Book Description: Harry gets sick and he has to go to the hospital. But he's never been there and he's scared! There are lots of new people, he gets poked with needles, and he has to stay the night in a strange place. But with his parents' comfort and the help of lots of doctors, nurses, and especially his stuffed rabbit Barney, Harry learns that the hospital doesn't have to be a big, scary place. This book is an excellent resource for demystifying the hospital experience. Ideally, parents or guardians will read this book in advance of a hospital visit so that their child will be prepared for some of the sights, sounds, and procedures that they may encounter at the hospital. One of the strengths of this book is that it does not gloss over Harry's other negative emotions: he shows irritation with the doctors and resists giving blood because he is tired. Some books validate children experiencing feelings of fear in a health care setting but do not tackle other emotions such as being overwhelmed by the array of new people and an unwillingness to be compliant: Harry Goes to the Hospital recognises that these are normal reactions and should be explored. The detailed drawings complement the text well, particularly the image depicting the busy emergency room and its intimidating array of machinery. Experiences including a CAT scan, having an IV inserted, and doing play therapy with a child life specialist are all covered. This book also includes a Note for Parents at the back which helps parents to use this book as a tool, exploring different ways in which it can help allay children's fears and responses to medical settings. Colour picturebook with text.

Audience: Child 4-8 years; Adult caregiver

Interest age level : Ages 4-8.