Helpful Books for Child Patients and Their Families
Books and videos can be a great way to start a conversation with a child about what he or she is thinking and feeling about stressful events. Child life specialists at University of Maryland Children's Hospital recommend the following books for children in the hospital, their siblings and parents:
Books for Children in the Hospital
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
- Jessica's X-Ray by Pat Zonta
- A Trip to the Hospital by Kim Watson
- Cooper Gets a CT Scan by Karen Olson
- Going to the Hospital by Fred Rogers
- A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital by Deborah Hautzig
- Franklin Goes to the Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois
- Let's Talk About Going to the Hospital by M. Johnson
- Why Am I Going to the Hospital? by Claire Ciliotta
- Maggie and the Emergency Room by Martine Davison
- Helping Children to Overcome Fear by Russell Evans
- Little Tree: A Story for Children With Serious Medical Problems by Joyce C. Mills
Books for Parents
- Helping Children Cope with Loss and Separation by Claudia Jewett
- How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness: Supportive, Practical Advice from a Leading Child Life Specialist by Kathleen McCue
Books For Siblings
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
- What About Me? When Brothers and Sisters Get Sick by Allan Peterkin
- When Molly Was in the Hospital by Debbie Duncan
Please contact a child life specialist at 410-328-7440 for other children's or parents' books that may be helpful.