MANAGEMENT
Children’s Books for the Doctor’s
Waiting Room Some Titles Suitable for Preschoolers and Primary Grades
Youngsters in
Anne Holt, B.A., M.S.*
BARENTS
AND CHILDREN often have to in the doctor’s waiting room. time spend Adults can usually amuse themselves, but what about those wiggly siblings who must wait while the doctor examines brother Jimmy? How can we keep them occupied? Books are the answer. Books offer amusement, enlightenment and sheer joy. Through the guise of a storybook character, a book can help a child to cope with his own problems. Books can help further communication between parents and children, too. In the quiet, neutral setting of the doctor’s waiting room, a mother and child can enjoy a book together without interruption. And books can help a parent explain subjects that might otherwise be difficult or awkward like adoption, anger, the arrival of a new baby and the possible jealousy that may ensue, sex, death, and the
hospital experience. The following books on these topics are suitable for use with preschool through primary-aged children. Many are also available in paperback, though prices given are for hardbacks.
Adoption l am
Adopted, by
Susan
Lapsley (Bradbury
Press, 19’75, 4.95). Soft watercolor illustrations and simple text show two adopted children enChildren’s Librarian,
Seattle, Washington.
Correspondence Seattle, WA 98103.
to:
King County Library System, Anne Holt,
7726 Bagley N.,
gaged in everyday activities in a warm environment. After all, &dquo;adoption
family means
belonging.&dquo; Anger It has been said that humor is often the best especially when dealing with anger. Some books that examine the subject in story form are: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (Aladdan, 1972, $6.95); 1 Do Not Like 1t When My Friend Comes to Visit by Ivan Sherman (Harcourt, Brace, 1973, $6.25); and The Temper Tantrum Book by Edna Preston (Viking, 197 1,
medicine
paperback $1.25~. New
Baby
The arrival of a new baby can precipitate feelings of jealousy, frustration and inadequacy in the older child. Some books that deal with this subject in story form are: Baby Sitter for Frances by R.ussell Hoban (Harper and Row, 1964, $3.95); Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats (Harper and Row, 1967, $5.95); Knee Baby by Mary Jarrell (Farrar, Strauss, 1973, $5.95); and Moon Walker by Paul Showers (Doubleday, 1975, $4.95).
Sex The child’s own body is a source of interest to him. Bodies by Barbara Brenner (Dutton, 1973, $6.95) is a good introduction as is the author’s Faces (Dutton, 1970, $5.95). Both
766
Downloaded from cpj.sagepub.com at Purdue University on April 13, 2015
books make
use
of black-and-white
graphs. Explaining sex to children can be made easier by books. How Babies Are Made by Steven Schepp (Time-Life, 1968, $5.95) is illustrated with cut paper pictures that progress from the animals to the people. Where Did I Come From?; the facts of life without any nonsense and with illustrations by Peter Mayle (Stuart, 1973, $7.95) is a straightforward presentation of the facts with a touch of humor. Where Do Babies Come From? by Margaret Sheffield (Knopf, 1973, $4.95) was first prepared as a BBC program. It is illustrated with full color paintings.
This is another subject difficult to discuss, especially with young children. About Dying by
Sarah B. Stein (Walker, 1974, $4.50) is designed to help the adult with this special task. Illustrated with photographs, it has one text for parents and a larger text to be shared with a child. In similar format, the author’s About Handicap (Walker, 1974, $4.50) introduces Matthew to Joe who is handicapped. Part of the Open Family Book Series, both books were prepared in cooperation with psychiatrists and educators. One of the most sensitive, understated treatments of death is Miska Miles’ Annie an the Old One (Little, 1971, $5.95) about a young Navajo girl and her aging grandmother. The sun comes up over the Navajo world and then it sets. The cactus does not bloom forever. The Old One knows these tiings and she is able to make Annie understand, too. My Grandson Zez.v by Charlotte Zolotow (Harper and Row, 1974, $4.95) is a sensitive book about a boy who remembers his grandfather who died when he was young, and Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie de Paola (Putnam, 1973, $4.95) has both a grandmother and a great grandmother in the same house.
Hospitalization can be frightening what to expect. know who not child does Some n~nfiction books on the subject are: My Doctor by Harlow Rockwell (Macmillan, 1973, $4.95) which shows a young boy going for his regular checkup to his doctor, a woman;
A
hospital experience
tonsils ‘
out.
