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Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas
Vivien Thomas's greatest dream was to attend college to study medicine. But after the stock market crashed in 1929, Vivien lost all his savings. Then he heard about a job opening at the Vanderbilt University medical school under the supervision of Dr. Alfred Blalock. Vivien knew that the all-white school would never admit him as a student, but he hoped working there meant he was getting closer to his dream.
As Dr. Blalock's research assistant, Vivien learned surgical techniques. In 1943, Vivien was asked to help Dr. Helen Taussig find a cure for children with a specific heart defect. After months of experimenting, Vivien developed a procedure that was used for the first successful open-heart surgery on a child. Afterward, Dr. Blalock and Dr. Taussig announced their innovative new surgical technique, the Blalock-Taussig shunt. Vivien's name did not appear in the report.
Overcoming racism and resistance from his colleagues, Vivien ushered in a new era of medicine children's heart surgery. Tiny Stitches is the compelling story of this incredible pioneer in medicine.
As Dr. Blalock's research assistant, Vivien learned surgical techniques. In 1943, Vivien was asked to help Dr. Helen Taussig find a cure for children with a specific heart defect. After months of experimenting, Vivien developed a procedure that was used for the first successful open-heart surgery on a child. Afterward, Dr. Blalock and Dr. Taussig announced their innovative new surgical technique, the Blalock-Taussig shunt. Vivien's name did not appear in the report.
Overcoming racism and resistance from his colleagues, Vivien ushered in a new era of medicine children's heart surgery. Tiny Stitches is the compelling story of this incredible pioneer in medicine.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Gwendolyn Hooks
42 books38 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Gwendolyn Hooks was born in Savannah, Georgia, and lived in Texas, Washington, and Italy thanks to her Air Force dad. She earned a degree in secondary math education from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. After teaching middle school math, Gwendolyn decided to follow her new passion, writing for children. She loves visiting schools and libraries sharing her writing life with students. For inspiration, she turns to her husband, three kids and a cat.
Gwendolyn Hooks was born in Savannah, Georgia, and lived in Texas, Washington, and Italy thanks to her Air Force dad. She earned a degree in secondary math education from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. After teaching middle school math, Gwendolyn decided to follow her new passion, writing for children. She loves visiting schools and libraries sharing her writing life with students. For inspiration, she turns to her husband, three kids and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
November 4, 2021
Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas is a children's picture book written by Gwendolyn Hooks and illustrated by Colin Bootman. It illuminates the trials and triumphs of Vivien Thomas and his vital role in the development of children's open-heart surgery.
Vivien Theodore Thomas was an American laboratory supervisor who developed a procedure used to treat blue baby syndrome, now known as cyanotic heart disease, in the 1940s. He was the assistant to surgeon Alfred Blalock in Blalock's experimental animal laboratory at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and later at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Hooks' text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Hooks writes with vivid detail and immediacy, describing Thomas's anxiety as he coaches Dr. Blalock, the doctor who originally hired him, on performing the first surgery. Backmatter includes notes, glossary, and references. Bootman's subdued watercolors channel the sobering climate of Depression-era America in a sensitive portrayal of a little-recognized medical pioneer.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Vivien Thomas had long strived to become a doctor, but after losing his college savings in the stock market crash of 1929, he instead took a job as a research technician at Vanderbilt University. As an African-American, Thomas' title was officially janitor. Despite persistent racial prejudice, Thomas devised a means to perform open-heart surgery on "blue babies" who were not getting enough oxygen, a procedure that would save the lives of many infants.
All in all, Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas is a rousing tribute to a man unjustly forgotten.
Vivien Theodore Thomas was an American laboratory supervisor who developed a procedure used to treat blue baby syndrome, now known as cyanotic heart disease, in the 1940s. He was the assistant to surgeon Alfred Blalock in Blalock's experimental animal laboratory at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and later at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Hooks' text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Hooks writes with vivid detail and immediacy, describing Thomas's anxiety as he coaches Dr. Blalock, the doctor who originally hired him, on performing the first surgery. Backmatter includes notes, glossary, and references. Bootman's subdued watercolors channel the sobering climate of Depression-era America in a sensitive portrayal of a little-recognized medical pioneer.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Vivien Thomas had long strived to become a doctor, but after losing his college savings in the stock market crash of 1929, he instead took a job as a research technician at Vanderbilt University. As an African-American, Thomas' title was officially janitor. Despite persistent racial prejudice, Thomas devised a means to perform open-heart surgery on "blue babies" who were not getting enough oxygen, a procedure that would save the lives of many infants.
