Mom Has Cancer! (Let's Talk about It (Barron))
Kindergarten-Grade 2—The first title is a straightforward narrative that exposes a young boy's anxiety prior to learning his mother's cancer diagnosis, his ability to adapt to lifestyle changes once provided with honest information and reassurance, and, most importantly, his family's resumption of familiar ways once treatment is completed. Steering clear of extraneous facts, the book focuses on just what needs to be said in order to make a tough situation manageable. Bright watercolors and cheerful cartoon illustrations keep the tone upbeat. While the book has definite value for kids facing cancer in the family, it is also suitable for sharing with friends and classmates. InMom Works Too!, the main character is adjusting to the fact that her pregnant mother will now be home for a period of time. The author suggests that moms are "at work" whether they are actually on the job or carrying out domestic tasks—an excellent message that is somewhat lost in this meandering story. More inspiring options for discussions on working moms are Peter Glassman'sMy Working Mom(HarperCollins, 1994) and Rebecca Emberly'sMy Mother's Secret Life(Little, Brown, 1998).—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CTCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.