April 23rd is World Book Night – Information on Picture Books and Novels about Epilepsy

April 23rd is World Book Night and is a day in honour of reading and books put on by The Reading Agency, a charity that tackles life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading. World Book Night celebrates the positive impact that reading can make on the lives of people around the world.

In honour of World Book Night, we wanted to showcase various picture books and novels about epilepsy that you can read with your family, friends and loved ones to help them understand epilepsy. Please see below for a list:

• Violet’s Special Day by Amy Guenther
  • This book is about a girl who has a tonic-clonic seizure at her birthday party. The book can help to reassure children who may witness a seizure and explains seizure first aid in clear and simple language.
• Lee, the Rabbit with Epilepsy by Deborah Moss and Carol Schwartz
  • This book is about Lee, who is a rabbit diagnosed with epilepsy but the medicine she is given to control her seizures reduces her worries and she learns that she can still lead a normal life.
• Taking Seizure Disorders to School: A Story About Epilepsy by Kim Gosselin
  • This book explains epilepsy in an upbeat manner from the perspective of a character who has it. It also discusses different types of seizures and what they can look like.
• The Great Katie Kate Explains Epilepsy by Dr. M. Maitland DeLand M.D.
  • This book is about a child diagnosed with epilepsy. The child and other patients at the neurologist’s office get a visit from the Great Katie Kate, a superhero who takes them on a medical adventure to learn about epilepsy.
• Sometimes I Get the Wiggles: Calling All Seizure Heroes by Andee Cooper
  • This book is about a child with epilepsy who wants to go to school but worries about how people might react to his epilepsy. He then comes up with an idea to train everyone in his class to be Seizure Heroes.
• Let’s Learn with Teddy about Epilepsy by Dr. Yvonne Zelenka and Melissa Leyton
  • This book tells the story of a child who gets diagnosed with epilepsy along with the doctors visits, the tests, possible treatments and his relationships with family and friends.
• Mommy, I Feel Funny! A Child’s Experience with Epilepsy by Danielle M Rocheford
  • This book is about a little girl who is diagnosed with epilepsy and takes you through the days following her first seizure and the thoughts, fears and emotions of her and her family that come with the discovery, understanding and acceptance of epilepsy.
• Becky the Brave by Laurie Lears
  • This book is about Sarah’s sister Becky who has a seizure in class at her new school and stops going to school because she is afraid of being teased. Sarah then explains what epilepsy and seizures are to Becky’s class.
• Mighty Mike Bounces Back: A Boy’s Life with Epilepsy by Robert Skead and Mike Simmel
  • This book is about Mike who worries about having seizures at school and being different from his friends. When he starts playing basketball, Mike uncovers a positive way to calm his mind, improve his health, and stand up against bullying.
• Medikidz Explain Epilepsy by Kim Chilman-Blair and Shawn DeLoache
  • In this comic book, the Medikidz (who are a group of superheroes from space who teach kids about various medical conditions) travel inside the brain to explain epilepsy and seizures.
• Takedown by E.M.J Benjamin
  • This novel is about a star high school wrestler with a shot at winning the state championship who finds his life turned upside down when he is diagnosed with epilepsy
• Dings by Lance Fogan
  • This novel is about an 8-year-old boy who gets diagnosed with epilepsy and takes you through the clinical and emotional journey of the family.

Did you know that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, World Book Night is going digital this year? An online #ReadingHour will be taking place on April 23rd from 7 PM to 8 PM. We encourage everyone to take part in #ReadingHour and hope you will choose to read one of the above-mentioned picture books and novels about epilepsy!

This World Book Night, we hope everyone shares in the pleasure of reading a book, either alone or with family! Find out more about World Book Night here.