Going To The Doctor [Hardcover]

T. Berry Brazelton (Author)

Book Description

A lifetime of listening and caring has given Dr. T. Berry Brazelton unique empathy for his young patients. In this warm, delightful book, he explains each step of a visit to the doctor: from the stethoscope and checking the reflexes, to the eye chart and even the shots. His humor, honesty, and, above all, his respect for the child's curiosity and worries shine through on every page.Hilariously candid drawings by Dr. Brazelton's grandson Alfred express the child's point of view while vivid photos bring the reader right into the doctor's office. With an afterword to help parents make the most of each checkup, Going to the Doctor will fascinate all children and help them understand and even look forward to their next visit to the doctor.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 3^-6. The contemporary guru of pediatrics, whose books Infants and Mothers, To Listen to a Child, etc., have advised parents on the raising of children, here addresses children themselves. Each double-page spread, framed by a colorful border, focuses on one aspect of the physical exam conducted by a doctor or a nurse-practitioner. The conversational, informative text (pneumonia sounds like Rice Krispies crackling in the lungs of ill patients) is presented with sketches revealing a child's (Brazelton's grandson's) point of view and with beautifully composed photos of "Dr. B" talking with and examining his young patients. In addition to his concise explanations and reassurances about the purpose of checking blood pressure and private parts and the need for shots and medicines, Brazelton talks to parents in the afterword, giving advice on how to dispel the fears and discomforts that attend visits to the doctor. Brazelton was prodded to write this book when a six-year-old asked, "What are you looking for when you check children? Are you looking for their badness?" and he has hit on just what the doctor ordered to alleviate such anxieties. Ellen Mandel

About the Author

T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., founder of the Child Development Unit at Children's Hospital Boston, is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics Emeritus at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics and Human Development at Brown University. He is a famed advocate for children, and his many other internationally acclaimed books for parents include To Listen to a Child, Infants and Mothers, and, with Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D., The Irreducible Needs of Children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1 edition (August 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201406942
• ISBN-13: 978-0201406948
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,620,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be read to all children, July 20, 2000

By 

Rob Darrah (Dallas, Tx United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Going To The Doctor (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful introduction into the scary prospect of going to the doctor. The author was challenged to write this book by a six year old child named Max.

Brazelton does an excellent job in talking to the child and not at the child. It is written in clear and easy to understand language. The author has the ability of communicating with children and making them feel comfortable.

The drawings are wonderful insights into a child's apprehension of visiting the doctor. The illustrations happen to be done by Brazelton's oldest grandson.

The Afterword for Parents is something that every parent should read. I liked how Brazelton emphasized the need for parents to prepare their children for all medical events. He cites his research done at the Children's Hospital in Boston that children who were prepared for surgery by their parents recovered significantly better than the parents who did not prepare their children. He emphasizes that children should also be prepared about their trip to the doctor.

Brazelton's aim is at trying to make the trip to a doctor less stressful for the child. He definitely suceeds with his intentions.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great! I wish this book had been around when I was a kid., January 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Going To The Doctor (Hardcover)

I think that this book would be great for children. It helps to minimize some of the fears that they may have about going for a visit to the doctor. It's easy to read and it's written in a way that can be easily followed by a child. I especially liked the way in which privacy was addressed and the Afterward for Parents section. I'd recommend it to anyone with children. I wish it had been around when mine where young, in fact I wish it had been around when I was young. Maybe then I wouldn't have felt so bad about going to the doctor.