Going to the Hospital

Children's Literature - Elizabeth Leis-Newman

Children will learn about what it is like in a hospital, whether they are there as a visitor or a patient. Parker's chapters, ranging from "Why Might I Go to a Hospital," to "How Will I Feel in the Hospital" demystify what can be a scary experience. Other sections include learning about what might happen in a hospital, what kind of people one meets, what happens if one needs an operation, and what happens when he/she leaves the hospital. While each page only has two to three sentences, it's a mix of information such as "You can have special tests there to find out if something is wrong with your body" and practical, age-appropriate tips like "you can cheer up patients by visiting them." Additional components are "How to Behave in a Hospital" with tips such as taking a patient a small present like a magazine, and a picture glossary with words including stethoscope and operation. The format relies heavily on large color stock art, but it's doubtful any reader will mind. This book is ideal for an elementary school classroom and can be used as a jumping off point to discuss a hospital with a first- or second-grader. Recommended as an addition to a home or school library. This book is part of the Heinemann Read and Learn series "Growing Up," and is listed as a Level K. Reviewer: Elizabeth Leis-Newman