Review by Booklist Review
Aiming to inoculate children against doctor's-office dread, this picture book offers vocabulary words arranged from A to Z and bright scenes of children (some smiling, some stoic) interacting with medical professionals. Each entry comes with a brief explanation, which often extends beyond a strict definition: n for nurse explains that sometimes it's the nurse who gives you a shot. The book's friendly tone and inviting artwork may reassure youngsters, but the format is less than ideal, offering a scattershot mix of genuinely useful words and some, like knee brace, that merely fulfill the alphabetical requirements. Moreover, the text and mixed-media illustrations don't always work hand in hand; while the artwork accompanying germs hints at transmission from touching and sneezing, the facts never address how microorganisms might spread. But given the highly charged emotions surrounding the topic, and the dearth of picture books that depict contemporary doctor's appointments (the thermometer is digital, not mercury-filled), many adults will want to add this to their waiting-room arsenal. --Jennifer Mattson Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-The basics of seeing a doctor and/or nurse are adequately explained with clever, colorful collage illustrations setting the scene and clarifying the explanation. "A is for appointment," "B is for bandage," and "C is for checkup." Some medical tools are included. Physical conditions such as fever and vomit appear, and procedures such as a urine sample and X-ray take readers through the alphabet. Murphy has compiled an interesting array of terms to help children realize that medical professionals are there to help them. "There's no reason to keep feeling yucky when all you have to do is see the doctor to feel-A zillion times better!"-Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This alphabet book highlights one medicine-related word per letter, including short paragraphs to describe each. Most of the explanations are easy to understand, but there are some missed opportunities (why not include the g word germs on the facing hand hygiene page?) The childlike mixed-media collage illustrations show patients and health-care workers of different ethnicities performing various duties. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A straightforward alphabet book introduces each letter and pairs it with a medical term. Murphy features a wide range of medical terms--reviewed by an M.D.--ranging from "joint" to "otoscope," and includes a short sentence or two of further explanation. While aiming to keep kids "staying healthy from A to Z," letter pairings also include subjects like "hand hygiene" that gently encourage good health habits and succeed in not straying into didacticism. Funky, colorful mixed-media illustrations add texture and humor without diminishing the importance of the topics. Some readers may want to take an up-close look at the several imbedded illustrations, like the vintage anatomical diagrams. The illustrations also shed light on some of the routine practices of a check-up, and so for young readers nervous about doctor appointments, this text might just be the thing for what ails them. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