All in all, Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas is a rousing tribute to a man unjustly forgotten.
September 21, 2016
Tiny Stitches is an excellent picture book for older readers about this fascinating life-saving pioneer in heart surgery.
When Vivien Thomas was a young boy, his dream was to enter the medical field. As a teen, Vivien helped his father, a master carpenter in Nashville, Tennessee, who taught him the value of patient measuring, cutting and fitting together pieces of wood, skills that would definitely be valuable to Vivien later on.
Vivien saved his money for medical school, but by the time he was ready to go, the stock market had crashed and he lost all his savings. Luckily, he was able to get a job as a lab assistant working in Dr. Alfred Blalock's Vanderbilt University laboratory.
Thanks to Dr. Blalock, Vivien learned how to write lab reports and conduct experiments with the same kind of meticulous care he had used while working for his father, so it wasn't long before he was doing his own experiments. But when he learned that his official job title was janitor because he was African American, he was insulted. He confronted Dr. Blalock, asking for and receiving the same paid as white technicians.
When Dr. Blalock moved to Johns Hopkins in Maryland, Vivien and his wife and two daughters went with him. Maryland is a southern state, and Johns Hopkins was more segregated that Vanderbilt was, so Vivien faced a more strident racism than he was used to.
But it was there that Vivien got involved in the research Dr. Helen Taussig's research on "blue babies," patients born with a heart defect that made their skin appear bluish because they did not get enough oxygen and usually died.
Thanks to his patient and meticulous research and experiments, Vivien was able to develop a procedure for delivering blood directly to the lungs to provide oxygen to a baby's body, using the tiny needle Vivien invented to make the tiny stitches needed to suture the arteries involved.
Was Vivien's procedure a success? Yes, it was, with articles about it in Time and Life magazines, and eventually a Nobel Prize nomination. Was Vivien given credit along with Dr. Blalock and Dr. Taussig? No, not until 26 years after the first successful blue baby surgery.
It remained up to the doctors he has subsequently trained in his procedure to do that in 1971, and finally, in 1976, Johns Hopkins awarded Vivien an honorary doctorate and appointed him to the faculty as Instructor of Surgery (with the appropriate salary, hopefully).
I thought that Gwendolyn Hooks presented the obstacles Vivien Thomas faced because of his race with clarity and dignity. I have to admit I was disappointed that there was no indication (and I'm sure that is because it didn't happen) that the two doctors Vivien had worked so closely with and whose life saving surgery was successful because of his experiments never insisted that he also be given credit.
I found this to be an excellent and inspiring story. Colin Bootman's soft, realistic watercolor illustrations add depth and respect to a man who had to give up his dream of medical school and deal with the racism he faced at every turn, but who accomplished so much despite the obstacles in his way.
Hooks has included some interesting back matter, namely more about blue babies and Vivien Thomas, a useful glossary, and the source's she used to write this book.
Tiny Stitches is an excellent addition to any STEM library. It is also the kind of book I never would have read as a young reader simply because it probably wouldn't have existed. But, thankfully, that's beginning to change now so that more and more we are being introduced to heroes of color that we never would have known about otherwise.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was iBook received from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline and the publisher, Lee & Low Books
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
When Vivien Thomas was a young boy, his dream was to enter the medical field. As a teen, Vivien helped his father, a master carpenter in Nashville, Tennessee, who taught him the value of patient measuring, cutting and fitting together pieces of wood, skills that would definitely be valuable to Vivien later on.
Vivien saved his money for medical school, but by the time he was ready to go, the stock market had crashed and he lost all his savings. Luckily, he was able to get a job as a lab assistant working in Dr. Alfred Blalock's Vanderbilt University laboratory.
Thanks to Dr. Blalock, Vivien learned how to write lab reports and conduct experiments with the same kind of meticulous care he had used while working for his father, so it wasn't long before he was doing his own experiments. But when he learned that his official job title was janitor because he was African American, he was insulted. He confronted Dr. Blalock, asking for and receiving the same paid as white technicians.
