During the 2011 Friends for Life conference, Lilly Diabetes and Disney announced a new partnership. At the center is a new Disney character: a young monkey named Coco who is living with diabetes and will be featured in a children’s book series.
The first book is about Coco attending Goofy’s birthday party. At first, Goofy thinks that Coco can’t come because of her diabetes. But Coco and her mom explain that she can do everything the other guests can as long as she plans for it. Coco is a happy, active and well-adjusted young monkey who is excited to attend the party and eager to talk about her diabetes.
I’ve said many times that when it comes to food, healthy choices and moderation are good for anyone, not just those living with diabetes. I am thrilled to see this exact message delivered in this story.
Coco shows Goofy that she can go to the party, play games, win contests, and eat cake and ice ream. This is an important message that we’ve seen delivered in other stories. Lilly Diabetes and Disney take the story a progressive step further.
Coco and other guests partake in but don’t overdo it when it comes to treats. Goofy however, because it’s his birthday, chooses to eat anything and everything he can. As a result of these choices, Coco and others are still going strong and playing and having fun at the end of the party. Goofy, on the other hand, doesn’t feel well and his friends have to take him home in the wagon he brought for Coco because he was worried she would need it because of her diabetes.
I think that is a fantastic message for kids today – all kids, diabetes or not. Make a plan that allows you to have fun while not going overboard, and stick to it.
This and other books planned in the series will be available through doctors’ offices.
Caleb read and enjoyed this book, but Caleb is 8 and has been living with diabetes for more than 4 years. Although I am pleased to have these messages reinforced with Caleb, his current struggles are a little different.
It seemed like Lilly and Disney were 10 steps ahead of me. As I was flipping through the book thinking it would be so wonderful if they could do something in a novel form for kids a little bit older, they said exactly that – a series of novels for tweens is in the works and the first couple will be focused on sports. This happens to be an area of great interest for Caleb right now.
Based upon the caliber of the production of Coco and Goofy’s Goofy Day, I am very excited about the novel series. As Tom Karlya, aka Diabetes Dad, put it, the impact of seeing a Disney character living with diabetes next to Mickey and Goofy, some of the most widely recognized cartoon characters in the world, is certain to be powerful.
In speaking with people from both Lilly Diabetes and Disney Publishing Worldwide, it was clear that they really want to get this right. So far, I think they are doing just that.
In addition to the books, Disney Interactive Media Group has also launched a section on family.com specific to diabetes. You can take a closer look at www.family.com/type1.
Lastly, they distributed a nifty Birnbaum pocket guide for Walt Disney World. It’s a great little summary of what you need to know for a visit to any of the WDW parks. At the end there are four tear-out pages, one for each park, with Type 1 Diabetes tips. I’m definitely keeping this handy for our next trip.
Disclosure: During the 2011 Friends for Life Conference, I attended an informative event about and received an educational takeaway from the Lilly/Disney collaboration. I was not compensated in any way nor was I asked to write about this event. The above opinions are expressly my own.
This is Caleb... 
I love Disney and I love Coco! This is so exciting. What a fantastic message this book shares. Can’t wait to see it and the others.
I just got this book today (from Tracy and The Diabetes Dude)…my youngest (non-D) insisted I read it to her as her bedtime story tonite…I was very pleased as well to see that not only did they get D right, but they also showed how overeating by anyone can cause problems (a lesson that needs extra reinforcing with my youngest)! I didn’t see the bit about the novel series, but I’m very interested to learn more about it…I think Charlotte might be more interested in that, although she really did think that Coco was pretty cool 🙂
What a great idea. Coco is way cute! I would have loved this book when Justin was dx’d a few years ago. Like Caleb, Justin is at a different stage and I would love to have something that related to a group of 10 year olds. I can’t wait to see what they come out with.
Yay! We are so excited! Sweets is the perfect age for this and immediately fell in love with Coco! I can’t wait to see the book! What a wonderful resource!
I love this monkey and the whole concept, I think it’s a great partnership between Disney and Lilly. Can’t wait to see the tween books! Also can’t wait to hear about your take on the whole FFL!
I think this is so exciting!
Where might someone like me get this book with the tear out pages? And is the Coco book for sale? My seven year old would go crazy for it!
okay Lo…Mickey is on his way to redemption from the Hannah Montana bizarre diabetes episode!! yay!!
Love love love! Me wants! 🙂
I didn’t see the Coco book at the conference, but I think it’s a wonderful idea, and since my kid is a tween (as they say), I’m even more excited about the novels coming down the line. Thanks for the info!
Why does this make me want to cry?! My kids love those easy peasy Mickey books, and I know they’ll go ape for this one – I just feel so sad that there are so many kiddos with d that a book is being made about it. I look forward to reading this book and maybe even buying a few extras to give to friends whose children are often overly worried about Isaac because of something they heard on TV or their great aunt tilly told them about d.
Thanks so much for sharing this info.
How great! I’d love to be able to get a copy of the book.
Do you know how we get a copy of the book??
I was a diabetic when I was 8 years old. Back then there was little knowledge about Diabetes. I was wondering if Coco would be available to buy through either the Diabetic Association or a direct location with the monies going towards Diabetes education or a cure. I would also like to purchase the books – they are both great ideas.
Please let me know if there is any way to purchase these items.
Thanks
Rose Marie Jackson
Ottawa, Ontario
rosemariejackson63@gmail.com
How can I get a copy of this book for my 3 yr old grandaughter? Think she would love it. kcanzano@yahoo.com Thanks.
hi i want to buy this book what i have to do? im from brazil!
You cannot buy it. They are available through your healthcare provider although I don’t know if that includes Brazil.
My daughters doctor gave here one of the books at our last appointment. My 4 year old was diagnosed with diabetes last December. It has been a trying to time. SHe is young and doesn’t really understand what the problem is. But I am doing the best I can to educate her so she will know how to take care of herself when she’s older. I think the books are great ideas!!!!!!!
It’s nice to hear that somebody has been able to get them through their doctor! Thanks for posting. Our best to you. Please keep in touch!