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Up and Down the Sugar Balance Beam: Growing Up with Type 1 Diabetes
Paperback
Series: And It's Okay Series - Children's Social & Emotional Learning, Book 19
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Oct 27 2026
Pages: 34
Weight: 0.23
Height: 0.09 Width: 8.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
Sometimes life goes up. Sometimes it goes down. And that's okay!
Meet Austin, a cheerful young boy who loves playing soccer, spending time with friends, and balancing on the playground beam. Austin also has diabetes, which means he needs a little extra help keeping his blood sugar balanced.
Through Austin's everyday adventures, young readers discover what diabetes means, why insulin is important, and how checking blood sugar, eating balanced meals, and asking for help can become part of an active, happy childhood.
With encouragement from his family, teachers, doctors, and friends, Austin learns that managing diabetes doesn't have to stop him from doing the things he loves-or dreaming about his future.
Beautifully illustrated by Maria Peña, Up and Down the Sugar Balance Beam is a warm, reassuring story that helps children understand diabetes with confidence, kindness, and curiosity.
Perfect for:
Children living with diabetes
Classmates and friends learning about diabetes
Parents, caregivers, teachers, and school nurses
Elementary school classrooms and libraries
Families encouraging understanding, inclusion, and independence
Part of Bill Bauer's And It's Okay! series, celebrating the differences that make every child unique.
Because diabetes is something Austin has-not who he is. And it's okay!
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