If You Were a... Doctor

Children's Literature

When a child is asked the question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" the answer fired back is often "a doctor." In this book loaded with photographs of all kinds of doctors in action, children are introduced to the varied types of doctors, from the family physician to the orthopedist to the surgeon. The excitement of delivering a baby or giving a toddler a vaccination are parts of the jobs featured in this simple overview of the medical profession. The education to become a doctor and the skills needed for this important profession are also explained in easy-to-read text. Complicated words are phonetically spelled out to help the beginning reader. There is a very brief history of the profession following the text, as well as a small glossary and illustrated list of a doctor's clothing and instruments. For those children who have a fear of going to the doctor, this book might help show just how caring and special doctors are and why it is important to visit them regularly. 2001, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, . Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Karen Deans