Jude patients. Parents and other caregivers can find help here and ask their child life specialist for more ideas.
Books for siblings and other family members
- When Molly was in the Hospital. Anna's little sister, Molly, goes into the hospital for an operation. Anna tells readers about the experience from her point of view. This book offers support and comfort for the siblings of St. Jude patients.
- Franklin Goes to the Hospital. Franklin's shell has cracked, and he needs to be a brave turtle when it's time to go to the hospital. We get to see Franklin experience the hospital for the first time. This book is a great introduction for siblings who are new to the medical world.
- The Invisible String. This story teaches young and old that people who love one another are always connected by a special string, made of love. Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart and know that you are always connected. It is a wonderful book for families who are separated because of illness or treatment.
- Girls, Drums, and Dangerous Pie. Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life: he plays drums, has a crush on a girl in school, and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey. But when Jeffrey gets leukemia, Steven's world turns upside down. Written for teens, this book tells what it’s like for a sibling to live a normal life while also worrying about his brother.