WHY AM I SO TIRED?

A First Look At Childhood Diabetes

Author: Pat Thomas
Illustrator: Lesley Harker
Buy – Why Am I So Tired?

What is insulin, how does it help you get energy from your food and what does this have to do with glucose in your blood?

Why Am I So Tired, talks in 100% positive language about understanding diabetes in terms that young children can relate to and which enables adults to support children effectively.

Kids with diabetes (not referred to as diabetics) can enjoy healthy, active, happy lives by being proactive in its management.

This excellent children’s picture book is in the ‘First Look At’ series written by psychotherapist and counsellor Pat Thomas.

Warm expressive illustrations beautifully capture the emotions and daily routines of a little school aged girl.

Why Am I So Tired is full of helpful suggestions including learning how the symptoms can make a child feel and what listening to these signals means.

It could be time to rest or maybe to take some medicine. A pill, an injection or an insulin pump, everyone has different needs.

It’s crucial for parents to learn how to be supportive in ways that will allow the child to manage their condition in a calm and confident way as they grow up.

Checking blood sugar levels, helping administer medicines and using language that is descriptive rather than emotive like high, low or normal, rather than good or bad takes responsibility off the child and keeps their self esteem high.

Creating a routine and a stable mindset assists children integrate their special health needs into daily life from a young age.

It’s all about support and empowerment!

Pictures of food groups show the types of energy each provides. Healthy foods are needed to keep energised and children are encouraged to stick to the foods that keep them well.

The story talks directly to the child. It sympathises that even though they may feel different and alone at times there are many other kids about just like them.

Talking about diabetes with teachers and friends can help them understand what its like to have diabetes and how they can help if needed.

The best part is that by learning to take care of yourself you can have as much fun as everybody else!

This supportive little book has a section at the back to guide parents in its use. It also recommends both resources for parents and other children’s books which discuss diabetes.