When Dr. Blalock moved to Johns Hopkins in Maryland, Vivien and his wife and two daughters went with him. Maryland is a southern state, and Johns Hopkins was more segregated that Vanderbilt was, so Vivien faced a more strident racism than he was used to.
But it was there that Vivien got involved in the research Dr. Helen Taussig's research on "blue babies," patients born with a heart defect that made their skin appear bluish because they did not get enough oxygen and usually died.
Thanks to his patient and meticulous research and experiments, Vivien was able to develop a procedure for delivering blood directly to the lungs to provide oxygen to a baby's body, using the tiny needle Vivien invented to make the tiny stitches needed to suture the arteries involved.
Was Vivien's procedure a success? Yes, it was, with articles about it in Time and Life magazines, and eventually a Nobel Prize nomination. Was Vivien given credit along with Dr. Blalock and Dr. Taussig? No, not until 26 years after the first successful blue baby surgery.
It remained up to the doctors he has subsequently trained in his procedure to do that in 1971, and finally, in 1976, Johns Hopkins awarded Vivien an honorary doctorate and appointed him to the faculty as Instructor of Surgery (with the appropriate salary, hopefully).
I thought that Gwendolyn Hooks presented the obstacles Vivien Thomas faced because of his race with clarity and dignity. I have to admit I was disappointed that there was no indication (and I'm sure that is because it didn't happen) that the two doctors Vivien had worked so closely with and whose life saving surgery was successful because of his experiments never insisted that he also be given credit.
I found this to be an excellent and inspiring story. Colin Bootman's soft, realistic watercolor illustrations add depth and respect to a man who had to give up his dream of medical school and deal with the racism he faced at every turn, but who accomplished so much despite the obstacles in his way.
Hooks has included some interesting back matter, namely more about blue babies and Vivien Thomas, a useful glossary, and the source's she used to write this book.
Tiny Stitches is an excellent addition to any STEM library. It is also the kind of book I never would have read as a young reader simply because it probably wouldn't have existed. But, thankfully, that's beginning to change now so that more and more we are being introduced to heroes of color that we never would have known about otherwise.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was iBook received from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline and the publisher, Lee & Low Books
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
February 12, 2020
This book really deserves five stars; the reason I gave it only four is because of form. The doctors in the book are referred to as "Dr. Last Name", but the subject of the book is referred to by just his first name, Vivien. This feels demeaning, even though I realize that the usage is probably due to the fact of this being a children's book, and not an intentional slight. Perhaps I am a little too touchy about this. It is all too common to see women and minorities spoken of by first name only, even when they have a title; the formality of being addressed by last name is reserved for white men. But this book is about a black man who broke a race barrier and was denied acknowledgement for decades, so the convention of calling him Vivien rather than Thomas grates on me, even in this context.
October 12, 2016
Excellent presentation. Needed. Book highlights a pioneer overlooked because of his skin color. Shines a light on MC's selflessness and character as well as his achievements. Gives a positive role model for reacting against oppression. Ends on a positive note, the acclaim and recognition he finally received. Illustrations are attractive, but often static.
June 20, 2016
Excellent picture book biography about Vivien Thomas, an African American surgical technician whose achievement in developing a life-saving surgical procedure went unacknowledged for a quarter of a century because of his race. Compelling and inspiring.
April 11, 2022
Such an amazing man!!! You’ll love this story about this African American man who helped refine open heart surgery on babies without even going to medical school!
July 1, 2017
Vivien Thomas dreamed of becoming a doctor from a young age, but most schools in Tennessee were segregated and moreover cost a great deal of money. But he wanted to be as close to the practice of medicine as he could. At a job interview for a research assistant at the Vanderbilt Medical School, he convinced Dr. Alfred Blalock to hire him. Thomas was so good that before long, he was doing his own experiments. He also learned surgical techniques, and “Dr. Blalock was impressed by Vivien’s tiny stitches.”
One day, however, Thomas learned that while white men with his duties were called “research technicians” and earned more money, his official job title was “janitor” and he earned less. He told Dr. Blalock he would quit unless he made the amount commensurate with his actual the job description and a few days later, he noticed his paycheck had increased.
When Dr. Blalock was asked to become Chief of Surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore in 1941, he accepted on the condition that Vivien Thomas would be hired also. Thomas and his family had a hard time finding housing in segregated Baltimore, and Johns Hopkins was even more segregated than Vanderbilt had been. But, as the author reports, “Viven refused to let the prejudice of others interfere with his work.”
