When Molly Was in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children (Minimed Series : Volume 1) [Hardcover]

Debbie Duncan (Author), Nina Ollikainen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1994 | Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Minimed Series : Volume 1 (Book 1)

A Book for Brothers & Sisters of Hospitalized Children. Anna's little sister, Molly, has been very ill and had to have an operation. Anna tells us all about the experience from her point of view. Sensitive, insightful, heartwarming story. A support and comfort for siblings and those who love them. The story is moving and rings with authenticity, for author Debbie Duncan based it on her family's personal experiences. Artist Nina Ollikainen's beautiful black and white drawings are accurately detailed and capture the emotional atmosphere of Anna and Molly's tender relationship. (Ages 3 - 12) Winner of 1995 Benjamin Franklin Award: Best Children's Picture Book

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2?A sensitive and involving story about the experiences of a young girl, Anna, whose younger sister faces major surgery. Many concerns of the well child are addressed?anger at her parents' preoccupation with the ill toddler; fear that she somehow caused the illness; worries about catching it; and her loneliness when left behind with grandparents or neighbors. Anna takes part in the rehabilitation process?seeing Molly in the hospital, attending sessions for siblings, and participating in physical therapy. Realistic, full-page black-and-white pencil drawings are finely rendered and expressive, and effectively reflect the story's mood and events. The hospital details are few but cover the essentials both in text and pictures. The situations discussed can easily be expanded to cover readers' own experiences. This unique offering will be welcomed by stressed relatives who do not want to overlook the emotional needs of siblings during a difficult time.?Martha Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

This true-to-life story captures the reality of how a sibling's illness, hospitalization, and surgery affects family dynamics and the range of emotion including fear, anger, jealousy, love, and frustration that siblings of patients often experience. Beautiful black-and-white illustrations. --Contemporary Pediatrics

A sensitive and involving story ... realistic, full-page drawings are finely rendered and expressive, and effectively reflect the story's mood and events. The hospital details are few but cover the essentials both in text and pictures. The situations discussed can easily be expanded to cover readers' own experiences. This unique offering will be welcomed by stressed relatives who do not want to overlook the emotional needs of siblings during a difficult time. --School Library Journal

The hospitalization of a child can cause chaos in even the closest of families ... Debbie Duncan offers a story that should help dispel the worry, guilt, loneliness and jealousy experienced by siblings. Duncan tells a tale that covers all the psychological bases while retaining its engaging charm. --Disability Resources Monthly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Rayve Productions Inc; 1 edition (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877810444
• ISBN-13: 978-1877810442
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Illness

More About the Author

Debbie Duncan is the author of an award-winning picture book as well as a book for parents about children's books and reading. She has written essays for local and national newspapers, magazines and books, and reviews children's books for the Palo Alto Weekly. She is a regular contributor to the Perspectives series of commentaries on San Francisco NPR station KQED. She is also a co-author of three children's musicals. Debbie graduated with honors in Humanities and American Studies from Stanford University. She and her family live on the Stanford campus. Her first novel, Caller Number Nine, will be available in summer 2011 as an eBook.

Debbie is also fanatic about her World Champion San Francisco Giants.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb illustrations accompany a story for siblings, November 16, 2001

By 

Carol Watkins "Psychiatrist" (Parkton, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Molly Was in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children (Minimed Series : Volume 1) (Hardcover)

This sensitive book describes the feelings of an older sibling and a family when a young child is hospitalized for a severe medical problem. It helps normalize the feelings that a sibling might have, and indicates that adults are available for support. The black and white drawings do a good job of being accurate, but still showing warmth and emotion.

This book is specifically aimed at children who are about four to eight years old. When one of my own children was hospitalized and had surgery, I thought of this book and brought it out for my other children.

This book tells the story of a young girl, whose baby sister is admitted into a hospital. The baby sister needs surgery, and the older girl is very unhappy. The older sister is initially angry at how Molly is getting all the attention. Later, she feels guilty and wonders if she somehow caused Molly's illness.

The author had a child who had a chronic condition and underwent surgery. She saw how her older children experienced the sibling's illness. The illustrator is a physician who left the clinical practice of medicine to pursue her artwork and to raise her own family. Her medical background may help account for the superb, sensitive illustrations.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, December 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: When Molly Was in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children (Minimed Series : Volume 1) (Hardcover)

I'm 11 years old, and when my sister was in the hospital my mom bought me this book. It was like reading my own story in a real book! Like Anna, the main character, I felt sad, jealous, worried, and even angry at my sister. This book helped me to understand that other kids felt the same way. I also enjoyed the happy ending!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kind-hearted, intelligent, and such a delight., June 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: When Molly Was in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children (Minimed Series : Volume 1) (Hardcover)

The moving story of Molly's illness and her family's loving, worried response informs children about what a hospitalization means. What's more, it validates the feelings that come when a loved one needs help. Duncan beautifully evokes the atmosphere of a hospital -- not just the physical place but the environment of caring professionals, friends, and family members who work together to get someone better. For kids who've experienced hospitalizations (their own or others) or who are trying to imagine what things are like at the hospital (whether or not someone they love is in the hospital now), this book rings equally clear and true. Brava!