Update: I just accepted a spot on the internet radio show, D's Roundtable Radio Show ( www.blogtalkradio.com/droundtable), 6 pm EST on March 10, 2010. I'll discuss Mom's Story and more...
Available Now:
Mom’s Story
A Child Learns About MS
Non-fiction/General
Trade Paperback
Publisher: Chalet Publishers, LLC
Publication Date: November-2009
Price: $9.95 + tax (Arizona residents only) + shipping
Size: 5 x 8
Author: Mary Jo Nickum
ISBN: 978-0-9840836-5-7
80 Pages
Available from Ingram Book Group, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from Chalet Publishers, LLC
Pick up a copy today from the following bookstores:
Gridley's, Fountain Hills, AZ
Changing Hands, Tempe, AZ
Contact information:
www.chaletpublishers.com www.marynickum.com mjnickum@cox.net
Ten percent of the net proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Mom’s Story; A Child Learns About MS tells the story of a young girl who sees her mother with some frightening health problems and learns she has MS but she will not die from it. This book is a compassionate, accessible and easy to understand account of symptoms, search for help, diagnosis and adaptation to this heart-wrenching disease. Amy fears the worst, which is common when one is confronted by the unknown. Her best friend, Kayla, doesn’t quite understand why Amy is so worried. Amy’s older sister, Kelly is concerned and does her best to help, while older brother, Tony, tries to deny the whole situation. Information is the key to allaying much of her fear along with understanding from parents, adult friends and her older sister.
Review excerpts:
“...Mary provides the basic facts about MS, facts that every child should know if there is a family member with the disease and that they can easily understand. The book provides plenty of useful resources such as websites, books, DVDs, associations and groups. There is also a glossary on MS-related terms and an explanation on basic types of MS and the MRI procedure. I admit, I learned a lot from it. A spot that made my heart cringe was when Amy asks if mommy was going to die. No child should be faced with this question without a quick and reassuring NO!”
http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/1511/1/Moms-Story-A-Child-Learns-About-MS-Reviewed-By-Karen-Coiffi-Ventrice/Page1.html "While the child is learning about MS, Nickum cleverly weaves tidbits of information on how online help can be found for those interested in learning about MS. In addition to this, at the end of the book the author included a section titled Information Resources for Families. These pages contain sources of additional information in the form of websites, books, videos, and DVDs that help aid in the understanding of MS.
The education doesn’t end there though, there are a number of other features in Mom’s Story that help with a child’s understanding of MS. With simplicity, Nickum incorporates the pronunciation of technical words associated with MS into the story. Words such as optic neuritis (op-tik nur-I’-tis), and demyelination (dee-mi-lin-A’-shun) are written again in parenthesis breaking the word down for easy pronunciation. This is a wonderful tool for children and adults as some of the words are difficult to pronounce. The author also included a glossary. Words such as Central Nervous System (CNS), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and Myelin are explained in a manner that children will be able to comprehend."
http://rhodesreview.com/?p=407
I think this would be a great book for children who’s parents have been diagnosed with MS. I also think the ideas behind it could be used to discuss any major parental illness with children, such as getting the videos, books, internet research, etc. Kids get afraid very easy, and to deny the facts in order to protect them can sometimes make things much worse.
Responses:
Cora Laine Says:
I had the pleasure a few weeks ago to read this 80 page book about a child’s view of MS. I am 60 and was captured by the story, it is still fresh in my mind. Mary Jo Nickum caught the essence of MS and the effect it had on this family.
http://debsbookreviews.blogspot.com.
As a fellow MSer, I highly recommend this book since so many children have a friend or family member suffering from this disease. This is an easy to read and understand book explaining MS to children. Not only does Ms. Nickum insert the pronunciation of the medical terms of MS but there is also a glossary in the back of the book where she explains them.
Also, in the back of the book the author lists several resources that will help you on your journey to learn about this complex and heart wrenching disease.
relainewest@hotmail.com
Ms. Nickum has woven a very natural and sensitive story of a family who must cope with the realization that one parent has a chronic illness. In coping, they find that knowledge is power that dispels fear.
From personal insight and sensitivity, the author develops the various reactions of the characters as they attempt to deal with their complex feelings of trying to accept and understand the chronic illness of a parent.
Although it is especially written for children, all family members who need support in understanding a chronic illness and how it can affect a family should read this book. Children’s support groups for dealing with chronically ill parents will find this book especially helpful.
An excellent beginners guide and source for printed and audio-visual resources available to learn more about MS.
REWestphal
Virtual Book Tours:
http://thebumpyroadtopublishing.blogspot.com.
Internet Radio:
www.childrenauthorsshow.com
Articles
Mom’s Story; A Child Learns About MS By Mary Nickum At Isnare.com Ezine Articles: http://bit.ly/6hxu1m.