When a pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Helen Taussig, asked Dr. Blalock to help with the problem of babies born with heart defects, known then as “blue babies,” Blalock assigned Thomas to do the research. Thomas not only came up with the cause but also a solution. He tried out his surgery on research animals, with Dr. Blalock assisting only once. On November 29, 1944, Dr. Taussig asked for help with a baby that would die without immediate surgery. Dr. Blalock had to do the actual surgery but he needed Vivien Thomas to stand on a stool behind him and guide him through the operation.
The baby survived. After two more successful operations, Drs. Blalock and Taussig wrote a paper describing the procedure which they named “the Blalock-Taussig shunt.” They received coverage in Time and Life, but of course Vivien Thomas’s name did not appear anywhere.
Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins got inundated with requests for the surgery, and Thomas remained behind Dr. Blalock on a stool, coaching him through more than one hundred fifty operations.
In 1947, Drs. Blalock and Taussig were nominated for the Nobel prize in Medicine for the procedure.
Vivien Thomas was not publicly acknowledged for his research and surgical innovations until 1971 when a group of doctors he had trained opted to grant him recognition. In 1976, Johns Hopkins awarded him an honorary doctorate degree and appointed him to the faculty as Instructor of Surgery.
The author concludes: “Today about forty thousand children are born each year with heart problems. Because of Vivien Thomas, these children now have a chance to live full and healthy lives.”
At the end of the book, there is more information about the “blue baby” heart defect (technically “tetralogy of Fallot”) and about Vivien Thomas. In this section, the author mentions some of the people helped and inspired by Thomas, including an elevator operator at Johns Hopkins who, because of Vivien Thomas, became a surgical technician and later the first African American physician’s assistant in the cardiac department at Johns Hopkins Hospital. There is also a small glossary of medical terms, and a list of sources.
Full-page watercolors by Colin Bootman with a muted palette display his usual talent; he excels at showing nuanced emotion.
Evaluation: Without any education past high school, Thomas overcame racism and poverty to become a cardiac surgery pioneer. But the historical and scientific world took a long time to acknowledge his contributions. This book will help show readers a side of racism with which they may not be aware, and perhaps lead them to question how many others have been overlooked because of the color of their skin, or gender, or sexual orientation.
Rating: 4.5/5
One day, however, Thomas learned that while white men with his duties were called “research technicians” and earned more money, his official job title was “janitor” and he earned less. He told Dr. Blalock he would quit unless he made the amount commensurate with his actual the job description and a few days later, he noticed his paycheck had increased.
When Dr. Blalock was asked to become Chief of Surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore in 1941, he accepted on the condition that Vivien Thomas would be hired also. Thomas and his family had a hard time finding housing in segregated Baltimore, and Johns Hopkins was even more segregated than Vanderbilt had been. But, as the author reports, “Viven refused to let the prejudice of others interfere with his work.”
When a pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Helen Taussig, asked Dr. Blalock to help with the problem of babies born with heart defects, known then as “blue babies,” Blalock assigned Thomas to do the research. Thomas not only came up with the cause but also a solution. He tried out his surgery on research animals, with Dr. Blalock assisting only once. On November 29, 1944, Dr. Taussig asked for help with a baby that would die without immediate surgery. Dr. Blalock had to do the actual surgery but he needed Vivien Thomas to stand on a stool behind him and guide him through the operation.
The baby survived. After two more successful operations, Drs. Blalock and Taussig wrote a paper describing the procedure which they named “the Blalock-Taussig shunt.” They received coverage in Time and Life, but of course Vivien Thomas’s name did not appear anywhere.
Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins got inundated with requests for the surgery, and Thomas remained behind Dr. Blalock on a stool, coaching him through more than one hundred fifty operations.
In 1947, Drs. Blalock and Taussig were nominated for the Nobel prize in Medicine for the procedure.
Vivien Thomas was not publicly acknowledged for his research and surgical innovations until 1971 when a group of doctors he had trained opted to grant him recognition. In 1976, Johns Hopkins awarded him an honorary doctorate degree and appointed him to the faculty as Instructor of Surgery.
The author concludes: “Today about forty thousand children are born each year with heart problems. Because of Vivien Thomas, these children now have a chance to live full and healthy lives.”
