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Lions Aren't Scared of Shots: A Story for Children About Visiting the Doctor
As seen on The Today Show and in Newsweek Magazine
iParenting Media Award Winner
Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award for the Family 2008
Molly is worried. It's time for her doctor visit and she doesn't want to go. She likes Dr. Ryan. She just doesn't like shots! But with the help of her imagination, Molly finds her courageous inner lion right when she needs it the most.
Even though pediatricians' offices usually look cheerful and inviting, most kids worry about doctor visits. One minute they are playing in the waiting room, and the next they are whisked away to be weighed, measured, checked, and maybe even poked with a shot or two. No wonder kids get scared.
Imagination, humor, and gentle redirection are excellent tools for reducing a child’s anxiety. In Lions Aren’t Scared of Shot s, Molly's doctor invites her to become different animals as a way to relax and have fun with each part of the checkup. Parents too can reduce worries in their child by talking about and preparing for the visit, and by teaching other relaxation methods. Armed with such simple strategies, children can feel far less fearful about doctors and checkups, just as our brave little lion Molly does.
For parents, a note by psychologist and author Jane Annunziata offers advice and tips for encouraging their own little lion to feel comfortable and brave with routine checkups, sick visits, shots, and other medical procedures.
iParenting Media Award Winner
Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award for the Family 2008
Molly is worried. It's time for her doctor visit and she doesn't want to go. She likes Dr. Ryan. She just doesn't like shots! But with the help of her imagination, Molly finds her courageous inner lion right when she needs it the most.
Even though pediatricians' offices usually look cheerful and inviting, most kids worry about doctor visits. One minute they are playing in the waiting room, and the next they are whisked away to be weighed, measured, checked, and maybe even poked with a shot or two. No wonder kids get scared.
Imagination, humor, and gentle redirection are excellent tools for reducing a child’s anxiety. In Lions Aren’t Scared of Shot s, Molly's doctor invites her to become different animals as a way to relax and have fun with each part of the checkup. Parents too can reduce worries in their child by talking about and preparing for the visit, and by teaching other relaxation methods. Armed with such simple strategies, children can feel far less fearful about doctors and checkups, just as our brave little lion Molly does.
For parents, a note by psychologist and author Jane Annunziata offers advice and tips for encouraging their own little lion to feel comfortable and brave with routine checkups, sick visits, shots, and other medical procedures.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 9, 2026
Little Molly worries about going to see Dr. Ryan, with the concern of 'am I getting a shot' dominating the conversation. After a friendly visit with Nurse Carol, and some imagining games with Dr. Ryan, Molly takes her one shot like a champ. This book offers a variety of coping skills including: explaining or demonstrating what is happening, deep breathing, or my personal favorite: bibliotherapy - books with similar, relatable situations.
March 3, 2017
Molly takes a trip to the doctor and is worried that she'll have to get a shot. The doctor keeps inferring that she's all these different types of animals, lending to imaginative imagery of Molly as a monkey, an eagle, a kangaroo, etc. The story ends with Molly claiming to be a lion not afraid of shots! Overall a good story for teaching about scary new experiences and coping to overcome them. Also includes a helpful note about helping a child's anxiety and doctor visits.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews