A children’s book about cancer?

Wigs, smiles and seriousness – “Punk Wig” opens communication among kids and adults about cancer

By Leah Weissman

The Times, Nov 6, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jaime Valdez / Times Newspapers

Tigard author Lori Ries (left) and longtime friend Danielle Dover model wigs that Dover had to wear when she was diagnosed with bone cancer three years ago. Ries wrote a children’s book about cancer called “Punk Wig” in honor of Dover and for families dealing with the disease.

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"My mom’s got alien blobs inside her. They’re called cancer. She’s going to the hospital to get the alien blobs zapped with medicine.”

The start of Tigard author Lori Ries’ book is a good indicator of how most young children view cancer – an unfamiliar “thing” that alters loved ones and makes them disappear to the hospital for days and weeks on end.

But while most books talk about cancer with grave seriousness, Ries’ “Punk Wig” story is meant to open communication between parents and children living with cancer. Colorful pictures, simple dialogue and silly aspects of the disease such as trying on wigs of all sizes and fashion, are meant to help families talk about cancer for the first time on a slightly lighter note.

“Life can’t be all black – it needs to be silly sometimes,” Ries said as she leafed through “Punk Wig.” “Cancer can be extremely hard and scary to talk about, and this hopefully makes it easier.”

The children’s book follows the story of a little boy whose mom was recently diagnosed with cancer and how the two help each other cope during what is normally an upsetting situation. The boy goes with his mom to the hospital and points out ducks he can see from her bedroom window. When she comes home sick from chemotherapy, he makes her peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. And when she loses her hair from treatment, they go to a wig shop together and try on dozens of hair styles – laughing and joking as they hold their own little fashion show.

“It’s supposed to empower children,” Ries said. “It shows them they can still do things with mom and not feel helpless.”

The idea for “Punk Wig” didn’t come to Ries in a dream or during a moment of inspiration; it came to her through a friend.

Ries’ longtime friend Danielle Dover confided to her three years ago that she had been diagnosed with bone cancer and didn’t know how to explain to her 5-year-old son that his mom was going to start looking and acting differently.

“I still remember the day she told me she had cancer,” Ries said with a shaky voice. “She said, ‘Lori, I don’t know how to tell Carson that I’m going to lose my hair.’ And I really internalized that.”

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