A visit to the hospital, whether to have a check up, stay overnight or even visit a friend or family member, can be a daunting prospect for young children. Luckily, there are several books, both fiction and non-fiction, currently available to help put their minds at rest.
Aimed at children aged two to six, Dick Bruna's Miffy in Hospital (Egmont, £2.99) is a reassuring, simple picture book. Featuring the familiar and much loved character Miffy the white rabbit, this title in the series follows her visit to the hospital to have her tonsils removed. The bold, colourful illustrations and simple text makes this a joy to share with young children.
Topsy and Tim Go to the Hospital by Jean and Gareth Adamson (Ladybird Books, £2.99) explains what happens when Tim has to go into hospital after falling out of a tree and bumping his head. He has an X-ray and stays in the hospital for a couple of nights, but manages to make plenty of friends, and looks forward to visits from his mum and twin sister Topsy.
Part of the First Experience series aimed at three- to seven- year-olds, this is a gentle introduction to what children might expect when staying in, or visiting, a hospital for the first time.
The ever-difficult Little Princess returns in this highly entertaining title from Tony Ross, I Don't Want To Go To Hospital (Andersen Press, £8.99). Adamant that she will not go to hospital to have a lump removed from her nose, she tries her utmost to avoid the visit. However, when she eventually gets there, she is reluctant to leave, as they treat her like a princess! This light-hearted story for three- to seven-year-olds is narrated and illustrated with humour, and will help children to approach a visit to the hospital without fear or apprehension.
Hospital by Carol Watson (Franklin Watts, £9.99) is one of several titles in the Busy Places series, which charts 24 hours in a familiar busy environment. This title focuses on a handful of staff, patients and visitors during a typical day at a hospital. Suitable for four- to eight-year-olds, this book combines many colourphotographs with bold, clear text, as well as listing some useful safety tips at the end.
Rather than being read from cover to cover, Hospital (Series: Separations) by Janine Amos (Cherrytree Books, £8.99) is an excellent reference book to be delved into at random. It explores hospital experiences through letters, short stories and bullet points which together succeed in raising some commonly asked questions and dispelling anxieties. Interspersed with watercolour illustrations and photographs, there is quite a lot of text. It may be difficult for younger children to read alone, but would be ideal to share with children aged five years and over.
Finally, Hospital in the series Building Works by John Malam (Belitha Press, £10.99) is an excellent title for readers from eight to 11, who demand a high level of information. Beginning with a fold-out plan of a typical modern hospital, the book explores, room by room, the function and running of each department. Moving from the operating theatre, to intensive care, to the children's ward, it also looks at behind the scenes departments such as the kitchens and laundry room.
Many of the extensive colour illustrations are labelled, and there is a detailed glossary at the back of the book. Ideal for use in the classroom.
• For a full list of titles about going to the hospital, contact Book Trust on 0906 516 1193 (calls charged at £1.50 per minute).
