The Best Books for Parents and Children Navigating T1D

Written By Julie .

A Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) diagnosis can feel like stepping into a while new world- one filled with insulin pens, blood sugar checks and carb counting. Don’t worry- you’re not alone. There are fantastic books out there to help you understand, manage and even find joy in this journey.

Whether you’re a parent or grandparent looking for guidance, a child trying to make sense of it all or a teenager who just wants to hear from someone who “gets it,” there’s a perfect book for you. So grab a warm drink, get comfy and let’s dive into the best reads for Type 1 families!

Best Books for Parents

1. Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults- Dr. Ragnar Hanas

  • If there’s one book every T1D parents should own, this is it.

  • It’s packed with practical advice, clear explanations and real-life strategies from managing T1D.

  • Covers everything from insulin dosing to handling sick days- basically, your go-to manual for raising a T1D child.

2. Think Like a Pancreas- Gary Scheiner

  • Let’s be real: managing T1D sometimes feels like being a 24/7 pancreas.

  • This book makes it so much easier, explaining blood sugar control, insulin timing and carb counting in a straight forward, often humorous way.

  • Written by a diabetes educator who actually has Type 1, so he gets it.

3. Sugar Surfing- Dr. Stephen Ponder

  • If you have an older child or teen, this book introduces a more flexible, real-time approach to managing blood sugars

  • A great read for parents who want to move beyond the rigid insulin calculations and make use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data.

Best Books for Children (Ages 3-10)

  • 1. Rufus Comes Home- Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF UK)

  • Meet Rufus, the diabetes bear

  • This heartwarming books is a lovely way to introduce young children to their diagnosis.

  • Often available for free from Breakthrough T1D so check their website.

2. Year One with Type 1: A True Story of a Boy with Type 1 Diabetes- Mike Suarez

  • A beautifully written, real-life story that follows a young boy through his first year with T1D.

  • A perfect read for children who feel alone and want to see someone just like them thriving.

3. Diabetes and Me: An Essential Guide for Parents and Carers- Dr May Ng

  • Written by a UK paediatric diabetes expert, this book breaks down T1D in a way that both parents and children can understand.

  • Great for answering those big questions like, “Why do I have diabetes?” and “Will I always need insulin?”

Best Books for Tweens & Teens (Ages 10-18)

1. No Sugar Added- Straight Talk from Those Living with Diabetes- Shelby Kinnaird

  • A collection of real stories from people living with diabetes, making it perfect for teens who want honest, relatable advice.

2. Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It- Mark Heyman

  • Great for older teens

  • Written by a psychologist who has T1D, offering tools to handling the stress and emotional impact of T1D

3. No Days Off- Max Domi

  • Inspiring coming of age story of one of the NHL’s most talented young stars after his T1D diagnosis

  • Fantastic for anyone who loves sports, overcoming adversity and achieving dreams

Why These Books Matter

  • They remind you that you’re not alone.

  • They offer real-life tips from people who’ve been there.

  • They help children and teens feel empowered, not scared.

  • They give parents the confidence to handle anything.

Managing Type 1 Diabetes isn’t always easy, but with the right knowledge and support- you and your child will thrive.

Julie .
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