The Best Books to Read For Children With Cystic Fibrosis and ADHD!

According to Forbes, 75% of parents agree that Western Children should read more books for fun. I found the best books to read for children with Cystic Fibrosis and ADHD, and I will share them with you today! 

Less screen time is important today. Why not bond with your child with a good story to help them understand their condition in a fun way?

Reading comes naturally to many children. Kids with cystic fibrosis can learn about their illness by reading about it. Reading can also help other children in your family understand their sibling’s conditions and empathize better. 

These books, which have been a source of comfort and understanding for my son Anthony on his CF and ADHD journey, can offer the same to your children. This provides a profound relief and support for parents, knowing their children are not alone in their struggles.

Bonus: At the end of this post, I will tell you which stories impacted Anthony the most! Stay tuned for this personal insight, which could resonate with your child’s experience.

This page contains affiliate links, and I earn a commission if you purchase through one of the links at no cost to you. 

Why is it Important to Learn About Cystic Fibrosis and ADHD?

Naturally, ADHD and cystic fibrosis go hand-in-hand, making it a very confusing journey for children!

By explaining their conditions using these incredible stories, your children will gain a more positive outlook on life and a sense of empowerment.

This book will instill a strong sense of hope and optimism in parents and remind them that a brighter future is always ahead.

It’s not the most straightforward journey, but it’s not impossible if you maintain a positive outlook and focus on positive things. 

These books to read are inspirational, and I am thankful to the hospital Nemours in Lake Nona, Orlando, Florida.

They gave me a copy of Mallory’s 65 Roses and Huxi, a Panda with cystic fibrosis books, from when my son was diagnosed at birth to when he became a toddler.

Ask your child’s medical teams about free books and resources to help your child, and you will learn more about these conditions.

Navigating Challenges: Resources for Parents of Children with ADHD and Fibrosis

Parenting is a challenging journey for anyone, but it can be even more so for parents of children with medical conditions and specific needs.

While these conditions present unique challenges, valuable resources are available to support parents and their children.

These resources foster a strong sense of community and shared experience. It makes parents feel profoundly connected and understood, knowing they are not alone. 

Here are some recommended books to read!

For Children With Cystic Fibrosis

“Mallory’s 65 Roses” by Diane Shader Smith 

This book provides an excellent perspective on what children with cystic fibrosis endure from the standpoint of Mallory. Mallory is a little girl living with cystic fibrosis.

This beautiful and emotional story describes her day-to-day life. It explains from a child’s perspective what cystic fibrosis is, often referred to as ’65 roses’ because it’s easier for younger kids to say.

Mallory describes her daily routine, including getting pat pat and nebulizer treatments, taking medication with meals, and constantly hiding from her parents.

Hence, they must find her to do the treatments because Mallory dislikes it, similar to many CF kids.

She also describes the most heartbreaking one for me, the tuneup. The story concludes with Mallory and her mother overlooking a garden that says, “Cure found.”

This book gives children hope about their medical condition and routine and a new outlook on using their imagination to make treatment time more enjoyable.

“The Amazing Story of Huxi: A Panda with Cystic Fibrosis: A Coloring Adventure” by Foundation Care 

Nemours, the excellent hospital in Lake Nona, gave me this book. The Panda is a coloring book that describes everything that contributes to CF.

It’s an adorable tale that also describes what Huxi the Panda goes through.

It’s a great book that goes into grand detail about cystic fibrosis. It details what children experience day-to-day through the eyes of a cute panda bear named Huxi.

I’m grateful Foundation Care gave us this book because my son enjoyed reading and coloring the story.

Although young, it helped him cope significantly during the extended pulmonary visits.

Here Are More Stories That Your Child Will Enjoy About Cystic Fibrosis

• “Alex the Kid Talks About Cystic Fibrosis” by Alex Hurley 
• “Why is Kiley Coughing? A Children’s Book About Cystic Fibrosis” by Crystal Holscher 
• “Harper’s Magical CF Garden” by H.K. Simmons
• “Taking Cystic Fibrosis to School” by Cynthia S. Henry 

For Children With ADHD

“Focused Ninja” by Mary Nhin

My son enjoys the Ninja Life Hacks series, which includes 120 books for ninja life hacks and has many characters to collect.

The book that I found helped my son the most focused Ninja. Focused Ninja is a story about a cute little ninja with trouble concentrating on specific tasks.

Focused Ninja also describes the difficulty of maintaining a clean room and how accidents happen to children with ADHD.

