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Rating: 
Summary: A thoughtful book to prepare children for hospital stays
Review: Although the book is a bit dated, it provides children and their parents a simple and honest look at one little girl's hospital experience (in this case, tonsillectomy). The book has a very brief story for children and guidelines for parents to help their children express and accept their fears and worries about upcoming procedures. What I like most about this book was that the little girl did not "enjoy" her stay (there is a list of all the things she does not like), but at the end, she is "fine" although the book recognizes the possibility of lasting trauma (her doll continues to have "operations"). I'm not sure just which book the other reviewer read, but my daughter and I have found this book to be very helpful in providing the space for my daughter to verbalize her fears about her upcoming surgery. And given the paucity of children's books about surgery, I wouldn't pass this one up if your child faces an operation.
Rating: 
Summary: AN ASININE BOOK
Review: Although this is called an open family book and the photographs would certainly lead one to believe that is what the author intended, it falls far short of that goal. The author appears to lack empathy for the trauma that is so often associated with being hospitalized. He fails to realize that surgery is not the only reason for a child to be admitted and that the whole idea of hospitals can be terrifying to children (and adults). Fear of hospitals is not uncommon at any age and his book fails to offer any insights. It is just a tired rehashing of what has been said time and again. To add further insult to further injury, he tries to make staying in a hospital sound like a holiday when in truth it is more often than not a horrendous experience. This book really doesn't deserve any stars.
Rating:
Summary: NOT GOOD
Review: It is surprising that one could praise this book. Being dated is the least of its shortcomings. It is cluttered with a "parent section" as well as the main text sharing the pages. Naturally the little girl didn't like being in the hospital! It would be stupid and unrealistic to expect that she would! It was also stupid to try to make staying in the hospital sound like it might be fun when in truth there is nothing fun about hospitals. This book is written in a rather condescending way and is generally not good. It really deserves no stars at all. There are other books that help prepare children for surgery that are actually good, but this isn't one of them.
Rating:
Summary: NOT GOOD
Review: It is surprising that one could praise this book. Being dated is the least of its shortcomings. It is cluttered with a "parent section" as well as the main text sharing the pages. Naturally the little girl didn't like being in the hospital! It would be stupid and unrealistic to expect that she would! It was also stupid to try to make staying in the hospital sound like it might be fun when in truth there is nothing fun about hospitals. This book is written in a rather condescending way and is generally not good. It really deserves no stars at all. There are other books that help prepare children for surgery that are actually good, but this isn't one of them.
Rating: 
Summary: A Timeless Book for Parent and Child
Review: With this book, my sister taught me to read at age 4. I am 22 now, and never forgot what it taught me, or how it helped me with my fear of hospitals. Within a year of completing the book (and learning to read!) I was attacked by a dog that dragged me through the yard by my face. This led me to a most dreaded place - the Hospital. A place which had terrified me to tears, even with a check-up or regular shot. I was still uneasy as well as terribly unhappy about being there.... But that book helped me realize that the people there intended to help me, not hurt me.... They work to take that pain away. I am dissapointed in the disgruntled reviews... and being that I was a child this book was read to I can speak better than anyone about how it affects a child. It sparked my compassion and concern for other people that have been hurt or handicapped, allowed me the dialogue with my mother and sister to express my fears and reservations, and the parent reading alongside the story in fine print helped my mother better explain to me the stitches on my face and head, and about the scars I would have....what the doctors would do to try and fix it like it was never there. This book is a thing I have cherished throughout my life, and I still have that very book this day - so when I have my own children I may read it with them as well. If your child has a fear of hospitals, doctors, blood, getting shots.... read this book WITH him or her. It will encourage a closer more open relationship with your child, as well as the other wonderful books in this series.... they help children understand handicaps and even death.... by opening the doors to such emotional and curious things at a young age - they will never lose the ability to confide in you, approach you, or express themselves openly and honestly with you... a trusting bond such as this can never be broken. I suggest this book to anyone, regardless if your child is expecting surgery or not, as well as the other books in the series.... the very best books to read with your children, to teach them understanding and compassion for all living things.
Rating:
Summary: A Timeless Book for Parent and Child
Review: With this book, my sister taught me to read at age 4. I am 22 now, and never forgot what it taught me, or how it helped me with my fear of hospitals. Within a year of completing the book (and learning to read!) I was attacked by a dog that dragged me through the yard by my face. This led me to a most dreaded place - the Hospital. A place which had terrified me to tears, even with a check-up or regular shot. I was still uneasy as well as terribly unhappy about being there.... But that book helped me realize that the people there intended to help me, not hurt me.... They work to take that pain away. I am dissapointed in the disgruntled reviews... and being that I was a child this book was read to I can speak better than anyone about how it affects a child. It sparked my compassion and concern for other people that have been hurt or handicapped, allowed me the dialogue with my mother and sister to express my fears and reservations, and the parent reading alongside the story in fine print helped my mother better explain to me the stitches on my face and head, and about the scars I would have....what the doctors would do to try and fix it like it was never there. This book is a thing I have cherished throughout my life, and I still have that very book this day - so when I have my own children I may read it with them as well. If your child has a fear of hospitals, doctors, blood, getting shots.... read this book WITH him or her. It will encourage a closer more open relationship with your child, as well as the other wonderful books in this series.... they help children understand handicaps and even death.... by opening the doors to such emotional and curious things at a young age - they will never lose the ability to confide in you, approach you, or express themselves openly and honestly with you... a trusting bond such as this can never be broken. I suggest this book to anyone, regardless if your child is expecting surgery or not, as well as the other books in the series.... the very best books to read with your children, to teach them understanding and compassion for all living things.
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