This is the story of a young boy whose older sister gets cancer and, from his perspective, far too much of their parents' attention. When a sibling is seriously ill, a child may become confused, angry, scared, lonely, and even jealous. This book can help them safely express and explore their feelings and model strategies for parents juggling the needs of all their children during a pediatric health journey.
Daniel and His Starry Night Blanket is about a little boy whose world flipped upside down when his sister got cancer. When Daniel’s dad tells him his sister Kate has cancer, he doesn’t understand. She doesn’t look sick. “Will she be better by Saturday for the parade?” he asks.Their parents struggle to balance the needs of both children. Kate is seriously ill and needs care, and Daniel often feels afraid, angry, jealous and left out. Love, support and Daniel’s beloved starry night blanket help him and Kate get through the ordeal. Sally may have created fictional characters for her children’s book, but their story has been played out for real by countless families.
Sally Loughridge has written a compassionate and sensitive story for families who are dealing with a child diagnosed with cancer and the challenges for siblings. Daniel is representative of all siblings deal with confusing feelings of sadness, anger, fear, and jealousy. For children like Daniel, it can be a roller coaster ride.
Sally Loughridge has brought us a gentle voice that opens a door and lets a fresh breeze of relief and understanding in. She provides a story that will unite the whole and bring clarity back to the blur. Her 25 years of experience in clinical psychology, as well as having been a cancer patient herself, has given her a keen empathy for others. The book also provides useful suggestions on how to use the story effectively, bringing a healthy balance to an otherwise unsettling situation.
Daniel and His Starry Night Blanket: A Story of Illness and Sibling Love has won a number of book awards. Most recently, the book was named the Gold Medal Winner in the 2016 Literary Classics International Book Awards for the Picture Book/Preschool Category. This organization is dedicated to promoting excellence in literature by helping readers find the best books available. "Daniel and His Starry Night Blanket is an excellent book for home and school libraries and for use in clinical settings," their reviewer wrote. "This book is highly recommended."
Written and illustrated by South Bristol resident Sally Loughridge, Daniel and His Starry Night Blanket was also a Finalist in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards in two Categories, Children's Books 0 to 5 and Children's Books 6 and Up. This is the largest not-for-profit book awards program established "to recognize the most exceptional independently published books."
The book was awarded the 2015 Gold Medal in the Lifestyle Emotions and Feelings Category of the Gelett Burgess Book Awards program and an Honorable Mention in the Children's Books Category of the 2015 New England Book Festival. "I'm honored that the book has been getting awards," says Loughridge. "I hope they will help spread the word to those professionals and families that the book can help."
