Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand

Jay and Liz Scott, 2004

Using rhymes and whimsical pictures, this inspirational book tells the true story of a little girl who decided to help fund medical research by opening a lemonade stand. It shows how the small act of one child can inspire thousands of people.

Busy World of Richard Scarry: A Big Operation

Richard Scarry, 1995

In this charming story, Huckle has to have his tonsils out and is a little afraid of the hospital. Lowly takes him around the hospital so he can see and talk to other people who have had operations, and Huckle isn’t scared anymore.

Clifford Visits the Hospital

Norman Bridwell, 2012

Clifford visits the hospital and gets into mischief everywhere he goes.

Cooper Gets a Cast

Karen Olson, 2003

Cooper falls out of his tree house and hurts his leg. His dad takes him to the hospital and a nice nurse helps get his leg ready for an x-ray. The doctor shows Cooper his broken bone on the x-ray film and tells him he needs a cast. Cooper goes home and tells his dog, Bunker, about the experience.

Curious George Goes to the Hospital

Margaret and H. A. Rey, 2008

George swallows a piece of a puzzle and must be taken to the hospital for an operation. Through his eyes (and the colorful illustrations), children get a sense of the hospital experience and enjoy a happy ending when a healthy George returns home with his friend.

Don’t You Feel Well, Sam?

Amy Hest, 2007

A gentle, beautifully illustrated book about Sam taking his medicine.

Franklin Goes to the Hospital

Sharon Jennings, 2011

Franklin goes to the hospital for an operation to repair his broken shell, and everyone thinks he’s being very brave. But Franklin is only pretending to be fearless. He’s worried that his x-rays will show just how frightened he is inside. With the help of Dr. Bear, Franklin learns that even though he’s feeling scared, he can still be brave.

Going to the Hospital

Fred Rogers, 1997

In his usual tone of sympathetic understanding and gentle reassurance, Mr. Rogers follows two preschool age children, a pigtailed black girl and red-headed white boy, as they experience getting an identification bracelet, being examined with various instruments, having blood drawn, and talking with a nurse and doctor.

Good-bye Tonsils!

Craig and Juliana Hatkoff, 2004

Dr. Ward and Juliana’s parents help Juliana understand what will happen when she’s in the hospital. By the time she has her surgery, she knows just what to expect.

Harry Goes to the Hospital: A Story for Children About What It’s Like to Be in the Hospital

Howard Bennett, 2008

When Harry gets stomach flu, he is admitted to the hospital, examined, and given an IV and a lot of tests. The procedures are explained in straightforward language, and Harry’s mother remains at his side throughout his stay in the hospital.

Ish

Peter Reynolds, 2004

A wonderful book about creativity and art that will inspire any child in the hospital to draw, write, color, and create, and feel good about himself or herself while doing it.

Little Critter: My Trip to the Hospital

Mercer Mayer, 2012

When Little Critter breaks his leg in a soccer game, he has to make his first trip to the hospital. The book follows Little Critter as he rides in an ambulance, meets the doctor, and gets his first x-ray and his first cast.

Press Here

Herve Tullet, 2011

A charming, interactive book for preschoolers that will take their mind off the hospital and result in many giggles and demands to “Let’s do it again!”

This is a Hospital, Not a Zoo!

Roberta Karim, 2002

Filbert MacFee is having a lively time in the hospital. When Nurse Skeeter is ready to give him a shot, he turns into a thick-skinned rhinoceros! The moment he sits in an ice-cold wheelchair headed for x-ray, he becomes a penguin. Crafty Nurse Beluga outwits Filbert in all his animal transformations, but good news comes at last from Dr. Kebob. Once he stops being an orangutan, he tells Filbert he is well enough to go home.

The Surgery Book for Kids

Shivani Bhatia, 2010

Iggy finds out that his snoring and sore throats are caused by his marshmallow-like tonsils, and that he needs surgery. His fears are lessened by learning about the surgery, and his experience turns into an adventure.

A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital

Deborah Hautzig, 1985

Grover, his mother, Ernie, and Bert visit the Sesame Street Hospital to prepare for Grover’s upcoming tonsillectomy. The familiar characters change an unfamiliar hospital into a place to be trusted, and many typical questions are discussed.