Coren's cancer chronicels

A five-year-old's journey through leukemia, friendship, and hope

by Lauren.C

Coren is five. She has a gap in her teeth, bangs that go straight across, and a lot of questions. When she gets very sick and nobody can say why, a blood test finally gives her family an answer: stage 4 leukemia. In the emergency department she meets Jen, a child life specialist, and Buddy, a medical doll who helps her understand the procedures coming next. Hospital days look different from school days. There is a playroom, visiting teachers, art, and music. Coren loses her hair. Her dad lets her shave his head so they match. On the roof with her mom, they watch helicopters that carry other sick people, and Coren decides that is where she wants to work when she grows up. After two and a half years of treatment, her hair grows back. She goes back to school. She still jokes with the nurses, sliding the thermometer into the gap between her teeth. This gentle, honest picture book helps children understand what cancer treatment can look like—and that you can still be yourself, still laugh, and still dream, even when you are very sick.

• Children's Picture Books
• Social & Emotional
• Educational Nonfiction