In the Trenches: Purr-fect Pals Puts Diabetes in Perspective

“Having Purr-fect Pals when my son was young would have been wonderful and helpful,” said Ellen Day after reading the book for the first time.

The book she refers to is Purr-fect Pals: A Kid, A Cat & Diabetes. It’s a unique picture and activity book designed and written to offer comfort, education, and encouragement to children who are either newly diagnosed or have been living with the everyday challenges of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and their families.

Author Sheila Glazov (herself the mother of a son with T1D), partnered with illustrator Rosario Carrillo (whose son has T2D), to create Purr-fect Pals. Of the proceeds, 100 percent of all Purr-fect Pals’ sales go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Glazov’s captivating story is told through the true-life diabetes experiences–including both the “highs and lows”–lived by her son and his cat. The mirror images of their lives and the sequence of events teach children they are not alone. They can achieve their hearts’ desires, overcome obstacles and create life-long opportunities. 

The story’s diverse characters offer readers detailed information about T1D and T2D management, including medication, education, diet, and exercise. The characters of the Kid and the Cat also help children and their family members accept their new lifestyle, enhance how they express their feelings and encourage nonjudgmental communication about their concerns. Children, especially, will enjoy all the engaging black and white line drawings that offer them the opportunity to color the pictures and personalize all the characters.

The ten inspiring “Kids’ Encouraging Messages” were written by children and adults, ranging in age from eight to 88, who live with diabetic challenges. The memorable “Mom’s Message” and the 15 encouraging “Comfort Companion Stories,” an anecdotal anthology for parents and caregivers, were designed to provide readers and listeners with knowledge, reassurance, and humor.

The interactive “Readers’ and Listeners’ Guide” accompanies the story and gives both children and adults time to voice and share their feelings and perceptions about diabetes. It also helps to begin conversations about the storyline so they can better understand their meaning and apply them in their lives. Readers of all ages also will benefit from the “Word Games,” which allow an opportunity to have fun, reflect and reinforce facts about diabetes.

A valuable story that is both timely and timeless, Purr-fect Pals: A Kid, A Cat & Diabetes combines helpful and healthy diabetes management messages, fun activities and indispensable life-long lessons. It is the “purr-fect” book for every family who lives with the daily challenges of diabetes.

Below are comments made by children who have read Purr-fect Pals: A Kid, A Cat & Diabetes:
• I wish I had this book when I first found out that I have diabetes.
• This book helps you understand the disease so you can be a better friend.
• It was fun to see how the cat and the boy had almost the same symptoms.
• I like how the cat can understand how the boy feels because he has diabetes too!
• Great comfort, just what we needed!

You can purchase your copy of Purr-fect Pals: A Kid, A Cat & Diabetes for $20.00 on Amazon http://ow.ly/U8hof. To learn more about Purr-fect Pals and Sheila Glazov visit http://www.sheilaglazov.com/purr-fect-pal-diabetes-connection.