Rufus Comes Home

The diagnosis of diabetes is traumatic enough for an adult but even more so for a child. Rufus helps the child, family, and friends deal with this disease in an informative way that is neither too medical nor too simple. Our hospital gives the Rufus book along with the actual Rufus teddy bear to any child with a new diagnosis of diabetes. The book explains how the diabetes is managed and the bear gives the child someone else (the bear had diabetes too) to go through the shots and blood sugar tests with. I highly recommend it for anyone who has a child with diabetes even if it isn't a new diagnosis.

After learning of a friends, grandson's recent diagnosis, I searched for a book geared toward a small child. "Rufus Comes Home" was the perfect choice! The book provides the information needed to deal with the illness and specific care, but is written in a compassionate style that would not frighten a child.

Brian, a young boy, is diagnosed with diabetes and hospitalized. While in the hospital, he learns about his diabetes and begins to practice giving himself shots. He feels lonely and overwhelmed. His mother has the bright idea of giving him a stuffed teddy bear who also has diabetes. Brian is able to practice his shots on the bear. The bear is a source of comfort because he has to experience the shots just like Brian. I liked the story, but I really could have done without the subtle product placements all through the illustrations. I could live with discrete print advertizements in the parents' sections. I do not think that the text or the illustrations in children's books should be used to hawk specific products.

We have several picture books about diabetes now and this is a good addtion to that collection. It is very pricey if buying new. I have purchase two used copies, one for home and one to take to nursery. We also have two Rufus Bear toys (from JDRF), again one for home and one for nursery. It is possible a little wordy for his age group (3 and a half) and may be better suited to school age kids, but anything that helps my little boy understand his condition is still worthwhile.