The Higgily Hospital

By Dr. Tyler Robinson

Genre: Children

Pages: 24

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, Mom and Dad and other grown-ups. ‘Fess up. How many times have you wished you had an informative but low-key and highly readable resource to grab during that mad dash to the E.R. with a sick or injured kiddo?

Well, pardner. Wait no more. Cuz that resource is here in The Higgily Hospital. 

And you don’t have to be a ‘brain surgeon’ to figure this one out. None of that ‘doctorese’ or medical mumbo-jumbo here. Nope. This is an honest, easy-to-read and soothing resources for little ones. And big people, too. Like this:

Hospitals can be scary even for adults. But for little ones, hospitals can be truly frightening, not to mention intimidating. Written by a doctor, this brief picture book aims to take some of the mystery, fear, and anxiety out of a visit to the hospital for little ones. It succeeds. In spades. As young readers turn pages, they join Dr. Tiggily Ty and Dr. Siggily Si for a guided tour through different parts of a hospital while the doctors take care of children who need them.

Questions like what’s in a hospital? What happens there? Who works in hospital? What do they do and why? are explained in The Higgily Hospital. Author Dr. Tyler Robinson teams up with illustrator Nate Jensen to tackle all of the above and more in this charming and easy to understand children’s book.

Caring and Careful

With great sensitivity and sagacity, author and doctor Tyler Robinson carefully explains what different people do in a hospital and why, in ways that young children can understand. Along the way, readers are introduced to a wide variety of hospital workers. This includes nurses, radiology technologists, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, and patient transporters. The text emphasizes that all these people work together as a team toward one main goal: Getting you well and helping you feel better!

It’s brilliant.

Bright and Colorful

Speaking of brilliant, don’t miss Nate Jensen’s terrific illustrations. Bright and colorful, they suggest motion and action and beautifully complement the text. The drawing of the body as an “amazing machine” is pitch-perfect. But when it’s not working right, explains the text, your body may need a poke from a needle, an X-Ray, surgery, or another procedure to help you get well.

No, it’s not fun to be in the hospital. But remember: From the Administration to the CT Scanner to the Outpatient Clinic to Radiology to the Lobby and more, you’re in good hands at Higgily Hospital, where everyone is working toward helping you feel better! (Yea, team!)

This book is sheer genius! Its pages are saturated with warmth, compassion, and understanding. The story is also gentle. It helps take some of the mystery and uncertainty out of what can be a frightening and stressful experience for little ones.

Treasure

Thoughtful, articulate, and easy to read, The Higgily Hospital introduces young readers to a hospital in language they can understand and relate to. It’s like having a treasured stuffed animal, a favorite blanket, or another beloved item along to help soothe young nerves and reduce fears.

Mom LOVED this book! Kimber: Okay, okay. So  The Higgily Hospital isn’t quite a trip to Dr. Dan’s office. My favorite vet. Cuz he gives me yummy treats and says, “KIMBER!!!” With big smiley eyes. Nobody’s perfect.

A Keeper

But this book will appeal to its target audience of young elementary-aged readers and those who love them. It would make a good read-aloud as well as a welcome addition to a pediatrician’s office or an E.R. lobby. So if you or someone you know has little ones, grab a copy now. This one’s a keeper!

Well. Maybe not as much of a keeper as your favorite furry friend and mine. But hey again! Nobody’s perfect. Except, of course:

Our Rating: 5.0

***

Tyler Robinson is a practicing general surgeon in Sacramento, California, with training in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. He earned his MD from Boston University School of Medicine and an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health, and completed residency at Albany Medical Center and fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University.