Visits to the doctor can sometimes cause stress and anxiety for kids. Check out these books to ease your child’s fears, laugh in the waiting room, and help them discover what they might want to become someday.
I Want to Be a Doctor
by Laura Driscoll; illustrated by Catalina Echeverri (HarperCollins, 2018)
When a little boy’s brother falls off the top bunk and breaks his foot, the family visits the emergency room. The boy learns that there are doctors just for bones, but also many other types. “This title looks at specific positions in the field as opposed to the general look often represented in this genre,” says Warren Shanks, children’s librarian at Denver Public Library. “A glossary rounds out the book offering additional explanations about various careers.”
Open Wide, Tooth School Inside
by Laurie Keller (Square Fish, 2003)
Dr. Flossman starts “class” by taking attendance of all his “students”: All eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and 12 molars are present. The school day continues and Flossman teaches readers about care and components of teeth, with plenty of humorous details woven throughout.
Calling Dr. Zaza
by Mylo Freeman (Clavis Publishing, 2018)
Recommended by the Denver Public Library, this story follows Zaza, who gives her stuffed animal friends check-ups when they aren’t feeling up to playing. Young readers will get an idea of what to expect during a doctor’s visit, while getting inspiration for imaginary play at home.
You’re in Good Paws
by Maureen Fergus; illustrated by Kathryn Durst (Tundra Books, 2019)
Leo arrives at the hospital to get his tonsils taken out and finds it run by animals, in this story suggested by Boulder Public Library librarians. Kids will laugh at a variety of animals taking on human jobs, while learning that going to the hospital can be a positive experience.
Dr. Fauci
by Kate Messner; illustrated by Alexandra Bye (Simon and Schuster, 2021)
Before Dr. Anthony Fauci became the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he was a curious boy from Brooklyn who delivered prescriptions for his father’s pharmacy. This true story documents Dr. Fauci’s childhood, education, and medical career marked by the values of curiosity, perseverance, and learning to get along with different kinds of people.
Peppa Loves Doctors and Nurses
by Lauren Holowaty; illustrated by EOne (Scholastic Inc., 2020)
Based on the Nick Jr! television show, Dr. Brown Bear and Nurse Fox visit Peppa Pig’s classrooms and teach the children all the ways they can stay healthy. The book comes with a handwashing poster you can hang up at home.
Librarians and book experts also recommend:
- Leo Gets a Checkup by Anna McQuinn; illustrated by Ruth Hearson
- Who Needs a Check Up? by Norm Feuti
- Maud the Koala in Fish are Not Afraid of Doctors by J.E. Morris
- Eat Your Rocks, Croc! by Jess Keating; illustrated by Pete Oswald
- Future Doctor (A Future Baby Book) by Lori Alexander; illustrated by Allison Black
- How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen; illustrated by Mark Teague
- Get Well, Crabby! by Jonathan Fenske
- Franklin Goes to the Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois; illustrated by Brenda Clark
- Pout-Pout Fish Goes to the Doctor by Deborah Diesen; illustrated by Dan Hanna
- (Not) Scary Stuff at the Doctor’s Office by Tana Holmes; illustrated by Mahfuja Selim
- Visit the Doctor! by Katie Marsico
- A Visit to The Doctor’s Office by Blake A. Hoena
- Doctor (Busy People series) by Lucy M. George; illustrated by AndoTwin
- Dora Goes to the Doctor by Ellen Rosebrough; illustrated by Bob Roper
- The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Pete the Kitty Goes to the Doctor by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
I Want to Be a Doctor: HarperCollins. Open Wide, Tooth School Inside: Macmillan. Calling Dr. Zaza: Clavis Publishing. You’re in Good Paws: Penguin Random House. Dr. Fauci: Simon and Schuster. Peppa Loves Doctors and Nurses: Scholastic Inc. Background: Kittichai Boonpong/EyeEm/Getty Images.
