ChocoLit Press™
Sketch of a little girl sneezing so hard that a giant hand-lettered AHHH-CHOOO! bursts across both pages.

Who can stop the Sickies?

When a child gets sick, their body isn't broken. It's fighting back.

A read-aloud picture book for ages 4 to 8. Coming November 21, 2026.

For the next runny nose in your house

Every parent knows the routine. The sniffle that turns into a cough, the flushed cheeks, the long days on the couch. What kids don't always know is that every one of those symptoms is a sign their body is working for them.

Who Can Stop the Sickies? turns that confusing, uncomfortable feeling into an adventure your child can follow, and gives you a simple way to explain what's really going on inside.

Because when kids know their body is fighting for them, being sick stops being scary.

Three grinning Sickies tumbling through a throat.

Sick days feel less scary

Coughs, drips and fevers become part of a story, so kids can name what they feel instead of worrying about it.

Two blue immune cells shouting and pointing.

Real science, told in a silly way

Germs, immune cells and fever are shown as characters kids can picture, so the ideas stick.

The girl crunching a snack with a mug in her hand, looking determined.

Your child is part of the team

Resting, eating and drinking aren't chores anymore. They're how kids help their body win.

Meet the troublemakers

The Sickies are sneaky, silly and always looking for their next target. This time, it's your child.

The Sickies

Hiding in the shadows, waiting for one good sneeze.

The leader of the Sickies, wearing a crown and a sash, holding a sword and grinning.

The one in charge

Crown on, sword up, giving all the orders.

A long line of smiling Sickies marching together.

The Drip Squad

Out to clog a nose and run it like a faucet.

But they didn't count on…

A tiny army inside every child, ready to fight back.

The General of the germ-fighting army, sword in hand.

The General

He's not alone. You'll meet the rest of his army in the book.

Take a look inside

A few early sketches to show you the story. Use the buttons or your arrow keys to turn the page.

No spoilers. How it ends is for you and your little one to find out together.

Hand-lettered shout: GO, GO, GOOO! Hand-lettered sign: COUGH CREW, MOVE OUT! Hand-lettered cheer: YAAY!!

Made for reading out loud

Big sneezes, silly voices and sound effects on almost every page. It's the kind of book kids ask for again, and that grown-ups don't mind reading again.

A free coloring page

Sign up and we'll send you a printable Sickies coloring sheet to enjoy while you wait for the book.

Teachers, librarians and reviewers can request a digital review copy using the form below.

About the book

Ages
4 to 8 (PreK to Grade 3)
Pages
40, full color
Size
8.5 × 8.5 in
Publisher
ChocoLit Press™
Release
November 21, 2026

Monique Mayers, author

A Bajan-Canadian mom who writes the books she wants her daughter to read, and shares them with the world. More about Monique

Taiye Okoh, illustrator

A Nigerian children's book illustrator who hand-draws each page to bring it to life.

Hardcover

$19.99

USD · $25.99 CAD

ISBN 978-1-997178-01-9

Paperback

$12.99

USD · $16.99 CAD

ISBN 978-1-997178-00-2

The book releases November 21, 2026. It will also be available wherever books are sold, and your local bookshop or library can order it with the ISBN.

Don't let the Sickies sneak up on you

Be the first to see the full color cover and get early access to pre-order. While you wait, enjoy free coloring pages. We will send 3 emails only.