At the end of the book, there is more information about the “blue baby” heart defect (technically “tetralogy of Fallot”) and about Vivien Thomas. In this section, the author mentions some of the people helped and inspired by Thomas, including an elevator operator at Johns Hopkins who, because of Vivien Thomas, became a surgical technician and later the first African American physician’s assistant in the cardiac department at Johns Hopkins Hospital. There is also a small glossary of medical terms, and a list of sources.
Full-page watercolors by Colin Bootman with a muted palette display his usual talent; he excels at showing nuanced emotion.
Evaluation: Without any education past high school, Thomas overcame racism and poverty to become a cardiac surgery pioneer. But the historical and scientific world took a long time to acknowledge his contributions. This book will help show readers a side of racism with which they may not be aware, and perhaps lead them to question how many others have been overlooked because of the color of their skin, or gender, or sexual orientation.
Rating: 4.5/5
February 16, 2020
This book showed up on a list of children's books for Black History Month. I recognized it from a book that had been recommended to me, Partners of the Heart, by Vivien Thomas.
This book would be great for older children. There a lot of information in it, and most likely wouldn't keep a younger child's attention. I enjoyed it, though, and look forward to reading the autobiography in the future.
This book would be great for older children. There a lot of information in it, and most likely wouldn't keep a younger child's attention. I enjoyed it, though, and look forward to reading the autobiography in the future.
July 2, 2020
This is a great book - too advanced for my 4 year olds, but would like to revisit it when they're older and able to follow along better!
March 13, 2018
Vivien Thomas dreams of college and medical school and fortunately there are some for black students in Nashville, but the stock market crash of 1929 eliminates his savings. When a job opens at Vanderbilt's medical school lab, Thomas applies. He impresses Dr. Blalock and eventually conducts experiments and writes up reports. Another doctor loans him medical textbooks. He learns to suture and make the tiny stitches of the title. Then he discovers his job title is janitor and he then insists he should be paid the same as other technicians doing the same job.
When Blalock moves to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Thomas goes with him - and finds it more segregated even than Vanderbilt. [This is not surprising after learning what Boston was like during integration.]
Thomas made needles small enough to be used on infants in order to solve Dr. Taussig's "blue babies" problem. He experimented on animals with a technique he and Blalock developed to attach arteries. When a blue baby with no hope of survival without an operation turns up, Thomas, at Blalock's insistence, guides Blalock through the operation he developed that saves the child's life. Blalock and Taussig wrote up the procedure and were hailed in the press and nominated for a Nobel Prize - but no mention was made of Thomas despite his continuing to help Blalock through the operations that were becoming commonplace.
It was over 20 years later before Thomas was recognized for his efforts - with an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins and a faculty appointment in Surgery.
Yet another lesson in "It's a White Man's World."
When Blalock moves to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Thomas goes with him - and finds it more segregated even than Vanderbilt. [This is not surprising after learning what Boston was like during integration.]
Thomas made needles small enough to be used on infants in order to solve Dr. Taussig's "blue babies" problem. He experimented on animals with a technique he and Blalock developed to attach arteries. When a blue baby with no hope of survival without an operation turns up, Thomas, at Blalock's insistence, guides Blalock through the operation he developed that saves the child's life. Blalock and Taussig wrote up the procedure and were hailed in the press and nominated for a Nobel Prize - but no mention was made of Thomas despite his continuing to help Blalock through the operations that were becoming commonplace.
It was over 20 years later before Thomas was recognized for his efforts - with an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins and a faculty appointment in Surgery.
Yet another lesson in "It's a White Man's World."
June 4, 2016
Tiny Stitches tells the story of medial pioneer Vivien Thomas, an African American who overcame discrimination in the 1940's to develop a life-saving surgical procedure. Hooks takes readers from his early days working in his father's carpentry shop, through the Great Depression and on to Vanderbilt University, where he applies his carpentry skills to surgery while working with Dr. Alfred Blalock. Vivien loves his job, until he learns that he is classified as a janitor, not a research technician like all of his white counterparts. Vivien overcomes this setback, and many others, to pioneer a surgical procedure to save babies born with tetralogy of fallot, a deadly heart defect.
