What the book covers (themes & key ideas)

1) Making diabetes approachable

Rufus "has diabetes too," so he models courage and everyday routines—blood sugar checks, insulin doses, and wearing medical devices. By watching Rufus, kids learn these tasks are normal, safe, and doable.

2) Teaching through play

The bear has soft practice patches on his body where children can pretend to give insulin injections, place a pump site, or check blood glucose. This hands-on practice turns stressful medical care into child-friendly play.

3) Healthy habits & balance

The book weaves in lessons about:

Eating healthy meals

Checking glucose before snacks or sports

Staying active

Understanding how food, insulin, and exercise work together

4) A supportive companion

Rufus is not just a teaching tool—he's a friend and comfort item. The book encourages children to take Rufus to school, to medical appointments, and even to bed, so they never feel alone in their condition.

5) Family and school conversations

Parents and siblings are guided to use Rufus when explaining diabetes to others. Teachers and classmates can see Rufus "get his check" before snack or "wear his pump," which helps reduce stigma and build empathy.

What's excellent about this book

Child-centered design: It speaks in the language of young children, making diabetes less intimidating.

Interactive: The bear's patches let kids practice self-care tasks in a low-pressure way.

Comfort + learning: Rufus provides emotional reassurance while teaching routines.

Widely accessible: Distributed free by JDRF, often at the moment families most need support.

Where you'll want to supplement

Simplified information: The content is meant for children; parents will need more detailed resources (e.g. ADA, ISPAD guidelines, or books like *The Type 1 Life*).

Age range: Rufus works best for children under 10 years old; older kids may see him as "too babyish."

Medical guidance: Rufus is a teaching tool, not a replacement for diabetes education from a care team.

Parent-ready guide (inspired by the book)

Note: This is general information, not medical advice. Always follow your care team's instructions.

Using Rufus at home (first weeks after diagnosis)

Practice together: Pretend to check Rufus's blood sugar or give him an insulin shot before doing it on your child.

Bedtime buddy: Use Rufus to talk about what happened that day, reinforcing that "he has diabetes too."

Storytime: Read Rufus's book to your child, pausing to explain what's happening in their own care routine.

Using Rufus at school

Show and tell: Let your child introduce Rufus to the class, explaining that he checks his blood sugar or takes insulin.

Teacher tool: Keep Rufus in the classroom as a reminder that your child may need breaks for checks, snacks, or treatment.

Normalize activities: Rufus "does sports" and "goes on field trips" too—he's a role model for living fully with T1D.

Using Rufus to build confidence

Role play: Let your child "teach" Rufus how to manage diabetes—kids often learn by teaching others.

Emotion check: Use Rufus to ask, "How do you think Rufus feels about his shots today?" to open up conversations about fears or frustrations.

How this book fits among other trusted resources

Best for: Children ages 2–10, especially in the first year after diagnosis.

Pairs well with: Parent-focused guides (*The Type 1 Life*, ADA's school resources, ISPAD guidelines) and community resources (Beyond Type 1, Breakthrough T1D).

Unique role: Comfort + practice + child-centered storytelling—no other diabetes resource combines all three quite like Rufus.

Verdict

Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes is a powerful bridge between the medical reality of type 1 diabetes and a child's emotional world. It transforms fear into familiarity, gives kids a buddy who "gets it," and makes daily care less daunting.

It's not a comprehensive parent guide, but it is an essential emotional and educational first step for young children adjusting to life with diabetes.

Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes

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