This is a Hospital, Not a Zoo!

A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling anxious about an upcoming hospital stay or a specific medical procedure. This humorous chapter book follows Filbert MacFee, a young patient who cleverly avoids unwanted treatments by transforming into a series of wild animals, much to the exasperation of the hospital staff. The story taps into themes of fear, creativity, and finding a sense of control in an overwhelming situation. It's a fantastic choice for early elementary readers because it validates their worries through a silly, fantastical lens, offering imagination as a powerful coping tool instead of a dry, procedural explanation of a hospital visit.