Diagnosis type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder in children and adolescents. But how do I explain the condition to my child, their siblings, and their friends? The Pixi book “Finn Has Diabetes,” published in 2022, vividly illustrates the hurdles Finn and his family overcome in the first few months after his diagnosis. The new book picks up the story a few years later. While the first Pixi book is aimed at preschool-aged children, the new Pixi Wissen book is intended for older children in elementary school.
Learning about type 1 diabetes made easy
Because of a family move, Finn is transferring to a new school. He’s the first student there with type 1 diabetes, so his new classmates and teachers naturally have a lot of questions. As the story unfolds, Finn tells them what it’s like to live with type 1 diabetes, how an AID and a CGM system work, and why it’s okay to eat sweets every now and then. Young readers also get to tag along with Finn on a visit to his diabetes counselor. Together with Finn’s family, they also head to the pediatrician’s office, where Finn’s little sister is being tested for early-stage type 1 diabetes as part of the Fr1da study. This way, the book also addresses the topic of early detection of type 1 diabetes. Will Finn be allowed to go on the big school sleepover all by himself? That becomes clear as the story unfolds. Children and parents can deepen their knowledge with a built-in quiz.
Finn’s story is encouraging
Through numerous illustrations and a child-friendly story, the book illustrates the challenges that living with type 1 diabetes presents for the child, the family, and everyone around them. Although Finn faces some challenges throughout the story, understanding children and adults listen to him and support him. As a result, the story can be particularly encouraging for families who are living with type 1 diabetes themselves. For teachers, too, this new booklet offers a way to integrate the topic of type 1 diabetes into the classroom in a playful manner. In this way, it can help break down uncertainties and prejudices and prevent stigmatization.
The new Pixi book can be ordered for free starting July 6, 2026:
- Individuals (up to 2 copies per person) and institutions such as elementary schools or counseling centers (up to 50 copies) can order the book via email from the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG). Please send your order, specifying item number 66100030, to bestellung@bioeg.de
- For organizations such as public health departments and public institutions with an institutional account, the book is also available directly through the BIÖG’s online store: shop.bioeg.de
- All pediatric and adolescent medicine practices participating in the Fr1da study can order the books free of charge through the regular material ordering process as part of the study.
Further information:
The Pixi Wissen book “Finn and the Sleepover – Type 1 Diabetes at School” is a joint project of Helmholtz Munich, the Fr1da Initiative, the national diabetes information portal diabinfo.de, the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG), the Auf der Bult Children’s and Youth Hospital, the Center of Regenerative Therapies Dresden, the German Diabetes League (Deutscher Diabetiker Bund e.V.), and the Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ).
