Toilet Paper Flowers: A Story for Children About Crohn's Disease

by Martha Gradisher (Illustrator), Martha Gradisher (Illustrator)

Julia, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, explains living with this chronic and sometimes debilitating illness to her new friend. Because she uses the bathroom so often, Julia creates flowers using toilet paper. By sharing her flower creations, Julia gains support and understanding from her friend. Toilet Paper Flowers has an introduction for parents, web resources, explanations of the disease and treatments, glossary, and instructions for making the flowers. This book offers hope and validates feelings of children struggling with Crohn’s disease, as well as educating siblings and friends unfamiliar with this chronic illness.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2006

Reviews

[Simone Colwill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crohn's disease is a difficult topic to write about. The author handled this subject really well.

[Kendall Earles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember my mom sitting me down and reading this to me. I had no clue what she was suffering from, only that she couldn't always be there. This book helped my young mind grasp that my mother had a chronic illness, and I'll forever be thankful for the clarity it provided to me, and hopefully several other children.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book around 2012, the year I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I was around 5 years old at the time of diagnosis and while I don’t remember much from being sick (it has been mainly blocked out), I do remember reading this book and how much of an impact it had on me. I was depressed because I unfortunately have moderate to severe uc and have ended up in the hospital a few times because of it. The book made me have a better understanding of my disease and also helped get rid of the guilt that comes with it. I will never forget this book, even 12 years later ❤️ I came across it in my closet today and can’t help but think how much it means to me even today. Living with IBD, especially as a pediatric, was and is extremely hard.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of a picture book about Crohn's but this is laughable, particularly the conversations between the two girls. The writing is stilted, awkward and too medical-y; its clear the author doesn't know how to write for children. The illustrations are okay, but don't really complement or expand the story.

[Louann Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toilet Paper Flowers isn't perfect, but then having Crohn's is a deeply personal disease that is difficult to share with others. I know because I live with Crohn's disease. It is an unwelcome visitor in my life, but one I must live with.

So, how does one child explain her disease to another?

Perhaps the story is a bit stilted, but a child with Crohn's is very informed of their disease and passing this information off to a friend can be difficult. The segway into the conversation is why one child has one snack and the other child has something different. I can so relate. Many is the time I have to eat something very different from the people around me and it is a great way to introduce the subject. So, if the conversations between the kids is a bit stilted, well, so be it.

The introduction is superb as is the ending and while the pictures are sweet they are not very well done. However, making toilet paper flowers in the bathroom is a unique idea, one I will try the next time I am stuck in the bathroom.

This is a good book for kids and parents. A unique idea was used to pull the story together and I, for one, appreciate it.

[Tommarra]

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