Books to Read Before Your Visit

Going to the hospital – or even the doctor’s office or dentist – can be scary for anyone, especially kids. One of the best ways to prepare them for their visit is to talk about it in advance or even pretend using toys. It’s also important to keep in mind you child’s age and how long is appropriate to help prepare them. A very young child’s memory is not long, so it helps to prepare them just a day or two before their visit. For older children or teens, it can be helpful to tell them several weeks in advance so they have time to ask all the questions they have and talk through what to expect.

Reading Books

Reading a book about visiting the doctor also can be a great way to open a dialogue with your child. The following are some of The Children’s Hospital doctors’ and nurses’ favorite books. You can always contact or stop by The Children’s Hospital Family Health Library for additional books or trusted research about pediatric conditions or disorders.

About Visiting the Doctor

• McCue, L. Corduroy Goes to the Doctor. Viking Children’s Books, 2001.

• Civardi, Anne; Going to the Doctor. Usborne Books, 2006.

• Hallinan, P. K.; My Doctor, My Friend. Ideals Publications, 2002.

• Murkoff, Heidi; What to Expect When You Go to the Doctor. HarperFestival, 2000.

• Murkoff, Heidi; What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist. HarperFestival, 2002.

About Visiting the Hospital

• Bourgeois, Paulette; Franklin Goes to the Hospital. Scholastic, Inc. 2000.

• Bridwell, Norman; Clifford Visits the Hospital. Scholastic, Inc. 2000.

• Civardi, Anne; Going to the Hospital. Usborne Books, 2006.

• Karim, Roberta; This is a Hospital, Not a Zoo!. Clarion Books, Reprint edition, 2002.

• Rey, H. Curious George Goes to the Hospital. Houghton-Mifflin, 1966.

• Rogers, Fred; Going to the Hospital. Putnam, Reprint edition, 1997.

• Thomas, Pat; Do I Have to Go to the Hospital?: A First Look at Going to the Hospital. Barron’s Educational Series. August, 2006.

For Brothers, Sisters or Friends

• Duncan, D. When Molly Was in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children. Rayve Productions, 1994.

• Peterkin, Allan; What About Me?: When Brothers and Sisters Get Sick Magination Press, 1992.

• Schulz, Charles; Why, Charlie Brown, Why?: A Story About What Happens When a Friend is Very Ill. Ballantine Books, 2002.

About Surgery

• Dooley, Virginia; Tubes in My Ears: My Trip to the Hospital. Mondo Publishing, 1996.

• Lansky, Vicki; Koko Bear’s Big Earache: Preparing Your Child for Ear Tube Surgery. The Book Peddlers; reprint edition 2004.

• Pace, B. Chris Gets Ear Tubes. Galaudet University Press, 1987.

• Gordon, Melanie Apel; Let’s Talk About When You Have to Have Your Tonsils Out. PowerKids Press, 2004.

• Hatkoff, Craig; Good-Bye Tonsils. Viking Juvenile, 2001.

For Children with Serious Conditions

• Mills, Joyce C.; Little Tree: A Story for Children with Serious Medical Illness. Magination Press, 2^nd Ed. 2003.