The Hospital: The Inside Story
Inside story Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (30)
What’s inside...
A compelling narrative that takes readers on a profound journey inside a bustling hospital, exploring both the emotional and technical challenges faced by the medical staff. It’s another busy day at the hospital! Meet doctors and nurses, ride in an ambulance, and discover the magic of medicine in this nonfiction story for kids. Dr. Christle Nwora takes readers behind the scenes to meet the people who keep you healthy, from surgeons to mental health therapists. Dr. Nwora also explains the science behind how things work, from X-rays to operating theaters. Set over the course of one day, you’ll follow different patients through their trip to the hospital, including a couple having a new baby, a boy getting a cast for his broken arm, and a woman on her way to have an operation.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you think about the different jobs people do in the hospital? Which job would you want to do and why?
How do you think the patients feel when they are in the hospital? Can you describe some ways the staff helps them feel better?
What are some of the tools and machines you saw in the book? What do they do?
If you could ask a doctor or a nurse one question, what would you ask them?
How do you think hospitals will change in the future after reading this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the hospital environment depicted in the book. Validate their emotions and curiosity. Use the illustrations in the book to discuss the different roles and activities in a hospital. Relate personal experiences with hospitals to make the discussion more relatable and less intimidating. Encourage creative thinking by asking what innovations they can imagine for future hospitals.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: The book portrays the compassionate work of healthcare professionals, showcasing how they handle various medical situations with care and kindness.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and share the feelings of others, resulting in more kind and empathetic interactions at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The story highlights how doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff work together seamlessly to help patients.
Real-World Application: It teaches children the importance of working cooperatively in group settings, be it in projects, sports, or family activities.
Example Lesson: Importance of health and hygiene
Explanation: Through various scenarios in the hospital, the book educates on personal hygiene, regular health checks, and preventive care.
Real-World Application: Children can adopt healthy habits like washing hands regularly, eating nutritious food, and staying active to prevent illnesses.
Example Lesson: Coping with fear and anxiety
Explanation: The book addresses common fears associated with visiting a hospital, using characters' experiences to teach coping mechanisms.
Real-World Application: Children can learn ways to manage their own anxieties, such as deep breathing or talking about their fears with a trusted adult.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: As characters in the book ask questions and seek knowledge about medical procedures and health, it fosters a spirit of inquiry.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to ask questions and seek knowledge in all areas of their life, promoting lifelong learning and curiosity.