For young children with neurofibromatosis, medical appointments can feel big, unfamiliar, and sometimes scary. An eye exam, an MRI, a doctor’s visit, or even the mention of a needle can bring up questions that are hard for a small child to understand — especially between the ages of 3 and 7, when imagination is strong and reassurance matters so much.
That is the heart behind NF Midwest community member Jenna Pederson’s children’s book, Nothing to Fear: A Children’s Book on NF. Jenna grew up with NF1 and remembers what it felt like to be a child facing testing, appointments, and uncertainty. But this book is not meant to be a medical story about everything she experienced. It is a gentle, imaginative story created to help children feel less alone and less afraid.
Jenna began writing Nothing to Fear while she was in college, where she studied writing. As the idea took shape, she talked about the book with her Children’s Literature teacher and thought carefully about how to write for very young readers. She wanted the story to be simple, comforting, and age-appropriate — something a parent, caregiver, teacher, or medical provider could read with a child before or after an appointment.
To make sure the book would connect with children in that early childhood age range, Jenna also shared it with grade school teachers for review. Their feedback helped her consider how children listen, learn, ask questions, and use stories to make sense of the world around them.
The story is also brought to life through illustrations by Brittany Nawara, whose artwork helps make the message feel welcoming and accessible for young children. For this age group, pictures are not just decoration — they help children follow the story, connect with the emotions, and imagine themselves as brave and capable.
The result is a story that uses imagination as a tool for courage. Instead of focusing only on what might feel frightening, Nothing to Fear helps children reimagine difficult moments in a way they can understand. A medical machine can become part of an adventure. A hospital visit can feel a little less overwhelming. A child with NF can see that they are more than a diagnosis.
For families, the book can also open the door to gentle conversations. It gives adults language to talk with children about NF without making the condition feel too heavy. It offers comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that fear does not have to be the only feeling connected to medical care.
Jenna wrote Nothing to Fear because she wanted young children with NF to have a story that speaks to them at their level — one that says, “You are not alone. You are brave. And NF is only one part of who you are.”
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