The Hospital Book
What’s inside...
The Hospital Book by Lisa Brown is a children's book that explores the experience of going to the hospital. It covers topics such as what to expect, different medical procedures, and the emotions that come with being in a hospital. The book aims to provide comfort and understanding for young readers who may be facing a hospital visit. It follows a little girl's journey from arrival through diagnosis, anesthesia, and recovery, incorporating illustrations brimming with action and speech bubbles that engage and reassure young readers. With humor and empathy, Lisa Brown creates a comforting tale to alleviate the fears associated with hospital visits.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What were some of the ways the doctors and nurses helped the patients feel better in 'The Hospital Book'?
How did the hospital environment in the book make the characters feel? Can you describe what things made them feel that way?
Why do you think hospitals are important based on the story we read?
If you were a character in 'The Hospital Book', what role would you choose to be and why?
How do you think the characters felt when they were getting help at the hospital?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about hospitals, and relate them to the experiences depicted in the book.
Ask your child to draw a picture of a hospital room or a character from the book, focusing on details that stood out to them.
Share a personal story about a positive hospital visit to help your child connect with the book’s themes.
Discuss the importance of community helpers like doctors and nurses, and how they contribute to everyone’s well-being.
Use expressive gestures and tones while reading the scenes from the book to make the discussion more lively and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book portrays various characters undergoing treatments or visiting the hospital, providing a foundation for children to understand the experiences and emotions of others in similar situations.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by showing more kindness and patience towards friends or family members who are ill or need medical attention.
Example Lesson: Importance of healthcare professionals
Explanation: Through its depiction of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, the book highlights the vital roles these professionals play in maintaining health and wellness in a community.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to respect and appreciate the critical work of healthcare workers, which they can express through trust and cooperation during their own medical visits.
Example Lesson: Awareness of medical environments
Explanation: By introducing children to what happens in a hospital, the book helps reduce fear and anxiety about medical environments through familiarization.
Real-World Application: When children need to visit a hospital or a clinic, they can recall the scenarios from the book, which can help them feel more comfortable and less intimidated.
Example Lesson: Importance of health and wellbeing
Explanation: The narrative encourages discussions about health, the reasons people may need medical care, and ways to support recovery and wellness.
Real-World Application: Children are motivated to focus more on their health and wellness and can practice habits that prevent illness, like good hygiene and safety practices.