One of the classics of children’s literature,
Madeline, by Ludwig Bemelmans (Viking, 1939, $5.95) also deals with a hospital experiMadeline is an independent young girl in a Parisian boarding school who must go to the hospital for an appendicitis. ence.
The
Joy
c~f
Living
finally, besides dealing with problem subjects, books express the joy of life, arouse a child’s curiosity about his world, and teach him to appreciate art and the written word. And
Death
to a
My Dentist by the same author (Morrow, 19975, $6.95); A1.yFriendthe Dentist by Jane Werner Watson (Western, 1972, $1.95); and What Happens When You Go to the Hospital by Arthur Shay (Reilly and Lee, 1969, $5.95) which shows Karen going to the hospital to have her
photo-
are a few: Bfian Wildsmith’s Mother Goose (Watts, 1965, $6.90) is a collection of traditional nursery rhymes illustrated with bright watercolors by the British author-artist.
Here
‘
Leo Lionni (Astor-Honor, an inchworm proves himself useful by measuring the other birds, but how can he measure the nightin-
Inch
by
Inch
by
1960, $4.95). In this story,
gale’s song?
Robert Kraus and Jose Aruego (Dutton, 1971, $5.95). Leo the tiger can’t seem to do anything right. Then in his own time, he blooms. Richard Scarry’s Busiest People Ever (Random House, 1976, $3.95) shows detailed illustrations of busy workers in an airport, harbor, television studio and elsewhere. The T~ery’ Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (Collins-World, 1970, $4.91) is a perennial favorite. The plot, as old as nature itself, tells of the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. The bold, bright illustrations appeal to the youngest children. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (Harper and Row, 1963, $4.95). Max becomes king of the wild things in this highly imaginative picture book. These are just a few of the many children’s books that can help make waiting in the doctor’s office a pleasurable experience for both parents and children. Leo the Late Bloomer
by
’
Ms. Holt will keep
our readers informed on quality children’s — EDITOR. future memoranda of this type
books and magazines in
767
Downloaded from cpj.sagepub.com at Purdue University on April 13, 2015
Children’s Books for the Doctor’s
Waiting Room Some Titles Suitable for Preschoolers and Primary Grades
Youngsters in
Anne Holt, B.A., M.S.*
BARENTS
AND CHILDREN often have to in the doctor’s waiting room. time spend Adults can usually amuse themselves, but what about those wiggly siblings who must wait while the doctor examines brother Jimmy? How can we keep them occupied? Books are the answer. Books offer amusement, enlightenment and sheer joy. Through the guise of a storybook character, a book can help a child to cope with his own problems. Books can help further communication between parents and children, too. In the quiet, neutral setting of the doctor’s waiting room, a mother and child can enjoy a book together without interruption. And books can help a parent explain subjects that might otherwise be difficult or awkward like adoption, anger, the arrival of a new baby and the possible jealousy that may ensue, sex, death, and the
hospital experience. The following books on these topics are suitable for use with preschool through primary-aged children. Many are also available in paperback, though prices given are for hardbacks.
Adoption l am
Adopted, by
Susan
Lapsley (Bradbury
Press, 19’75, 4.95). Soft watercolor illustrations and simple text show two adopted children enChildren’s Librarian,
Seattle, Washington.
Correspondence Seattle, WA 98103.
to:
King County Library System, Anne Holt,
7726 Bagley N.,
gaged in everyday activities in a warm environment. After all, &dquo;adoption
family means
belonging.&dquo; Anger It has been said that humor is often the best especially when dealing with anger. Some books that examine the subject in story form are: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (Aladdan, 1972, $6.95); 1 Do Not Like 1t When My Friend Comes to Visit by Ivan Sherman (Harcourt, Brace, 1973, $6.25); and The Temper Tantrum Book by Edna Preston (Viking, 197 1,
medicine
paperback $1.25~. New
Baby
The arrival of a new baby can precipitate feelings of jealousy, frustration and inadequacy in the older child. Some books that deal with this subject in story form are: Baby Sitter for Frances by R.ussell Hoban (Harper and Row, 1964, $3.95); Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats (Harper and Row, 1967, $5.95); Knee Baby by Mary Jarrell (Farrar, Strauss, 1973, $5.95); and Moon Walker by Paul Showers (Doubleday, 1975, $4.95).
