Coloring Books that Support, Educate and Promote Coping in the Hospital
* This image includes the old name for the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list.
The coloring books that I am sharing today do an excellent job of engaging kids, promoting honest conversations, and helping kids feel represented and less alone in their journey. The interactive aspect of a coloring book gives kids control and engages different parts of their brain. It allows self expression and takes them out of the passive "listener role". Some of these books would be good for all kids and some serve a very specific purpose - so read below to learn more!
(All of these resources were created by people and not AI)
Tubie Coloring Book by Amber Williamson Essner
This book offers 36 different coloring pages. Each page shows a cute animal or person with a feeding tube. Some are g-tubes and some are NG tubes. Some have backpacks, IV poles, syringes, pumps, etc as well. There are also a few “design your own” pages. This book is great for representation - allowing a child to feel less alone. It is also great for educational purposes such as siblings, classmates, and peers. The design makes the tubes look cute and not scary. Great for preschool through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/4bBKDI5
Dr. Robin’s Anatomy Coloring Book for Serious Young Scientists by Dr. Robin Dickinson MD
This book does an awesome job of providing scientifically correct, yet easy-to-understand medical drawings. Short medical facts and lessons are interwoven in a way that increase understanding. If you have a school age child who requires regular medical attention, it is so important that they understand their own body. This book is educational while allowing kids to be creative. Seems like it would be great to have on hand in every child life office! Pages could be used for school visits and patient education interactions. Honestly, it would be great for caregivers, teachers, and school nurses too! Good for elementary school kids.
https://amzn.to/40CFZV2
My First Book About the Brain by Patricia J. Wynne and Donald M. Silver
This is an educational book about the brain that just also happens to be a coloring book. If you have a child that would benefit from learning more about the brain, this could be a good interactive way to talk about it. Coloring can be a nice way to bring their attention and focus on illustrations which can enhance understanding. This book has more elaborate and detailed descriptions so I would suggest for middle elementary through high school.
https://amzn.to/4cU28pk
Our Sweet ________: A fill-in-the-blank children’s book about a special baby, gone too soon. by Laura Camerona
Self-disclosure, this another Words Worth Repeating resource. This coloring book wouldn't be for every child, but rather specifically for families after the death of a baby. This coloring book includes text with blanks for families to "fill-in" and personalize. The book tells their baby’s story accompanied with illustrations that can be colored in a realistic or more magical, creative way. Once colored and filled in, this book serves as a legacy book that families can read to remember their sweet baby.
https://amzn.to/4sVnp6I
I Am A Chronic Illness Crusader: An Adult Coloring Book for Encouragement, Strength and Positive Vibes by Kathy Weller
Created by an artist and “chronic illness crusader” and not AI, this book provides coloring pages with various supportive quotes. Books that support the user to rest, take care of themselves, breathe, and focus on their limits and their strength, not their setbacks. Great for elementary through adult.
https://amzn.to/475DNJg
