The Monster in Mummy

By Donia Youssef

Do you have monsters you're scared to face?
I have a monster in me, and believe me, he is not pleasant, but I have an even bigger fear to face... explaining the monster to my kids. Monster in Mummy is a stunning new picture book designed to help parents effectively communicate a cancer diagnosis to their young children. This book provides comfort and coping strategies to families when they are struggling to break the news and supports families when a loved one dies. Much love and hope has been poured into this book to help young children deal with illness, loss and provide hope that someday we will all meet again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monster Publishing Limited
• Release date: Jan 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201089689

Donia Youssef

Award Winning Author, Donia is playing to her strengths and in parallel with her existing successful business, Tiny Angels Ltd - a renowned modelling and acting agency for children, she recently launched Tiny Angels Press which is a Publishing House supporting cancer charities and other cancer survivors who just like her, want to share their own stories and experiences. Proceeds from her book series are helping charitable causes. Donia is an advocate for cancer survivors; she is raising awareness that behind every cancer diagnostic is a real person with dreams and aspirations and she helps them to achieve business success.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

On 21st April 2017, I got diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer, aged thirty-nine years old, which spread to my lymph nodes. With only a 60% survival rate, with two daughters aged two and five at the time, the diagnosis was daunting, to state the least. How could I tell my children I had Cancer, and there was a possibility I may not be alive much longer? Those were thoughts mulling around in my mind constantly. The emotions which followed were similar to grief.

After much research and various support platforms, thankfully, I had the coping strategies to turn around a life-threatening illness into the best years of my life, so I have written this book to give hope to others that Cancer doesn’t need to be a death sentence and good things do come out of adversity. It’s a journey of resilience, hope, love, and strength that we all have within us.

None of our days are guaranteed, and fear blocks many things in life.

Fear and faith require us to imagine something that does not exist. So, if negative, you will have a fear of something that doesn’t exist, and if positive, you will have faith in something that doesn’t exist either. So, training our minds with various outlets to believe there is hope certainly helped me, and I truly believe it will help you too.

We must be grateful and thankful for each day we have been blessed with, and when our time is up, then that decision will be made for us. Until then, we should strive to be the best versions of ourselves and adapt our mindsets to reflect.

All the knowledge and useful support I came across which helped me through my darkest days, I have shared with all my heart, and I do hope you find comfort in my book.

THE MONSTER IN MUMMY

Once upon a time, a loving Mummy, Daddy, and two children called Tiana and Aaliyah lived in a beautiful house with their pet dogs and cats. Their names were Cookie, Lola, Ralphie, Dennis, Nala, and Simba.

The children loved their Mummy so very much.

She was always there for them, helping with whatever they needed. From reading books to giving big hugs, Mummy was always there.

And, most of all, Mummy was very, very brave.

So, one day, when Mummy came to the girls to tell them some important news, they saw she wore her ‘brave face.’

‘Is everything okay, Mummy?’ asked Aaliyah

Mummy smiled brightly. Her smile always made the girls feel calm and safe.

‘It’s going to be all right,’ she said. ‘But first, we have to talk. So come on, girls, come with me.’

So, Tiana and Aaliyah walked with Mummy.

They went downstairs, through the kitchen (where Mummy’s cooking smelt delicious), and outside to sit on the grass. The sun shone brightly, birds chirped happily, and the grass felt soft and fresh.

‘What is it, Mummy?’ asked Tiana.

‘Do you know what a Monster is, girls?’ replied Mummy.

Aaliyah and Tiana turned to each other and giggled. ‘Like the Loch Ness Monster?’ said Aaliyah.

‘Or the Monster under my bed,’ added Tiana. ‘He’s naughty, stealing my socks!’

Mum smiled and squeezed their hands. ‘Well, some Monsters we can’t