Charmingly illustrated, these titles feature children going about their lives while living with various medical conditions. A combination of varied social settings and first-person language allows for each narrator to connect with the reader’s empathy and understanding of health situations children might encounter like Tourette syndrome and epilepsy. In addition to this, the representation of children’s experiences of prolonged stays in the hospital in the Leukemia title shines a light on a lesser-seen childhood experience in a warm, friendly way. Layered between the explanations are the diverse interests and experiences of each child’s story. This is followed by uplifting back matter about the real-life child featured in each story. VERDICT A welcome addition to libraries looking to increase medical diversity in their picture books and story times.

This is a continuation of last season’s illustrated series about real children who live with and experience a variety of disabilities, neurodiversities, and conditions. Using colorful illustrations, these books give examples of how kids live with diabetes, epilepsy, leukemia, and Tourette’s syndrome. Both challenges and opportunities for how each child encounters and manages their own disability are thoughtfully presented, with a short biography of each real child included at the end of the book, along with suggestions for how readers can respect children who experience each condition. The series is told in first person, giving power to each character’s voice and evoking empathy and understanding on the part of readers. Illustrations reflect racial diversity, translations are accurate, and the dyslexic-friendly font makes this series widely usable and accessible. VERDICT An essential series for virtually any collection.

Based on interviews with the author, each volume in the My Life With . . . series focuses on a real child with a disability or illness. In conversational, first-person narration, the child, depicted in expressive digital illustrations, explains how their health condition typically affects individuals, the symptoms that led to their diagnosis, and methods used to help them function day to day. My Life with Diabetes, showcasing Tiana, notes the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and various ways to intake insulin. In My Life with Epilepsy, Max describes how different seizures impact his body, some of his triggers, and ways adults help keep him safe. Jocelyn chronicles her chemo-therapy and many hospital stays while recovering from cancer as well as its lasting effects in My Life with Leukemia. In My Life with Tourette Syndrome, Emma relates her personal tics, the range of tics in others, and both her triggers and coping strategies. Throughout the books, the children also emphasize their strengths, friendships, and activities they share with other kids. Back matter includes a short profile and photo of the featured child and tips on respecting people with the disability. This realistic yet positive series helps readers understand the spectrum of medical conditions in young people.