Maw Books Blog

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I hope nobody ever has to go through the realization that the bottle that your 2 1/2 year old is gulping down is paint cleaner! Because trust me, it’s pure panic. That’s exactly what I caught my little guy doing. As soon as I grabbed the bottle from him, he realized that the taste nor the burn was to his liking and he went livid. Spewing, heaving, throwing up everywhere, and crying. I grabbed both kids, the bottle, ran into the house, threw the baby into the crib and ran to call poison control. Trying to hold a obviously irate toddler over the kitchen sink, keep my cool (I’m scared to death!) and try to hear the menu options (menu options, give me a break!) from poison control is nearly impossible. I couldn’t hear a thing so I called 911 instead.

Needless to say, within minutes we had the paramedics in the house and we were rushing my little guy to the ER. Apparently, the paint cleaner that he drank got into his lungs, so the greatest risk was his trouble breathing. We got to take another ambulance ride to the children’s hospital where they kept him overnight for observation. It was a long rough night of a lot of hand holding, rocking, and every once in a while getting some shut eye. We’re home now, and the little guy is downstairs with Daddy and little brother watching Thomas the Train. He’s still running a fever and is very agitated at the smallest things.

Speaking of his little brother, wow, I hope everybody has neighbors as nice as mine! The paramedics could hear another baby in the house and said, “We’re loading up right now, you need to find somebody NOW to take your baby.” At that moment, I happened to glance out the front window and our next door neighbor and his teenage son was watching all the activity. I scooped the baby out of the crib, ran across the street, and practically shoved him into his arms. I didn’t even ask if he could actually watch him, said I’d try to call a friend to pick him up. Thank goodness he said absolutely, not a problem. So just like that, in two seconds flat, he was handed off. Anyways, by the time the night was over he’d been to three different neighbors houses, spent the night with one of them, and my sister watched him today. And the neighbors sent over our dinner tonight, plus one promised for tomorrow. They are AWESOME! So thank you.

Remember this post where I said he could get into trouble in no time flat? Seems that I shouldn’t say stuff like that or it will happen! What a week! Since I’ve been away from a computer, I much behind on my blog visiting and responding to inquiries about my Stephenie Meyer giveaway. And even my reading. Reading wise, it’s been my slowest month all year. I hope to catch up this last week. Honestly, I just want to sleep (EDITED TO ADD: I did fall asleep while typing this out. Now it’s being a posted a day later than I wanted. I suppose I should follow my own blogging tips and have a post saved for a rainy day, or in this case, a sick day).

But in honor of our little adventure (and I always bring things back around to books) following is a book recommendation list about visiting the hospital or doctor. If children know what to expect when visiting the doctor, it takes out a lot of the fear and apprehension they may have.

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Curious George Goes to the Hospital by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey

Publisher synopsis: Readers learn all about the hospital as George goes in for an operation to remove a puzzle piece he has eaten. Ages 4-8

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The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Dr. Grizzly gives the Berenstain cubs a regular checkup. Ages 4-8.

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Clifford Visits the Hospital by Norman Bridwell

The sign says “No Dogs Allowed!” Despite the rules, Clifford the small red puppy visits the hospital, cheers up the patients, and gets into all kinds of mischief. Ages 4-8.

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Do I Have to Go to the Hospital?: A First Look at Going To the Hospital by Pat Thomas

From Amazon: Books in the popular and growing A First Look At series speak directly to preschool and early-grades kids, encouraging them to explore their feelings and talk to trusted elders about things that bother them. These titles also give them a start in developing basic social skills, as well as explain things that might otherwise make kids anxious. The books are filled with child-friendly color illustrations and easy-to-understand text. This reassuring book helps kids understand that sometimes, when they are sick, it is best that they go to a hospital. They can make new friends, have visitors, get special care from doctors and nurses—and best of all, get well again. Ages 4-8.

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Say Ahhh!”: Dora Goes to the Doctor by Phoebe Beinstein & A&J Studios

From Amazon: Dora and her Mami are going to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor listens to her heartbeat, weighs and measures her and looks in her eyes, ears and throat. At the end, Dora gets a special treat from the doctor. This first experience 8 x 8 story is sure to be a hit with Dora fans who may feel a little nervous about going to the doctor. Ages 9-12

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Franklin Goes To The Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark

Franklin’s shell has cracked, and he needs to be a brave turtle when it’s time to go to the hospital. Ages 4-8.