For example, there is a page where he is trying to pour himself cereal.

While looking at the tablet, Focused Ninja spills milk all over the counter, looking very worried. Children with ADHD go through this a lot.

Multitasking is difficult for them, but this book offers excellent solutions, such as proper diets, exercising, and splitting up large assignments into small tasks, which helps children with ADHD immensely.

“A Dragon With ADHD: A Children’s Story About ADHD. A Cute Book to Help Kids Get Organized, Focus, and Succeed.” by Steve Herman:

• Like the focused Ninja, these books are in a series, and there are 68 in total. I enjoyed reading this book with my son because it has relatable characters centered around a dragon who experiences common ADHD symptoms such as difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

• These are all comment traits of ADHD. The book also explains a brain difference that affects how a person pays attention, controls impulsivity, and regulates activity.

• Along with understanding ADHD, coping strategies like organizational tech make focus and Social skills very impactful. It’s an age-appropriate language book with a positive message that emphasizes that having ADHD is not a weakness and that with support and strategies, your child can thrive and succeed.

• The engaging illustrations and positive and helpful tone create a good feel kind of story.

Here are More Stories That Your Child Will Enjoy About ADHD

• It’s Hard To Be A Verb: A Picture Book to Help Kids with ADHD by Julia Cook
• Neurodivergent Ninja: A Children’s Book About the Gifts of Neurodiversity (Ninja Life Hacks) Paperback by Mary Nhin
• The Secret Superpowers of ADHD: A Fun, Interactive Children’s Book to Help Kids with ADHD Discover Their Own Incredible Strengths by Jennifer Everly
• My Magical Choices – Teach Kids to Choose a Great Day with their Choices! by Becking Cumings

Videos About ADHD for Parents and Caregivers

Along with books, great videos help children with ADHD, which I will link here. A channel that I love to watch is How to ADHD. HELLO BRAINS! I love her introduction!

Jessica has a fantastic way of describing ADHD and helps millions of people with her channel and book. 

Jessica advocates for people with ADHD and finds creative ways to engage your audience with her fun storytelling and lessons. Check out our channel today to get more of an inside look at what life with ADHD is like and to learn about solutions.

Resources for Parents and Caregivers about CF

There is also a wonderful site called Cff.org. In the community post, I read an article by Hannah Avery from June 1st, 2021, about the latest inspirational books and music created by people with CF and people who bonded with people with CF.

The self-made books are inspiring and are more for parents and caregivers to read to understand better what their children are going through.

The Best Book For Cystic Fibrosis: Mallory’s 65 Roses!

This timeless tale began Anthony’s CF journey, and we read it repeatedly. We cry together and bond over the story, sharing insights about CF.

It’s the first book that got him to open up about how he feels about his illness, and he shared it with his class when he was younger, too.

It was also the first book Anthony’s Father and I read to his siblings, Ginipher and Rudy when they were very young. It got them to see what life would be like with baby Anthony.

The Best Book For Children With ADHD

The Ninja Life Hacks by Mary Nhin is the best series for kids to dive deep into understanding how to manage their ADHD.

With a complete collection of 120 books your child will love the illustrations; it remains my son’s favorite series today.

I enjoy finding creative ways to help Anthony and others cope and find mechanisms that work. This series is it!

Remember:

• Seek professional guidance: For personalized advice and support, consult with your child’s pediatrician, a child psychologist, or a specialist in the specific condition.
• Join support groups: Connecting with other parents facing similar challenges can provide valuable emotional support, practical tips, and a sense of community.
• Prioritize self-care: Caring for a child with medical conditions can be demanding. Remember to prioritize your well-being through exercise, relaxation techniques, and spending time with loved ones.

Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions regarding your health or the health of your child.

Conclusion

By using these creative books to read and helpful resources, cystic fibrosis and ADHD don’t have to be the end of the world.

Your child is bright, intelligent, innovative, blessed, and courageous. There’s just a different way for children with ADHD and cystic fibrosis to learn things.

These books will help them find their way and navigate challenges associated with their condition.

As a parent and caregiver, you can provide a beacon of support and help your child succeed! Rose Up for CF, and let’s find a cure together. 

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Check out more posts below to learn how to help your child.

Resources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2015/01/30/ordinary-kids-read-as-infrequently-as-ordinary-adults-less-than-5-books-per-year

https://www.cff.org/community-posts/2021-06/latest-books-and-music-people-cf

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