Sex The child’s own body is a source of interest to him. Bodies by Barbara Brenner (Dutton, 1973, $6.95) is a good introduction as is the author’s Faces (Dutton, 1970, $5.95). Both
766
Downloaded from cpj.sagepub.com at Purdue University on April 13, 2015
books make
use
of black-and-white
graphs. Explaining sex to children can be made easier by books. How Babies Are Made by Steven Schepp (Time-Life, 1968, $5.95) is illustrated with cut paper pictures that progress from the animals to the people. Where Did I Come From?; the facts of life without any nonsense and with illustrations by Peter Mayle (Stuart, 1973, $7.95) is a straightforward presentation of the facts with a touch of humor. Where Do Babies Come From? by Margaret Sheffield (Knopf, 1973, $4.95) was first prepared as a BBC program. It is illustrated with full color paintings.
This is another subject difficult to discuss, especially with young children. About Dying by
Sarah B. Stein (Walker, 1974, $4.50) is designed to help the adult with this special task. Illustrated with photographs, it has one text for parents and a larger text to be shared with a child. In similar format, the author’s About Handicap (Walker, 1974, $4.50) introduces Matthew to Joe who is handicapped. Part of the Open Family Book Series, both books were prepared in cooperation with psychiatrists and educators. One of the most sensitive, understated treatments of death is Miska Miles’ Annie an the Old One (Little, 1971, $5.95) about a young Navajo girl and her aging grandmother. The sun comes up over the Navajo world and then it sets. The cactus does not bloom forever. The Old One knows these tiings and she is able to make Annie understand, too. My Grandson Zez.v by Charlotte Zolotow (Harper and Row, 1974, $4.95) is a sensitive book about a boy who remembers his grandfather who died when he was young, and Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie de Paola (Putnam, 1973, $4.95) has both a grandmother and a great grandmother in the same house.
Hospitalization can be frightening what to expect. know who not child does Some n~nfiction books on the subject are: My Doctor by Harlow Rockwell (Macmillan, 1973, $4.95) which shows a young boy going for his regular checkup to his doctor, a woman;
A
hospital experience
tonsils ‘
out.
One of the classics of children’s literature,
Madeline, by Ludwig Bemelmans (Viking, 1939, $5.95) also deals with a hospital experiMadeline is an independent young girl in a Parisian boarding school who must go to the hospital for an appendicitis. ence.
The
Joy
c~f
Living
finally, besides dealing with problem subjects, books express the joy of life, arouse a child’s curiosity about his world, and teach him to appreciate art and the written word. And
Death
to a
My Dentist by the same author (Morrow, 19975, $6.95); A1.yFriendthe Dentist by Jane Werner Watson (Western, 1972, $1.95); and What Happens When You Go to the Hospital by Arthur Shay (Reilly and Lee, 1969, $5.95) which shows Karen going to the hospital to have her
photo-
are a few: Bfian Wildsmith’s Mother Goose (Watts, 1965, $6.90) is a collection of traditional nursery rhymes illustrated with bright watercolors by the British author-artist.
Here
‘
Leo Lionni (Astor-Honor, an inchworm proves himself useful by measuring the other birds, but how can he measure the nightin-
Inch
by
Inch
by
1960, $4.95). In this story,
gale’s song?
Robert Kraus and Jose Aruego (Dutton, 1971, $5.95). Leo the tiger can’t seem to do anything right. Then in his own time, he blooms. Richard Scarry’s Busiest People Ever (Random House, 1976, $3.95) shows detailed illustrations of busy workers in an airport, harbor, television studio and elsewhere. The T~ery’ Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (Collins-World, 1970, $4.91) is a perennial favorite. The plot, as old as nature itself, tells of the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. The bold, bright illustrations appeal to the youngest children. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (Harper and Row, 1963, $4.95). Max becomes king of the wild things in this highly imaginative picture book. These are just a few of the many children’s books that can help make waiting in the doctor’s office a pleasurable experience for both parents and children. Leo the Late Bloomer
by
’
Ms. Holt will keep
our readers informed on quality children’s — EDITOR. future memoranda of this type
books and magazines in
767
Downloaded from cpj.sagepub.com at Purdue University on April 13, 2015
