Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-Tankerous Mommy

Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-Tankerous Mommy by Amelia Frahm is a much different type of children's cancer book than the other two I had read. This book was a lot more realistic, as it dealt with the mother getting very ill and also very depressed from her illness.

The story begins with Tabitha and her mommy playing their favorite game, Tickles Tabitha. However, Tabitha's mommy is not like all other mommies. she wears a wig on her head and she has cancer. Sometimes her wig looks like a rat's nest, and sometimes she gets very angry and sad. In the end, Tabitha and her family play happily together again as they get mommy though a hard time.

I found this book very refreshing because it wasn't afraid to include some negative images of cancer. Depression, anger and sadness are all parts of going through a disease, and it is important for children to understand that and know that it isn't their fault. By including these images, children will be able to relate this to their own situations and will feel better about what they are going through. I would highly recommend this book to a classroom as well as in the home as well.