Chicken Friend

Chicken Friend/Nicola Morgan

Massachusetts, USA: Candlewick Press, 2004

This book would be suitable for children ages 8-11.

Becca's family has moved to the country, she is homeschooled and lonely. She does, however, have her chickens, the only 'friends' that listen to her. When she meets two girls who live nearby she desperately wants to fit in. However she is not keen on telling anyone she has diabetes. She is embarrassed about it. She decides to hold a birthday party for herself to show that she is no different from anybody else. You can imagine the consequences of this! Eventually, after a few disasters, Becca comes to realise that her family really does care about her. There is a good twist at the end.

This is a fun, poignant book, full of humour but with a touch of sadness. 11 year olds would certainly be able to identify with Becca. The plot moves along at a lively pace with the dialogue perfect for a teenage girl. It is a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

The diabetic dog game

www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/insulin/game/insulin.html
"Diabetes and Insulin". Nobelprize.org. 22 Apr 2012

This is a fun interactive tool to use to learn about diabetes and should appeal to all ages! I have included it here for a bit of fun.

What's Up with Ella?

What's up with Ella? Medikidz explain Type 1 Diabetes/Dr Kim Chilman-Blair & John Taddeo (adapted from materials written by Maxwell Pankhurst; art by Liquid Comics)

London, England:Medikidz, 2009.

This graphic novel is targeted towards 9- 15 years. It is part of the series title: Medikidz.The Medikidz are superheroes who travel inside the body to explain diabetes. Ella has a diabetic turn and the Medikidz take her to Mediland (which is in fact the human body). There she has an adventure with an invasion by bacteria who are fought off by the white blood cells.She is shown how diabetes affects the way the body works. The Medikidz don't beat around the bush but mix fun with fact. Medical information is presented in such a way that can be understood by the reader.

Explaining diabetes using this genre is a fun and exciting way to reach out to those children who suffer the diasease.The graphics are colourful, easy to follow and the dialogue relates well to children of this age.

explaining...DIABETES

explaining ....DIABETES/ Anita Loughrey.

London, England:Franklin Watts, 2008

This book gives a good overview of diabetes and covers such topics as a brief history of diabetes, Types 1 & 2, symptoms, living with diabetes at home and at school and what the future contains. There are also some case histories of people, young and old, who suffer from diabetes and a list of famous people with the disease.

The book is suitable for children approx 9 upwards and young adults. It would also be a good help for parents of younger children to help explain the disease in simple terms. The photos and pictures are large, colourful, informative and non threatening.

A glossary of websites is included in the back of the book as well as a list of further books to read.

How to Deal with DIABETES

How to Deal with DIABETES/Lynette Robbins

New York,NY:The Rosen Publishing Group,Inc, 2010

This 24 page book is aimed at young children. It provides clear information on the signs and symptoms of diabetes and how it can be managed.This book is written in such a way as to appeal to children.The different types of diabetes are explained with relevant corresponding photos. The photos show real people, are large and colourful. The font of the text is also big enough to be read easily. The size of the book is ideal in that it doesn't take long to read and will accommodate the short attention span of children.

World Diabetes Day

The theme of World Diabetes Day 2012 is Diabetes: Protect our Future, 2009 -2013: Diabetes Education and Prevention.
I have chosen my reading material to relate to 'our future' - children and young adults who may be diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2.
I hope that this material will provide them with valuable information about the disease and which will help them understand and cope with it.


This is my first blog using the title of 'Toffee Angel'. I wanted a name that would appeal to children and young adults and which would also alert them to the difficulties that young diabetics have in respect of this disease. 'Toffee' of course is a no-no for those suffering from diabetes but there is an 'angel' out there in the form of good diet, exercise and insulin.
I hope to provide, in the following blogs, a range of reading that will appeal and help in the management of this disease which is becoming more and more prevalent in children and young adults.

Here's the link to the World Diabetes Day
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/index.html