What the book covers (themes & key ideas)

Understanding "going low" - The book helps children recognize what a low blood sugar feels like in kid-friendly terms—shaky, tired, fuzzy, cranky—and reassures them that these feelings are normal and temporary.

Normalizing the experience - By showing that lows happen to other kids with diabetes (and even to the main character's friends in the story), the book reduces isolation and helps children feel less "different."

Action steps for safety - The story reinforces the idea that when you feel low, you need to:

Tell an adult

Treat with fast-acting carbs

Rest if needed

Check again before going back to play

Emotions around lows - The book acknowledges that lows can be frustrating or scary, but frames them as something manageable—not something to be ashamed of or afraid of.

Community and belonging - The illustrations highlight that children with T1D are not alone. Other kids experience this too, and families and friends can understand and help.

What's excellent about this book

Kid-friendly tone: Simple words and bright illustrations speak directly to young children.

Emotional validation: It acknowledges how lows feel without minimizing or dramatizing them.

Clear next steps: Children learn that there's a safe, predictable way to treat lows.

Created by people with diabetes: Both author and illustrator live with T1D, so the story rings true.

Where you'll want to supplement

Narrow focus: The book is only about hypoglycemia; parents will need other resources to cover the full scope of T1D.

Best for younger kids: Older children may outgrow the picture book format quickly.

Doesn't cover "highs": Families will need other tools to explain hyperglycemia.

Parent-ready guide (inspired by the book)

How to use the book at home:

Bedtime reading - Make it part of storytime, reinforcing what to do if your child feels low.

Role play - Pause while reading and ask, "What would YOU do if you felt like this?"

Emotion talk - Use the story to discuss how lows feel—give your child language to express their own symptoms.

How to use the book at school or daycare:

Read aloud to classmates - Helps peers understand what's happening if your child needs a snack mid-activity.

Leave a copy in the classroom - Teachers and aides can use it to explain lows quickly and empathetically.

Pair with your child's care plan - Reinforce that lows have a clear treatment plan—and Rufus (from JDRF) or similar tools can demonstrate the steps.

How this book fits among other trusted resources

Best for: Children ages 3-8, especially in the first year or two after diagnosis.

Pairs well with: Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes (hands-on practice) and parent-focused guides like Kids First, Diabetes Second or The Type 1 Life.

Unique role: One of the only picture books specifically about hypoglycemia, giving children the words and confidence to handle lows.

Verdict

When I Go Low is a gentle, reassuring picture book that helps young children with T1D understand, normalize, and manage low blood sugars. It doesn't try to teach the whole condition—just one critical piece, in language kids can absorb.

For families with newly diagnosed young children, this book is a valuable emotional and educational tool, especially when paired with broader resources for parents and older siblings.

When I Go Low

Recommended for: