Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! It’s a little chilly in Nashville this week, so we started my daughter’s spring break by going to the Tennessee State Museum, which is free! My daughter power-walked through the entire museum in about 20 minutes, leaving little time for anyone to actually look at anything, lol. Thankfully they have a children’s playroom, too. I guess five is a little early to enjoy museums, but she still says she had fun and wants to go again. This week I’m reviewing books about one of my daughter’s current fascinations: hospitals. I also have three fantastic new releases.
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Bookish Goods
Being Adorable T-Shirt by JustinsShirtStore
Any other readers grow up with Richard Scarry books? The cats were my favorite, and I love this t-shirt. $27+
New Releases
The Yellow Handkerchief by Donna Barba Higuera, illustrated by Cynthia Alonso (picture book)
In this lovely picture book by the author of The Last Cuentista and El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!, a young girl, ashamed of how different her family is, decides she hates her abuela’s yellow handkerchief she wears all the time. However, when the narrator’s sister gets a cold and Abuela has to leave for a while, she finds she misses her grandmother. Thankfully, Abuela left her yellow handkerchief behind, and it helps the narrator get through their time apart.
The Bee Without Wings by Amberlea Williams (picture book)
In this adorable picture book, a young girl named Sasha finds a wingless bee and decides to help it. She and her cat Molly bring it back to health, though it will never have wings again, of course. She names the bee Bea and the three become fast friends. When Bea dies, Sasha decides to plant a bee-friendly garden in her honor.
The Hospital Book by Lisa Brown (picture book)
The family in The Airport Book reappears in Lisa Brown’s latest picture book, which follows a young girl through a hospital stay after a severe stomach ache. Framed by how many times she cries, the narrator describes her experiences in the waiting room, the initial check-in, an ultrasound, anesthesia, surgery, and more. It’s a really fascinating read for kids. I have the book memorized after having read it 20+ times with my daughter!
I also review Remember, My Powerful Hair, and Camp QUILTBAG in my March new release list for Book Riot’s website. For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
I’ve mentioned in the newsletter before that my grandmother fell and was hospitalized for a time. She’s doing better and is now living with my uncle, but her short time in the hospital set off an explosion of interest in my daughter. Shortly after Gigi was admitted, we fortuitously received The Hospital Book for review consideration, then I checked out dozens more hospital-themed children’s books from the library to feed my daughter’s interest. In addition to The Hospital Book, these are our favorites! Feel free to email me with more ideas if you have any favorites not mentioned here (email below).
The Hospital: The Inside Story by Dr. Christle Nwora, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu (nonfiction)
My personal favorite hospital book we’ve checked out is this very informative and accessible nonfiction by a doctor. Dr. Nwora takes readers on a tour of the hospital, from x-rays and the cafeteria, to intensive care units and giving birth. In each area, she highlights a human story, like a couple giving birth, or a child with a broken arm. It’s a really fascinating, comprehensive nonfiction.
I Want to Be Doctor by Laura Driscoll, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri (reader)
In this leveled reader, a girl accompanies her family to the emergency room after her brother leaps off of the top bunk of their bed and breaks his arm. There, she meets many doctors and learns there are a lot of different kinds. This is a great way for kids to learn more about doctors.
Owl Diaries: Get Well, Eva! by Rebecca Elliott (chapter book)
I love it when a favorite series covers a current topic of interest. My daughter literally screamed in delight when we found an Owl Diaries book where Eva visits the hospital! Eva injures her wing while playing wingball, and has to go to the hospital. There, she meets another juvenile owl patient from another town and the two become fast friends. Meanwhile, the local carnival is beginning, and Eva is worried about whether or not she and the other owls in the hospital will be able to attend. This illustrated chapter book is as charming and entertaining as the rest of the series.
As part of our hospital pretend play, we set up a pretend x-ray using a light-up drawing pad. This is an x-ray my daughter drew of Doc McStuffins. I am very impressed by her attention to detail!
If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, and blog irregularly at Baby Librarians. You can also read my Book Riot posts. If you’d like to drop me a line, my email is kingsbury.margaret@gmail.com.
Until next Tuesday!
Margaret Kingsbury