What People Are Saying About the Book

What a lovely and inspiring story and the illustrations are just beautiful! Ellie will certainly be a favorite for families going through the same challenges. The feeling of love and being brave and strong will resonate with anyone reading this book. I would highly recommend.

What an incredible story! As a cancer mama, it’s incredible to have resources that explain what it’s like, and the feelings that a child might have as they go through cancer treatment. Cancer diagnosis can be very lonely, there is comfort in knowing that there are people out there that want to help. Fairies and princesses are my daughter’s absolute favorite. She loved the illustrations of this book and the story about bravery.

What a beautiful book about resilience! All children facing illnesses must be brave and strong. Ellie is a wonderful role model.

This book was a fun and entertaining read. I feel the focus was on being okay, strength and positivity, and acceptance. Without getting into the gruesome details of Cancer, this book concentrates on what’s important to a child who suffers with Cancer. The illustrations are whimsical and fun. I followed Ellie’s journey through Mardie’s personal posts on social media, and they too were consistently positive, and always mentioned how strong this little fairy Ellie was in real life. I do believe this book would be amazing for many pediatric patients in a wide age spectrum. I’m happy Ellie is on the other side of her journey now. A journey no child should have to endure.

I was deeply touched reading “Ellie the Brave, Bald Fairy” written lovingly by Mardie Caldwell Christiansen. One cannot help but feel the love and care put into this book. This beautifully illustrated book, takes us on a journey from a child’s perspective into a very scary experience for a child with cancer, and shows us how grace in these scary times gives us the courage to persevere one day at a time. It takes us on a journey of separating from superficiality to what matters most, love. The story shows us the unexpected, how something so seemingly evil can in the end give us much strength. This book is much needed, and any child struggling with cancer would be much comforted by it. ❤

As a 5 year old battling Leukemia, I remember being afraid to go out with my bald head, knowing the other kids would think I was weird and different. Indeed, this happened several times, but the encouragement of adults (to be strong and brave, like Ellie!), and reminders that I was beautiful with or without my hair (and with or without steroid-induced inflated cheeks!) helped me move through the world. A book like this to mirror my experience and remind me to continue to be brave, strong and compassionate towards others would have been a wonderful gift during the confusing and tumultuous years of going through treatment.

As the CEO at Victory Junction, a year-round camp for children living with serious illness and chronic medical conditions, I have been blessed to meet so many wonderful children like Ellie. Ellie the Brave, Bold Fairy is great for children living with cancer or any serious illness. This book gives kids a great character to relate to and it can help their friends understand what they are going through. Five stars for a heart-warming story with a wonderful lesson for all.

A book to show children to believe in their own strength and powers.

I couldn’t stop crying. This was a very touching and powerful book that would be great for children going through cancer.

Creative and captivating story that will help children be strong and be brave as they battle with cancer. Confirms that bald is beautiful and all beauty is unique. This story is the perfect combination of educational and magical!

Ellie is such a lovable character! She expresses the same feelings my daughter had about losing her hair and being different from others. What a great story! The illustrations are beautiful too. A must-read for any young child going through cancer!

Ellie the Brave, Bald Fairy was inspirational! Ellie reminds us that it’s ok to have all of our feelings, that we can be scared and brave at the same time, and that, sometimes, really good surprises are waiting for us on the other side of our difficult situations.

Cancer is a tough topic at any age, but for children in particular, it can be especially scary and confusing. Using language and imagery children can understand, author Mardie Caldwell Christensen entwines the fantasy world of fairies with the reality of childhood cancer and effects of treatment. Children fighting cancer will see their own story reflected in the pages as Ellie, a young fairy with cancer, faces her fears and insecurities to find acceptance among her classmates. At the same time, this book provides provides a loving platform for other children to understand a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment for someone they know, such as a family member, friend or classmate. “Ellie the Brave, Bald Fairy” is a must for every elementary school counselor’s library. Whether used as a mirror or a window, it carries a powerful message of hope and strength through the very real human experience of childhood cancer.

Very well written and hits home. Very inspirational and my 3yr old loves it.