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Books I Love to Read to my Young Patients 😊
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items Here are great children’s books that I personally love as a nurse that I often keep on hand to comfort, distract, or inspire young patients. These books are warm, calming, and perfect for hospital or clinic settings. Would definitely recommend these ...
Summary: A zookeeper who always cares for his animals gets sick, and the animals come care for him instead.
Why it’s great for my patients: Gentle, sweet story showing compassion and care. A great hospital read!
A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Caldecott Medal)
Summary: Franklin needs an operation and learns step-by-step what to expect.
Why it’s great for my patients: Perfect for kids facing surgery or unfamiliar procedures!
Franklin Goes to the Hospital by Bourgeois
Summary: A tiny caterpillar eats his way through different foods every day until he builds a cocoon and transforms into a beautiful butterfly.
Why it’s great for my young patients: Bright pictures, simple text, and the message of growth and hope.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Summary: A repeating, rhythmic story where different animals describe what they see next, ending with a class of children.
Why it’s great for my young patients: Predictable and soothing and perfect for anxious or very young kids.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Summary: Max, sent to his room for misbehaving, imagines sailing away to a land of Wild Things, where he becomes their king. Eventually he realizes he misses home and returns to find his dinner waiting.
Why it’s great for my young patients: Helps kid...
Where the Wild Things Are: Maurice Sendak ...
Summary: A motivational journey through ups and downs, teaching kids that they’ll face challenges but can still succeed.
Why it’s great for my young patients: Encouraging for kids undergoing medical treatments.
Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Summary: A gentle bedtime story that says goodnight to everything in the room, slowly winding down to peaceful rest.
Why it’s great for my patients: Calming for kids feeling scared, restless, or unable to sleep.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Summary: A gloomy fish believes he’s meant to spread “dreary-wearies”, until someone shows him that he can share love instead.
Why it’s great for my patients: Fun to read aloud and helps kids shift a sad or anxious mood.
The Pout-Pout Fish by Diesen & Hanna
Summary: CJ and his grandmother ride the bus through their city, noticing beauty in unexpected places and learning gratitude.
Why it’s great for my patients: Offers warmth, perspective, and a comforting grandmother-like voice.
Last Stop on Market Street by de la Peña & Robinson
Summary: A beautiful fish learns that sharing his sparkly scales brings him more joy than keeping them all to himself.
Why it’s great: Teaches kindness, sharing, and community. Great for anxious young patients.
The Rainbow Fish: Pfister, Marcus: 9781558580091
Summary: Dragons love tacos but spicy salsa leads to chaos and fire-filled silliness.
Why it’s great for my patients: Light, funny, and an excellent distraction for nervous or bored kids.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin & Salmieri
Summary: A celebration of confidence, self-worth, and embracing who you are.
Why it’s great for my patients: Encouraging for kids dealing with body changes, medical challenges, or insecurity.
I Am Enough: #1 NYT Bestseller from Empire Actor
Summary: Brother and Sister Bear go for a checkup and learn that shots and exams aren’t as scary as they imagined.
Why it’s great for my patients: Makes medical visits feel normal and safe.
The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor
Summary: Gerald the giraffe wants to dance but feels awkward and out of place. With encouragement and a little self-belief, he finds his own rhythm.
Why it’s great: Helps kids feel confident and reminds them they can do things in their own way and at...
Giraffes Can't Dance by Andreae & Parker-Rees
Summary: A friendly witch and her cat ride on a broomstick, helping several animals along the way until the broom breaks during an encounter with a dragon.
Why it’s great: Fun rhyming story with teamwork, kindness, and a little humor to distract nerv...
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson