Laura's Favorite Books for the Hospital/Medical Experiences Shared in 2025
* This image uses the old name for the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list.
Almost a year ago, I decided to start creating the Hospital Book List. As a children's author that specializes on supporting families through medical experiences, I was often asked for book recommendations or people would suggest "You should write a book about ______!".
I would never have the time to create a resource about every possible diagnosis or experience, and I knew some cool resources already existed. So I decided it would be valuable to start exploring and sharing great children's books about a variety of medical experiences. At first, I thought I could create a list in a week and then just a book or two every so often, but I quickly found that there were way too many books for that. So the weekly additions/updates became a way that I could continue working on the list while continuing to create and promote Words Worth Repeating books .
If you are reading this, I am so happy that you found this special project. Most of you probably missed some of my updates, especially the first posts last winter/spring. So today, I'm excited to reflect and remember some of my favorite books that I shared in 2025. I am including links to help you see the book and learn more about it. If you do purchase through the link, I do make a small commission which helps me be able to put more time into this project.
Lastly, I want to say that out of the 300ish books I shared, I could probably put 50 of them as my favorites, but I'm going to share 9 about a wide variety of topics and from various authors, 1 digital app with various books that share my goal of supporting families through children's books, and then a few of my own unique. If your hospital got some Amazon gift cards, consider these titles as a way to amplify the support available for your families!
Now without further ado...
Today is the Day! My First Surgery by Carli Tourdot, CCLS
This is the best book that I’ve seen so far about a child’s surgery experience! This book tells the story about one child’s first outpatient surgery. Written by a child life specialist, the book does an amazing job covering all of the important details. The book talks about waking up in the morning, traveling there, pre-op, the operating room, post-op and going home. The book addresses feeling a little nervous, but shows kind medical professionals who help the day go well. One thing to keep in mind is that since the book does a great job covering a lot of the details that kids would find important, some of those details could be different in your child’s experience (ex. when/if your child will get an IV, parents being allowed in the OR, flavoring an anesthesia mask, etc). I would still definitely recommend this book. Kids can understand that each child’s story and each hospital is a little different. I would recommend this book for preschool-elementary.
https://amzn.to/4nUWZ1P
The Kids’ Book of Diversity by Catherine Stephenson, Jenny Stephenson, Hiruni Kariyawasam
This book covers a wide variety of differences from families, skin color, houses, abilities, strengths, bodies, conditions, etc. While I think it would be an appropriate addition to a hospital library as oftentimes kids can become focused on their differences, it is an essential addition to every classroom/school counselor’s office. Each page spread covers a different kind of difference, while consistently reinforcing the idea that all of these differences are okay. The book also asks some questions that help kids relate. Good for young-middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/4amWdrm
Why Do Things Die? by Katie Daynes (Available in Spanish and other languages)
This book takes a younger reader (and their caregiver) through various common questions. Each lift the flap has various answers and comments that are relevant to how young children think. The questions include: Why do things die? Is it okay to talk about dying? What happens when someone dies? Can I shout and cry and hide away? How can I stop being sad? …and then lastly a chance to focus on the happy memories of someone who has died. This book would be great for young children who ask questions about death or have a loved one who has died. Good for very young through young elementary. For some kids you might pick and choose some flaps.
