For World Book Day, we asked parents of children with difficult illnesses if they found reading to their children helpful or if they themselves found solace in books.
Suchismita Halder, mother of Ethan who has a rare condition Alagille Syndrome and Congenital Heart Disease
1. Any book that you read out to your child during a treatment or difficult phase which was both entertainment and comfort for both of you?
Ethan is not very consistent when it comes to books—he goes through phases. When he was around 2 or 3 years old, he used to love Hugless Douglas and would laugh when I read it in an animated way. He also enjoyed Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers and Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae.
Then there was a Julia Donaldson phase—he enjoyed The Gruffalo, What the Ladybird Heard, The Smartest Giant in Town, and The Snail and the Whale. He would also enjoy Sukumar Ray’s Abol Tabol poems.
I equally enjoyed these books with him.
At times, however, it felt like the anticipation of an ending he already knew would overwhelm him, and he would not let me continue reading.
2. Did you come across any book that proved to be helpful for you during your child's illness or treatment?
If you mean in terms of navigating treatment or hospitalisation, for me it has always been science. I realised that the only way I can calm myself is to ensure I know everything about the upcoming procedure—the good, the bad, and the ugly. So I usually delve into research journals and read papers published by clinicians and surgeons.
3. Do you have any comfort book/books that you like to revisit?
My comfort book is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I remember being introduced to this story in Grade 6, and since then it has been my go-to book. I also enjoyed My Grandmother Sends Her Apologies and Regards by Fredrik Backman.
I also enjoy reading Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham, and Robin Cook. One of my guilty pleasures is reading Harry Potter... the whole series at a go.
However, after my son was born, I rarely open a physical book. I have transitioned to reading online.
Karishma Kotwani, mother of Diyara a Neuroblastoma survivor
1. Any book that you read out to your child during a treatment or difficult phase which was both entertainment and comfort for both of you?
We did use Books when we started treatment to help her understand why she needed to go to the hospital everyday instead of going to nursery school. And then later as well, when she fractured her left in the midst of treatment.
The Big Adventures of the Little Skivolo - Questions and Answers for young people facing Neuroblastoma (BigAdventures_English.pdf ). We printed this to read in the hospital. While we thought the books were for her, it actually helped both of us get somewhat mentally prepared for our journey as parents too.
2. Was there a comfort book that you went back to?
She liked Peppa Pig and we found this book Peppa goes to Hospital. Was non-medical and wanted to be read before going to bed every night. I was scrolling through our pictures and found that this book was usually kept next to hospital bed.
Pritisudha, mother of Rudranshi, born with Congenital Heart Disease
1. Any book that you read out to your child during a treatment or difficult phase which was both entertainment and comfort for the both of you?
My child was very small while she underwent the surgeries so she would not understand any of the books. So I didn't read any book to her at the time.
2. Did you come across any book that proved to be helpful for you during your child's illness or treatment?
- A Little Book of Happiness - Ruskin Bond
- Breathe Mamma Breathe - Shonda Moralis
- Stop letting everything affect you - Daniel Chidiac
These books were something that kept me going. But these books are not related to my child's illness or treatment.
3. Do you have any comfort book/books that you like to revisit?
Mainly books by Swami Vivekananda. They help me cope spiritually.
If you have a book to recommend please write to us.
