In honour of Children’s Book Week, which takes place from November 6th to 12th, 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 story is about a girl who has a tonic-clonic seizure at her birthday party. It explains seizure first aid in clear and simple language and can help to help reassure children who may witness a seizure.
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.
The Great Katie Kate Explains Epilepsy by Dr. M. Maitland DeLand, MD: 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.
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 discusses different types of seizures and what they can look like. A kids quiz and teachers checklist are also included.
Becky the Brave by Laurie Lears: In this story Sarah’s sister Becky has a seizure in class at her new school. Becky stops going to school because she is afraid of being teased. Sarah then tells Becky’s class what epilepsy and seizures are. When Becky learns that her class has learned about epilepsy and care about her, she goes back to school.
Mighty Mike Bounces Back: A Boy’s Life with Epilepsy by Robert Skead and Mike Simmel: Mike 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 for himself against bullying.
Medikidz Explain Epilepsy by Kim Chilman-Blair and Shawn DeLoach: The Medikidz are a group of superheroes from space who teach kids about various medical conditions. In this comic book, they teach a boy about epilepsy by traveling inside the brain to explain its functions and the nervous system.
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.
During Children’s Book Week, we hope everyone chooses to read one of the above-mentioned picture books and novels about epilepsy, some of which you can find through retailers like Amazon. Find out more about Children’s Book Week here.