Children’s Books for Long Hospitalizations
* This image uses the old name for the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list
I am super excited to share these books today. They are all so different and yet so perfect for a long hospital stay. Read below to find the one that fits your family's needs or if you work in a children's hospital, just be ready to want to buy them all. Days in the hospitals can be so long and discharge can feel so far away. I hope some sweet stories, some interesting facts, and some ideas for filling your days will help. Keep talking and keep coping together as a family unit. You are not alone, and I see you and how hard this all is.
Also, please keep in mind that I have suggested several other books for kids staying in the hospital. Type ‘Inpatient’ in the search bar to find additional titles.
I have included some links to help you find the resources. Some of them I get a commission for and some I don't. It helps me justify the time I spend finding these well-written important books. I just hope they help you find these special resources.
Hi, Juice Box Juice Box Stays at the Hospital by Drew Daywalt Illustrated by Benson Shum
This book was created by famous children’s authors and illustrators and is offered completely for free. You can download it for free! They will also send you a high resolution version that you can print. So if you’d like to have a copy (Spanish or English) to use with kids in the hospital, your own family, or someone you know the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles will send it to you with permission to print (just no resale!)
Anyway, this book tells the story of a cute juice box who gets squished. He goes to the hospital for help including juice transfusions, a new straw, and physical therapy to stretch back up. Though playful, this book takes on several common experiences including x-rays, IVs, waiting for a transplant, anesthesia, and an extended hospital stay. This book also includes interactions with PT, nurses, doctors, child life specialists, and the hospital librarian. The book is well-written with easy to understand descriptions and analogies (although depending on the developmental level, adults might need to help kids understand the analogies). This book is great for young children through middle school.
For more information, links to download for FREE, and requests for the printable copy:
www.chla.org/literal
From Here to There, I Always Care: Coping and Connecting Activities for Families Separated by a Hospital Stay by Child Life To Go
This resource provides family-wide support for families separated by a hospital stay. This could be because a child is hospitalized or an adult. The book starts with parenting tips that can help adults have conversations with their kids about worries, coping skills, plan making, etc. The remainder of the book is filled with SO many activities. Families can pick and choose which feel good for them. For these days, when coming up with extra fun or connection can feel too hard, this book will make kids feel special. It will give them something to look forward to, a special way to connect with those they care about the most. This activity guide would be best for young kids through elementary school. When you order this book, it also comes with an instant download - so you can start using it right away.
https://childlifetogo.co/collections/blank-page-childrens-books (scroll to the bottom of the page)
What Do Doctors Do? by Sarah Hull
This book is a great one for older kids. It explains many aspects of the hospital, not just what doctors do. The book explains “rounds” which I think is important for those who haven’t spent time in hospitals. It also explains many kinds of x-rays and other procedures using radiation. Lastly, it helps kids understand that doctors are like detectives trying to figure out the right things that will help a body, meaning they don’t always have the answer right away. This is an important and timely read for kids who will be interacting with doctors over many days and may have questions and frustrations about some of the practicalities of medical care. Great educational book for ages 7-14.
https://amzn.to/4sHPLSu
Little Tree: A Story for Children with a Serious Medical Illness by Joyce C. Mills
While the book says it is for kids with an illness, I can find even more benefits for children who spend time in the hospital after an accident. This book tells the story of a young tree who gets damaged in a storm. Knowledgeable kind adults (people) take care of the tree. They also help the tree work through pain and the feelings of looking different after the damage. The tree has a close friend who stays close throughout the experience. While some of the specifics may not directly line up for a child, this can be a great conversation starter about topics like using a calming breath, changes in physical appearance, getting through hard things, and finding out new amazing things about yourself. This book would be good for preschool through elementary school.
This is an older book and so I have only been able to find it used. Although there seem to be lots of used copies and good shape.
https://amzn.to/3Nofob3
The Unstoppable Maggie McGee by Juliet Clare Bell
This book features two hospitalized children. The book does not talk about their specific medical experiences or why they are in the hospital, it instead talks about the two children and their desire for going outside and finding adventure. The children use their imagination and their friendship to focus on play and fun experiences despite limitations. This book normalizes the experience of just wanting to be a kid while also being in the hospital. This book also touches on the necessity of separation when loved ones have to leave the hospital. The illustration depicts the hospital environment as the background for the story, but not the focus. This book would be good for young children through elementary school, especially for children who find the hospital as the background for their play. Although this book was originally sold to make money for an English children’s hospital, I can now only find used copies. Find one using the link below.
https://amzn.to/45nxpfB
