M.C. Plays Hide & Seek by Eva Grayzel

Join us for this tour from Jan 5 to Feb 1, 2021!

Book Description

M.C. is a cancer cell who shares just enough information about the nature of the disease to promote dialogue and minimize fear. The scary part of cancer is the unknown. Learn about doctors who look for cancer.
Understand feelings children experience and learn ways to cope. Empower children with knowledge and how to make a difference. M.C. Plays Hide & Seek strengthens communication and builds emotional health.

Book Details

Book Title:  MC Plays Hide and Seek: An Empowering Story for Healthy Children Who Care About a Person Living with Cancer by Eva Grayzel
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  64 pages
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Mascot Books
Release date:   Jan 5, 2021
Content Rating:  G for everyone.

*Interview*

Why do you recommend sharing a cancer diagnosis with children?

Children are smarter than adults give them credit for. They hear the muffled cries, the whispering, the unusual amount of phone calls. The scariest part of cancer is the unknown. Children often make up the worst case scenario. The not-knowing is terrifying.

It’s a challenge to keep a secret! Instead, put that energy into creating open and honest paths for communication, a life lesson that will merit great reward.

Why is it important to be transparent with children about something that is scary?

Cancer is a family affair. Everyone in the family will be affected by the change to the daily routine. Excluding children from a cosmic family event can make them feel they don’t matter. It can be the source of feeling rejected, ignored and abandoned. Diminishing a child’s feeling of their importance as a member of the family could leave them forever scarred with low self-esteem and inadequacy.

What emotions can children feel when someone they love has cancer?

Children can have many different emotions that include: fear, anxiety, frustration, confusion, anger, jealousy (of other children who don’t have to deal with a sick parent), resentment, guilt, sadness and grief over the loss of their ‘normal’ life. Protecting children from experiencing these emotions is a lost opportunity to prepare them for life.

Once I’m privy to my child’s emotions, how do I handle it?

Be honest, clear, and include your optimism for a full recovery. Talk about what your days ahead might look like.  Read a book together like ‘M.C. Plays Hide & Seek‘ and after every few pages, ask if they have any questions. Remind your child their feelings matter. It’s okay to feel the way they do. Let them know you understand their feelings. Reassure them it is not their fault that you are sick. Guarantee them you are doing your best to get better.

Can you name anything positive about cancer?

Life is well-balanced even though it doesn’t feel that way when going through the challenge of treatment for cancer. There is always a positive charge to balance the negative. The goal is to recognize blessings! Notice the teamwork, support, love, learning, growth, strength, admiration, courage, kindness, friendship and hope. Bathe in the diamond-studded life lessons that can have a rippling effect, inspiring all those who know you and love you.

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