Why, Charlie Brown, Why? : A Story About What Happens When a Friend Is Very Ill

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Summary: A Helpful Guide for Classmates
Review: As a parent of a child who has been through leukemia treatment, I can't tell you how many times the video (didn't even know there was a book until now) of this story has been recommended to new parents, and for sharing with classmates of a leukemia patient. Along with our copy of "Sesame Street Goes to the Hospital," and Mister Rogers' "Going to the Hospital," this is part of our 'permanent collection.'

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Summary: Why, Indeed.
Review: My sons, ages 9 and 11, were recently exposed to this book and video as part of the grade school curriculum. They were both really freaked out by it and it created a lot of anxiety in our household. My eldest cried, convinced that he had cancer, and my youngest said "Why would they show such a terrible movie to kids -- it had Charlie Brown, but it was NOT funny at all." I guess he's always associated the lovable Peanuts gang with Christmas, the Great Pumpkin, and Snoopy, not hospitals and cancer.

So my criticism is directed not so much with the material itself, but with the decision to present it to children. With things like terrorism, war, divorce, AIDs, school shootings, and everything else kids have to worry about, why dial up the anxiety even higher? When it comes to children, a lot of adults would do well by learning how to BACK OFF.

For families coping with cancer, I'm sure this book is probably helpful. For the rest, I think cancer is a topic better left to the "cross that bridge when we come to it" category. Educators, please keep this in mind.

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Summary: An Exceptional Peanuts Book
Review: This book, or the video by the same title, is excellent for elementary school aged children confronting cancer in themselves or their families. I have donated multiple copies of the book and video to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago for their use with young cancer patients and their families. The story is especially good for siblings of children with cancer, since it shows how they sometimes feel that they are being ignored, and their sister or brother is getting all of the attention. It also teaches a child how to defend a classmate against bullying, when the girl with cancer is made fun of for having lost her hair. My only reservation would be not to use this book with a child who has extremely advanced cancer, since of course the story has a happy ending, and it might cause the child to wonder why they don't seem to be recovering. Overall: well done, Charles Schulz!

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Summary: Such a wonderful book.
Review: This is such a wonderful book. Compassionate and educational, a must have book for every child.