https://amzn.to/49LaJsz
Which Food Will You Choose? By Claire Potter
Let me start by saying that I love this book. The book tells the story of a mom who gets sick of only having beige food in the house and brings her kids to the grocery store to find foods of different colors. Children are prompted to point at which foods of each color they would choose. The book doesn’t teach that any foods are bad, but instead gives the reader control and options. There is a lovely tip sheet in the back that also reminds caregivers that this game isn’t about forcing kids to try foods, but rather exposure. Great for young children through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/44CciFT
Hospital Heroes Save the Day by R.W. Alley
This is the first time that I have reshared a book, but it does such a good job of giving information and being playful- plus there are several pages that focus on the ER. There is lots to see in each illustration which could be another great time filler during waits in the ER, while also being a great conversation starter about the hospital environment and the things that kids are noticing. The book is similar to Richard Scarry books, as there are lots of different details (both fun and educational) that you can read in addition to the general storyline. The book does a nice job describing a lot of parts of health care and various reasons for admission. The book brings up lots of hospital careers (including a child life specialist) and the author took care to check with hospital experts to make sure the details are correct. (would be good for preschool through upper elementary)
https://amzn.to/3YjhbQU
Cancer Party! By Sara Olsher
This book explains cancer and treatments in a factual, yet playful way. This can give families the mutual vocabulary to talk about cancerr as they navigate diagnosis, scans, and treatments. The playful kid-like language makes it a little more engaging than other factual books, but it also might need a little clarification from caregivers. You know your kid best! (Ages preschool through elementary) This author also has several other great titles including books that support kids when a loved one has cancer or when a kid is sick and isn't going to get better. I highly recommend getting all of these for your hospital.
https://amzn.to/494W4Yv
Cricket’s Big Fall, Nico Gets Stitches, and Cricket's Medicine by Gooshi World App
Thwaw e-books are free and is available on the Gooshi World free app. This stories cover some basic concepts about each of these experiences. They can help parents prepare a child for an experience or start a conversation about something that was hard to work on building coping skills. I love what this organization is doing to promote family conversations and working through medical experiences together. Good for kids ages 2-8.
Get more info here: https://gooshi.world/
A Trip to the Hospital by Freda Chiu
This is a great book to add to the Hospital Book List and could be helpful for any sort of hospital visit. I think it would be super helpful in the ER waiting room to prepare a child for a variety of experiences and people. The book shows a variety of kids going to the hospital for different reasons. It shows them getting good care from helpful people. Caregivers may need to clarify what experiences apply to their situation and what experiences might be another child's. Great for young ages through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/4jEK5ot
The Brain is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk
This easy-to-understand book explains many of the brain’s jobs. The book makes the brain and its many parts characters, helping kids understand how they relate and how they work. This book would be a great book to partner with any brain-related diagnosis. The book has extra side bubbles with extra facts for kids who are ready for more. Well done and a great fit for many kids. I would recommend for preschool through upper elementary.
https://amzn.to/4peZIUx
Spots That Make Us Special by Meridith Pensler
This book talks about a large variety of skin differences including eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, mollascum, and alopecia. Each kid shows the difference they deal with and mentions what they do to treat it. It doesn’t go into great depth about any of them, but it normalizes skin differences and helps kids feel less alone in being different. Great for young kids through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/4ayKeqS
Ending with a few of my own books, as I still truly believe that they provide important support for the NICU/Maternity:
Our Baby in the NICU by Laura Camerona & All About Our Baby and the NICU by Laura Camerona
(Available in Spanish in the next couple of days!)
As a child life specialist, I created these books to support young NICU siblings when I couldn't find any current literature that supported with simple honest language. Our Baby in the NICUwas thoughtfully-written to explain different aspects of the NICU and to support common feelings for younger children. The book simply explains where the baby is staying, who is taking care of them, and when they will come home. The book also highlights the important role of being a NICU sibling. Colorful, inclusive illustrations. They do not represent one race, culture, or family. https://amzn.to/3LocT7O
There Was a Baby... by Laura Camerona
This book gives caregivers the words to talk to their children about a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. The book acknowledges common feelings and supports the entire family unit with simple explanations and colorful images. Available in English, Spanish, and French. There is also a version for the loss of a twin titled There Was Another.
English: https://amzn.to/4b99sMI
Spanish: https://amzn.to/3MS4VnZ
French: https://amzn.to/4ppidWt
Twin: https://amzn.to/4aEG4h7
Our Sweet ________: A fill-in-the-blank children’s book about a special baby, gone too soon. by Laura Camerona
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/4pnzZJM
