This a great book to talk with children about cancer! Not only does it do a phenomenal job of framing cancer in a way that young children will understands, but also affirms that it is normal to feel scared about cancer, and give practical ways to show support for someone in your life with cancer. It is important to not just tell children that everything is alright and be honest with them that is something we can feel scared or nervous about.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5-Star Review for My Brave Friend by Suzanne Stone & Brett Fox

Thank you to NetGalley, Amplify Publishing, and the authors for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

As a homeschooling mom, I’m always on the hunt for what we call “real life” resources—books that help us explore big topics in a way that sparks meaningful conversation. My Brave Friend checked every box. While it’s not a title I’d typically request, it aligned beautifully with a health unit I’m putting together for our upcoming school year. We’ve already read stories involving children with diabetes and severe allergies, and this one added another deeply needed perspective.

The book introduces a serious subject with remarkable sensitivity. It doesn’t shy away from the reality of illness, but it presents it in a way that’s gentle and reassuring. Through thoughtful, age-appropriate language and warm, expressive illustrations, it helps children begin to understand the emotional and physical experiences of someone they care about—without feeling overwhelmed or afraid.

What stood out to me most was how the story promotes empathy and emotional strength while also being realistic. It’s not just a book for kids who are facing illness themselves—it’s a wonderful tool for helping any child learn how to be a supportive and compassionate friend.

This is a story we’ll return to often, and I highly recommend it to other parents, educators, and caregivers. It’s one of those rare books that feels like a story and a resource all in one.

My Brave Friend is a picture book with a subject I hadn’t considered before—how confusing and overwhelming something like cancer might be for a young child. This book does a wonderful job of explaining it in a way that’s honest but not at all scary. Through gentle language and heartfelt illustrations, it helps children understand what their loved ones may be going through, while also emphasizing empathy, strength, and hope. I'd say it's a valuable resource for any child facing something similar, or simply learning how to support a friend.

I truly hope this book is able to help children in this situation feel a little more seen and supported.

I absolutely love finding children's books that revolve around the medical field. It can not only help them understand what's going on, but it also helps kids be less scared. When I was a senior in high school, my best friend was diagnosed with lymphoma. I was so worried because I knew nothing about cancer, other than the fact that people die from it. This book would have helped me back then, so I know it will help a child understand what is going on with a friend or classmate.

Thank you to Netgalley, Suzanne Stone, and Amplify Publishing for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Childhood illness, especially childhood cancer is very difficult to explain to littles, and this book did a great job of broaching this very difficult topic in a way young children can understand. A somber topic covered in an adorable and light story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Brave Friend tackles a tough topic--cancer--for young children to learn about, especially when a good childhood friend is diagnosed with it. The book's beautiful illustrations and text show many ways that friends can show they care about one another when someone is sick, and the book explains the disease in a simplified way for young children to understand. I give the book five stars.

My Brave Friend is such a beautiful story. I cannot wait to share this book with my son as he gets older. A great reminder to be kind, to be a friend. The kids, the teacher, the pet, & even the parents all showing kindness. This book shows that having questions about differences is a great thing, as long as we educate each other & treat each other with equality and empathy. The biggest, educating on what cancer is. I think every home, every school, hospital, and cancer facilities should have this book. We have too many bullies in the world, remind your children & students to show up for each other.

I hope this makes kids with differences feel seen & heard.

Thank you Net Galley and Suzanne for sharing this great story with me.🩷

When Noah learns that his friend Emma has cancer, he is uneasy about how he should deal with it. Can he get sick too? How should he act when visiting her in the hospital? With the advice of his parents, he is able to be a true friend and support for Emma. There are a select few books that are on the subject of children and sickness that I feel are written in a way that is comforting to children. This book stands out because it focuses on the connections children need while going through treatment. My Brave Friend explains to children that cancer is a sickness that is contagious and the bond of friendship is more important than ever. The use of technology is shown as an important accessibility tool to keep the child with cancer connected to their life and their peers.

All about how to talk to kids about cancer and helping them process the feelings of having a friend who is very sick while still showing up to support them, and show them with actions that your care for them has not changed. Very well laid out, and all the kids making cards for every day of Emma's summer vacation made me emotional. A valuable story for getting children through such a situation!

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy.
I had a friend growing up who had cancer and also a friend who's brother had it.
This book is such a great introduction to teach your kids about cancer, I also love how it teaches them to not be afraid.
I will be buying this book for sure.

Noah and Emma are best friends. One day at school Noah realises that Emma isn't there and that she has cancer. Noah and the other kids learn how to be a good friend to Emma while she has cancer.

No matter the target audience age, I love any books with good depictions of friendship and this one does it well. I think it's an easy way to explain what cancer is to young children and shows how to support and show up for your friends. And it was all done with empathy and respect which is very important.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy! this did not affect my review or rating.

I currently have a student dealing with a serious illness, so this book is important because it models how to support a close friend in the middle of a health crisis. It acknowledges that it brings up a plethora of emotions that are all okay, but the bottom line is that your friend will appreciate any support. It takes away some of the fear of dealing with childhood illness.

Such an important book! One of my friends had cancer when we were kids and I wish this had been available to me then. I especially appreciated the part where it described visiting in the hospital- this can be overwhelming and scary if you don’t know what to expect! This story broke it down in an approachable way without feeling sugarcoated. I think it would be a great way to approach a discussion with kids about difficult situation.

My Brave Friend is about a student whose classmate has cancer. He learns a bit about cancer and how he can support his friend. This is sort of a niche story, but definitely would be a resource for kids who may be in similar situations. The illustrations are colorful and show the wide range of emotions felt by the characters. This would likely be something I would utilize in my days as a school counselor.

Thanks to Amplify Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

Recommend-O-Meter: Yes!

Cancer is something very serious and oftentimes scary, and things like that can be especially hard for young kids to understand. That’s why I love the way this book explains it in such a simple way, helping to demystify the illness. It even included some supplementary information at the end of the book. Additionally, I found especially sweet was how there was also a lot of emphasis on letting Emma, the friend with cancer, feel that her friends were still with her even as she underwent treatment.

As a bonus, the art was super cute! And there was a lot of diversity among the children in Noah’s class, which is always a plus in my book.

This book was sad, but also informative. It's very important for children to know about cancer and other illnesses and be aware about them.

My Brave Friend is an incredibly heartwarming story that helps children learn about what cancer is and teaches about empathy and compassion for others when they are going through a difficult time. The language used is very simple, age appropriate, and easy for young readers to understand, the illustrations are beautiful, and the message is powerful and delivered in a way that is concise and reassuring without creating fear about the sensitive subject. Overall a great read for all wanting to raise caring and compassionate children!

Thank you for the ARC. This story got close to home as I lost a brother to cancer several years ago. He was diagnosed at 14 and passed at 19. It put up one heck of a fight.

Noah learns his friend Emma has cancer so he learns more about it and how he can support her while she goes through this. Such an important message and story.

This book is so important to little people who may have a sibling, close relative, or in this case, best friend who is battling cancer. The author took the time to show how they can be there for their friends and loved ones, but also various ways to support their journey.

I highly recommend this book.

I loved everything about this book. Awesome illustrations. A great help for kids to learn about cancer. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC and the opinions expressed are my own.