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Gaspard in the Hospital by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
From the publisher: Gaspard the Dog Walker buys a shiny new race-car key chain with the money he earns walking dogs. When his classmates admire his treasure, Gaspard panics thinking that someone will try to steal it and–oh, no!–swallows his new key chain. Suddenly he doesn’t feel so well. Gaspard goes to the hospital, where he meets the friendly doctors and nurses who make him feel better. Ages 4-8.

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Harry Goes to the Hospital: A Story for Children About What It’s Like to Be in the Hospital by Howard J., M.D. Bennett and M.S. Weber

Addresses what children experience during a hospital stay and how they feel about it. Topics include confusion with so many new people, having to stay in bed for hours, funny smells, stinging needles, and homesickness

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I Don’t Want to Go to Hospital (A Little Princess Story) by Tony Ross

A little princess doesn’t want to go the the hospital. Ages 4-8

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Kevin Goes to the Hospital by Liesbet Slegers

Explain, comfort and make less scary four important moments in a toddler’s life. Bold graphics, friendly faces and a toddler’s-eye view make Kevin a must for little ones just beginning to explore and understand their world. Baby-preschool age.

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My Trip to the Hospital (Little Critter) by Mercer Mayer

When Little Critter breaks his leg in a soccer game, he has to make his first trip to the hospital. Follow brave Little Critter as he rides in an ambulance, meets the doctor, and gets his first X-ray and his first cast. Ages 4-8.

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Maisy Goes to the Hospital by Lucy Cousins

From Amazon: One day as Maisy is bouncing on her trampoline, she bounces a LITTLE too high. Oh, no! What will happen after she falls and hurts her leg? Maisy’s friend Charley goes with her to the hospital, where X-rays, a cast, and an overnight stay ensue. Maisy feels strange to be away from home, but a friendly patient soon helps her feel better. Little readers will be relieved and intrigued to share a memorable — and perhaps familiar — experience with Maisy. Ages 4-8.

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Miffy in the Hospital by Dick Bruna

When a sore throat brings Miffy to the hospital, she quickly discovers it’s not as scary as she had feared. This gentle tale will be a comfort to any small child who dislikes being ill or visiting the doctor. Ages 4-8.

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Paddington Bear Goes to the Hospital by Michael Bond, Karen Jankel, R. W. Alley

From Amazon: Oh, no! Paddington Bear has hurt his arm, and he’s having trouble remembering just how it happened. The Browns are worried enough to take Paddington on his first trip to the hospital. From the moment he arrives on a stretcher with wheels, which he thinks is “very good value:’ to the end of his overnight stay, Paddington takes it all in with curiosity and wonderment … along with a little apprehension! But the kind nurses and doctors, and even the patients themselves, help Paddington see that the hospital isn’t as scary a place as it first seems. At the end of this gentle, reassuring story, Paddington’s arm is set straight and so is Paddington when he discovers that even the hospital food isn’t as bad as he thought it would be! Baby- preschool

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A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital by Sesame Street

“Grover, his mother, Ernie and Bert visit the Sesame Street Hospital in preparation for Grover’s upcoming tonsillectomy. The familiar characters change an unfamiliar hospital into a place to be trusted, and many typical questions are discussed. Valuable.”–School Library Journal. Ages 4-8

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SpongeBob Goes to the Doctor by Steven Banks

SpongeBob has come down with a bad case of the suds and he’s afraid to go to the doctor. But when being sick means having to miss a day of work at the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob must face his fear. Ages 4-8

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This Is a Hospital, Not a Zoo! by Roberta Karim

From Booklist: Filbert MacFee loves the magical animal crackers he receives as a gift in the hospital. They seem to come in particularly handy when it’s time for Nurse Beluga and her staff to poke and prod: it’s tough to treat a boy who has turned into a rhino, a penguin, or a giraffe. Karim’s goofy, fantastical story has sweet charm despite its somewhat tangled plotting, and it is a great vehicle for Truesdell’s funny, irresistible artwork, which pictures animals and humans alike leaping and cavorting across the pages.

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When You’re Sick or in the Hospital: Healing Help for Kids by Tom McGrath and R. W. Alley

An elf finds himself in the hospital.

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Support this blog (and my newfound bills) and start your Amazon shopping experience (from books, movies, shoes, and furniture) at Maw Books. Purchase any title by clicking on links, using the amazon widget in the right sidebar, or shop my Amazon store. Yep, this is my moment of shameless promotion.

And now I’m off to a visit with the pediatrician.