harpercollinschildrens.com
You probably know Julie Aigner Clark best as the mom who launched the wildly-popular Baby Einstein empire. I know her voice was ever-present in my house during those early years with baby Joey. He was not a very happy and content boy, but Baby Mozart and Baby Bach helped infuse our crankiest days with a little joy. We liked Baby Santa’s Music Box, too, and even though Joey is now 9 years old, and his brother is 7, that Christmas DVD is still in our media cabinet. Yea, a good Spring Fall clean is in order.
Julie has accomplished more than just engaging little ones, though. She has partnered with John Walsh, host of “America’s Most Wanted” to create The Safe Side (all about kid safety), and there’s also Memory Lane (for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia). And now, what might be my very favorite is her new book, “You Are the Best Medicine.”
Julie (a two-time breast cancer survivor) wrote the book, Jana Christy illustrated it, and WOW, what a treasure for parents with cancer who want to explain the disease to their young kids in the most delicate and gentle manner.
In her book, Julie draws parallels between navigating cancer and growing up:
For a while I will have to take medicine that makes me feel bad, and this medicine will make all my hair fall out. I will look different. But I will laugh when I remember your own sweet little baby head, how round and bald it was, and how warm it was on my lips when I kissed it every day.
I like Julie’s overall message — that children can help parents feel better, just like mom and dad do for them; that cancer can be a tough; that life can return to normal; that love and kindness really are the best medicine.
I also like that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of her book go to breast cancer research, and oh, best of all, I hope to soon talk with Julie herself. Just as soon as I do, I’ll publish my interview here. If you’ve got a question you’d like me ask her, please leave it in comments!
So, do you think you want to read Julie’s book? Well, then, I recommend you get yourself a copy. But first, throw your name in the hat and try to win one for free. Right here. Right now. All you need to do:
- Leave a comment and share why you want this book in your hands!
- Leave your comment no later than 5PM ET on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.
- You may enter only once.
- Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.
- One winner will be selected in a random drawing. using random.org.
- One winner will receive one book, valued at $16.99.
- Winners will be notified by email, so make sure to check next week to find out if you’ve won!
Best wishes!
coasterkim on 9/7/2010 at 3:47 pm said:
I work at a breast cancer organization and would love to include this in a care package to a mom with young kids! Thanks for the recommendation.
Terri on 9/8/2010 at 3:41 pm said:
I have Stage 4 IBC and would love to share the book with my four grandchildren who live with me.
Kathy on 9/9/2010 at 9:33 am said:
I have a young friend who has breast cancer, she is just 33. I would love to give this book to her 3 year old daughter
Henria O. on 9/10/2010 at 4:04 pm said:
There is a woman who is dear to me who is currently receiving treatment for breast cancer. This would be a wonderful gift to give her for her own grandchildren.
Nancy on 9/13/2010 at 4:22 pm said:
This sounds like a wonderful book! I am a teacher recently diagnosed with breast cancer and would love to add this to my persoanl library. Thanks. Enjoyed finding your blog. I am beginning one as well. Check it out at nancyspoint.com
DawnV on 9/13/2010 at 9:21 pm said:
This would definitely qualify as a creative gift idea and wonderful get well gift. I LOVE the idea of this book and there is a huge need for this. THANKS once more for bringing us wonderful products.
How exciting that you get to interview Julie Aigner Clark… Can you please ask her how she handled having a recurrence (mentally, physically and emotionally) and also since she has accomplished so much what does she hope will be her greatest legacy one day. Please be sure to tell her what an inspiration she is to so many women- moms, entrepreneurs, cancer patients, etc.
)
Oh, and thank her for the Baby Neptune DVD (quack, quack) as it was a favorite here in our home!
Arlene f on 9/13/2010 at 10:14 pm said:
My sister just had a double mastectomy, I think she would love to have this book to use when she returns to work. She teaches kinder and special needs classes at the local ISD. Great giveaway!
Lisa on 9/13/2010 at 10:52 pm said:
I have a 6 yr old little boy who went to school two weeks ago screaming that his mommy was going to die. That was the day before my surgery. Two nights later I heard him in the bath tub telling his dad he was so happy mommy didn’t die. He still is scared of getting too close to my left side where I still have one drainage tube left from my mastectomy. Both of us feel the need for our missed snuggling time. I think he understands now but I am not really sure. I haven’t told him about chemo yet, I don’t want him to worry more than he has to- you never know what is going on in those little brains of theirs. If this book could set his mind at ease that would be a wonderful gift for him. He gives me the courage to fight this battle.
Cheryl Christian on 9/14/2010 at 10:44 am said:
Having had a great grandmother die from breast cancer and numerous friends it is wonderful that Ms. Clark has written a book for the children of a cancer person. Cancer affects more than just the person going through the process. What a inspiration to all involved.
ann maskalenko on 9/24/2010 at 8:23 am said:
I cried long overdue tears when I stumbled upon this. I had DCIS (considered stage 0) in 1998, and a mastectomy since it was widespread, and I had a 2 year old so I wanted to treat it as aggressively as possible. I had a second daughter in 2002, and the Ms. Clark’s innovative, fun videos were a staple in our home- my then 5 year old enjoyed them as well as my baby and myself! In January of 2009, 9 years after my original diagnosis, I had a shocking stage 4 recurrence, also showed up near the underarm of the side that had the original cancer. I too am HER2+ and fighting the good fight. My children are by far the best medicine, and they keep me hopeful and fighting my best fight.
Ms Clark will be in my prayers, and I just love it that the proceeds are going to study HER2+ cancer. I wish to purchase several, and give them to school counselors.
Sarah Bibi Setar on 10/6/2010 at 10:14 am said:
I had an aunt who recently passed away from Breast Cancer, a friend whose mother is in remission from Breast Cancer and last year was in charge of organising a Breast Cancer Cup Cake Sale at our university campus to raise funds for the research foundation, so I would love to read this book!
ShariCakes on 10/19/2010 at 7:16 am said:
Hello, I stumbled upon your site while searching for giveaways and I see that you also have given away this wonderful story about a mother and her child dealing with cancer. It is an awesome and inspriring story. I am also giving away a copy this month if some of your readers would like to try to win a copy. Thanks, Shari
http://misssharistorytime.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/october-pretty-in-pink-giveaway/