This article originally appeared in the November-December 2000 issue of the Children's Advocate newsmagazine, published by Action Alliance for Children.

Going to the doctor

Realistic explanations, stories, and silly rhymes all help kids get comfortable

By Ben Peterson

Visiting a doctor or going to the hospital can be a terrifying experience for a child. The unfamiliar smells, bizarre equipment, and painful shots may take on exaggerated dimensions because children are confused and scared. Recognizing and understanding this fear, a few authors have written excellent nonfiction "guides" to hospitals and doctor's offices. Describing the machines, people, and procedures, these authors show children what to expect and minimize their anxiety. Children's authors have also written captivating and funny fictional stories with sick characters and helpful doctors, showing children why going to the doctor or to the hospital is sometimes necessary and doesn't need to be frightening.

Going to the Hospital, story by Fred Rogers, photographs by Jim Judkins. TV personality Mr. Rogers produced this book to show children what hospitals are like and to provide a way to talk to them about going to the hospital. One of the most difficult aspects of going to the hospital is the fear of the unknown. Because children have limited experience with the equipment and people, they are often afraid. Mr. Rogers explains to children that hospitals give children the care that moms and dads can't and dispels children's common fear that the illness is their fault. He also familiarizes children with the different machines and people that they will see so they will feel as comfortable as possible. (GP Putnam's Sons, 1988)

Barney is Best, story by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrations by James Graham Hale. When a young boy finds out he needs to go to the hospital to have his tonsils removed, he must decide on which stuffed animal to bring. After considering each of them, he decides to choose Barney the elephant, despite its old appearance and smell of old shoes. Barney has given him comfort his entire life. In this story of friendship and family, Carlstrom aslo addresses the anxiety children feel when they are faced with going to the hospital. (Harper Collins, 1994)

Who's Sick Today? Story and illustrations by Lynne Cherry. A gnu with the flu, a chimp with a limp, a snake with an ache, and other charming young characters are tended to by a kindly stork-doctor and his pelican assistant. Young children will delight in the simple, silly rhymes, ridiculous scenarios (a whale on a scale), and warm, inviting pictures. In a cozy hospital room, mother llama reads a story to one sick llama while father helps the other with a puzzle. Dr. Stork takes the temperature of a beaver with a fever in his underwater home; fish swim by the window as the beavers recuperate in snug beds. Cherry's sweet, comforting portrayals of being sick and going to the doctor are recommended prescriptions for any child -- sick or well. (Puffin Unicorn Books, 1988).

Tubes in My Ears: My Trip to the Hospital, story by Virginia Dooley, illustrations by Miriam Katin. Luke, a young boy, tells the story of the time he went to the hospital to get tubes put in his ears. He explains all the things he had to do to get ready for the surgery, including packing for the trip and not eating or drinking before the operation. Once in the hospital, he reports what the doctor told him, how he was put to sleep, and what the operating room looks like. We even learn why doctors wear masks. He also discusses being scared and feeling sick. Children who have to go to the hospital for surgery will appreciate Luke's insights and feel more comfortable about what to expect. (Mondo Publishing, 1996)

One Bear in the Hospital, story and illustrations by Caroline Bucknall. Ted, a tad too reckless on his bike, breaks his leg and has to the hospital. In the hospital, this young bear goes through all the expected emotions: loneliness, fear, pain, curiosity, and finally relief. When he returns home, we see that breaking his leg hasn't slowed him down. This story, in playful rhyme, gives a surprisingly realistic portrayl of going to the hospital, helping kids understand that their feelings are normal and that the doctors in the hospital are there to help them get better. (Dial Books for Young Readers, 1992)

We're Going to the Doctor (Signed English), story by Howard L. Roy, illustrations by Ann Silver. When Andy the Panda goes to the doctor for a checkup, he meets several different kinds of doctors and learns about their equipment. What makes this children's book special is that Andy is deaf and uses American Sign Language to communicate. On the back of the book, Roy provides the sign language alphabet, so parents can take advantage of this opportunity to practice some of the letters and words with their children. Sign language is an effective way of teaching phonics to kinesthetic learners because it gives children a motor exercise to remind them of letters. What this book lacks with its coloring-book-style illustrations, it makes up for in its dual language benefits. (Gallaudet College Press, 1974)

Mother Mother I Feel Sick Send for the Doctor Quick Quick Quick, story by Remy Charlip and Burton Supree, illustrations by Remy Charlip. A shadow play accompanied by entertaining rhymes, this is the story of a doctor trying to cure a sick boy's stomach pains. When he looks in the boy's stomach, he finds several plates, balls, a plant, and even a bike. Children will enjoy listening to the funny and simple rhymes and guessing what happened to the doctor's hat when it's missing at the end of the tale. This silly story can take some of the fear out of a doctor's visit and reassure children that a doctor's job is to help the people who are sick. (Four Winds Press, 1966)

Melia Franklin also contributed to this book basket.

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