When Molly Was in the Hospital

by Debbie Duncan

Book Overview

The experiences of a young girl whose younger sister faces major surgery and the many conflicting emotions she feels. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1877810444
• ISBN13: 9781877810442
• Release Date: December 1994
• Publisher: Rayve Productions
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 8 years and under
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Superb illustrations accompany a story for siblings

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.

Kind-hearted, intelligent, and such a delight.

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!

A great book!

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!

Perfect for young siblings of hospitalized children

When Molly Was in the Hospital is wonderful! It is a touching story about a child who becomes ill, needs lots of tests and doctor visits, has surgery and a hospital stay. It is written from the sibling's point of view and addresses the sibling's many feelings including fear, guilt, anger, and joy as her sister recovers. It is rare to find something acknowleging the needs of siblings of disabled or sick children, and this book does it extremely well. It is written simply, but factually, and is very true to real hospital stays. The illistrations are gorgeous. An absolute MUST if you children and one is ever hospitalized.