Diabetes in Fiction

Seven years ago, Penny’s boyfriend was savagely attacked by a bear, setting off a chain of tragic events. Now, fighting a debilitating illness and haunted by her past, she finds herself incapable of emotional or sexual intimacy. As a way to break down the defenses she has built up in her safe Chicago life, she sets out on a cross-country bike tour. On this trip she meets Ndele, a beautiful, mysterious black man who challenges her to confront her ghosts and decide whether to put her past behind her and live or succumb to the terrible uncertainties that plague even her dreams.

Jessa’s week-long trail riding trip into the Rocky Mountains should have been the experience of a lifetime. Ignoring increasingly peculiar symptoms, Jessa sets off into the mountains, determined to enjoy herself despite feeling very ill. To her horror, she finds herself regaining consciousness in an Alberta hospital! This is only the beginning of a long journey of recovery, one which turns Jessa’s life upside down and threatens even her desire to ride.

7-year old Max has type 1 diabetes. In fact, everyone in Beta Town has, but that’s what makes Beta Town so cool. One day, while guarding the insulin cube against the dastardly King Carb’s plans to steal it, Max gains superpowers from a top secret insulin pump and turns him into Beta Town’s very own superhero, Captain Lantus.

Ava Ann Rabbit has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She has to learn to navigate this new medical world she’s been thrown into, all while finding out where she fits in the world. When her teacher gives the class an assignment to make an art piece about their life, Ava Ann digs deep, and creates a unique project that combines aspects of her life from before and after her diabetes diagnosis.

When Tina Thomas begins to feel unwell and cannot PLAY, RUN and JUMP as well as usual, she starts to get worried. What is going on? Tina is diagnosed with Type One Diabetes and is scared and confused, which are feelings that are normal and okay. Mum, Dad and Tina are soon caught up in a new and scary world. It is a world of doctors, hospitals, medicine, needles and carbohydrates. In this illustrated children’s book, young Tina takes us through her diagnosis and her daily life with Juvenile (Type One) Diabetes, showing us how, with Mum and Dad’s help, she looks after herself and stays healthy so that she can PLAY, RUN and JUMP with her friends again.

Shia is back on another adventure to learn more about diabetes. This time it is with new babysitter and friend, Kimmie. She has type 2 diabetes! Join Shia as she learns how type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are both similar and different!

Nine year old Audrey May knows that life can be full of changes. She’s traveled all over the world with her Dad who works on movies, but she’s never been to a school with other kids. She has no idea that starting a new school will be much easier than finding out she has Type 1 Diabetes . Thankfully she won’t face it alone, she has the love of her parents and her crazy little sister to get her through the ups and downs.

Teddy isn’t your average fur-iend…but neither is Emily! When she was first diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, it all seemed overwhelming. But now, the pair never lets anything stand in the way of everyday adventures…and they can teach you how too! Sit, stay and come along as Teddy Talks about the healthy daily habits he and his human Emily make together. In this fetching tale, Teddy shares how it is easy to find the bright side when you’re looking for it. After all, a little paws-itivity can go a long way! Written by a Type 1 Diabetic mother of two who knows firsthand how challenging it can be to explain the condition to kids, this engaging story features a glossary of common terms and showcases how Emily uses her Continuous Glucose Monitor to track her sugar levels throughout the day. Both educational and inspirational, TEDDY A PAW-SITIVE STORY ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES is a must-have for any child.

Peter was just a little boy when he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He was scared of having his blood checked and fearful of the insulin injections. Peter thought about his special skills and developed several strategies he can use to cope with the injections and other challenges he will face. These are strategies anyone can use, child or adult, who is in a similar situation and needs to find an effective way to cope.

When a child is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, it can be confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming. But what if the child learning to live with diabetes was not a child at all? What if it was a young T-Rex? TYLER THE TYPE 1 T-REX is a fun, adventurous picture book for children with Type 1 Diabetes, especially kids who love dinosaurs, action, and big feelings. Tyler loves going on adventures with friends. But when Tyler starts feeling unwell and is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, everything suddenly feels uncertain. Tyler is upset, confused, and unsure whether life will ever feel normal again. With help from family and friends, Tyler learns that managing Type 1 Diabetes takes courage, support, and a bit of practice – but it does not mean the adventures are over.

ROSIE BECOMES A WARRIOR is a children’s story designed to empower children with type 1 diabetes to live their happiest lives, written by an author who has lived with type 1 diabetes for almost 20 years herself. ROSIE BECOMES A WARRIOR follows the story of Rosie as she navigates her type 1 diabetes diagnosis with her parents. Rosie is a second-grader with bright green eyes and beautiful red hair who loves to draw, eat ice cream, and spend time with her best friends. In this children’s book, Rosie learns from doctors, meets new friends along the way, and finds the bright side of type 1 diabetes.

When a child is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, it can be confusing, scary, and a lot to take in. Super Sammy helps explain T1D in a simple, non-frightening way, while reassuring kids that they are still the same brave, funny, wonderful person they were before diagnosis. Through Sammy and Scout’s superhero adventure, children can start to understand what’s changed, what hasn’t, and why diabetes is nothing to feel ashamed of. Great for newly diagnosed children, siblings, classrooms, grandparents, and families looking for a warm way to start conversations about Type 1 Diabetes.