Good-bye, Tonsils

by Craig Hatkoff, Juliana Lee Hatkoff, Marilyn Mets (Illustrator)

There's only one way to make Juliana's nonstop sore throats go away, and that's to remove her tonsils. Dr. Ward and Juliana's parents help Juliana understand what will happen when she's in the hospital. By the time she has her surgery, she knows just what to expect. And when she returns to school, Juliana tells her friends, "The worst thing about having your tonsils out is that you can only do it once!"

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Craig Hatkoff is the co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival and of Turtle Pond Publications. Both Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship and Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship are New York Times bestsellers. He lives with his wife and their two daughters in Manhattan.

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot even begin to describe my dislike for this book. It is supposed to walk children step by step through the process of surgery, specificlly having your tonsils out. I can't decide whether my horror reached it's peak at the part where the authors actually used the phrase, "the magic mask with the magic gas," or at the end when they glibly declared that the worst part of getting your tonsils out was that "you can only do it once!" This book gives children false expectations of presents and parties and cake every time they have to go to the hospital. Clearly written by adults, for adults to make them feel better about putting their chidlren through surgery.

[Candis · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I personally think that this book leaves a lot to be desired (in terms of storytelling, illustration), it really successfully does do the important work of prepping a kid for an impending surgery. My little guy has asked to read it over and over, and it is helping him find the language to ask questions and to voice his concerns about his upcoming surgery. His sister has read it and has read it to him as well, and it has really eased a lot of the anxiety and worry that we're all feeling as a family. Recommended!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ellie is enjoying this on repeat because of her impending surgery, so from that standpoint, it is useful. That said: it's too wordy, the illustrations are terrible, and it sets expectations that aren't necessarily meet-able. I don't think we'll be allowed to go into the operating room with Ellie. She's not getting presents. And she won't be able to chew gum after. Still, I think it's reassuring to her to know that other kids have experienced this and were a-okay.

[Jessamine]

This book made me want to get my tonsils take out as a kid.

No idea why someone gave me a book about tonsil surgery a kid, but it's sweet that the author and illustrator are a father-daughter duo.

I still have my tonsils. Much to my younger self's disappointment.

[Shilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helped prepare my daughter for her surgery. She also enjoyed reading it after her surgery and comparing it with her experience. She even brought it to daycare to help explain the process to her other preschool friends.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent and informative story for any child who is about to undergo a surgery. It tells all about what to expect before, during, and after. It is fiction but could easily be a true story about someone's experience.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many children in books went to hospital to have their tonsils removed! And no one I knew in real life EVER DID.

[Ladonna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is good for a child that is having their tonsils taken out. It explains what to expect in detail