Hooks has crafted an engaging story of scientific discovery and perseverance, and Bootman's evocative watercolors add poignancy to this heartfelt tale. Young readers will be drawn in by moments of rising tension, as Vivien confronts and overcomes discrimination. Readers will also get insight into how scientific discovery works, from the idea, to experimentation and finally to practice. Tiny Stitches is an important book about a forgotten hero that deserves space in all public and school libraries, and would make a great addition to any STEM curriculum.
Hooks has crafted an engaging story of scientific discovery and perseverance, and Bootman's evocative watercolors add poignancy to this heartfelt tale. Young readers will be drawn in by moments of rising tension, as Vivien confronts and overcomes discrimination. Readers will also get insight into how scientific discovery works, from the idea, to experimentation and finally to practice. Tiny Stitches is an important book about a forgotten hero that deserves space in all public and school libraries, and would make a great addition to any STEM curriculum.
August 1, 2016
As a "blue baby" myself who has had a Blalock shunt, I was very excited to see a new book about Vivien Thomas. I am so grateful that he had the opportunities that he did and the friendship he had with Alfred Blalock. Thomas has become sort of a hero for me because, without him, I might not have had the opportunities that I've had. (Prognosis for babies with Tetralogy of Fallot without corrective surgery is 21 years old at best.)
This story gives a very real look at the life of a black man in the 30s and 40s. Issues such as racism, segregation, and unfair wages are addressed. I found that the only issue with the book was that the vocabulary was on a higher level. If I were to read it to my 4 year old he would not understand the most of it (especially the themes of racism). If I were to read it to my 8 year old I believe she would understand most of it, however the medical jargon might be difficult. Overall a wonderful book for both the subjects of racism and the history of medicine, if you are interested in either.
This story gives a very real look at the life of a black man in the 30s and 40s. Issues such as racism, segregation, and unfair wages are addressed. I found that the only issue with the book was that the vocabulary was on a higher level. If I were to read it to my 4 year old he would not understand the most of it (especially the themes of racism). If I were to read it to my 8 year old I believe she would understand most of it, however the medical jargon might be difficult. Overall a wonderful book for both the subjects of racism and the history of medicine, if you are interested in either.
April 5, 2017
This was recommended to me by a librarian after I told her I was proclaiming 2017 as the year of nonfiction picture books. I was intrigued when she had mentioned being impressed by this even though I had no idea what she was referring to with the term "blue babies."
It was amazing how much Vivien Thomas persevered- and not just because of racism. It's still unbelievable how mistreated people were (are) treated because of the color of their skin. I'm just glad that he got recognized for his incredible life-saving achievements.
A stand-out feature was the backmatter which included a glossary of medical terms, information about tetralogy of Fallot (the scientific name of the "blue babies" condition, as well as more information about Vivien Thomas with a focus on the people whose career trajectories he helped shape. I was curious if they were part of the Old Hands Club who helped spotlight him and his contribution to the medical field in the first place.
It was amazing how much Vivien Thomas persevered- and not just because of racism. It's still unbelievable how mistreated people were (are) treated because of the color of their skin. I'm just glad that he got recognized for his incredible life-saving achievements.
A stand-out feature was the backmatter which included a glossary of medical terms, information about tetralogy of Fallot (the scientific name of the "blue babies" condition, as well as more information about Vivien Thomas with a focus on the people whose career trajectories he helped shape. I was curious if they were part of the Old Hands Club who helped spotlight him and his contribution to the medical field in the first place.
August 9, 2017
With easy-to-understand narrative text and beautiful watercolor illustrations, this picture book biography tells the story of Vivien Thomas, a surgical research technician who helped develop techniques and equipment to perform open-heart surgeries on babies. Thomas was unable to attend medical school because the Great Depression put it out of reach financially. As a laboratory technician to a prominent surgeon, Thomas overcame racism and resentment from colleagues to become one of the pioneers of groundbreaking medical treatments for young children suffering from heart defects. The book is very inspirational and with additional notes and resources listed at the end, a wonderful nonfiction resource for the classroom library.
May 1, 2018
This is amazing. I am so happy I got to learn about Vivien. He had an amazing career and I'm sorry that he was not recognized for it sooner. I am glad he was acknowledged and he was able to impact so many great careers. We are very lucky to have had him! Read for Info Books for Youth for grad school.
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August 21, 2016What a great book with so much information on a subject/person I'd never heard of. It really shows the racial barriers that have been overcome in our society. Every school child should read this book! Loved it!
June 13, 2016
A very informative, endearing, and even suspenseful account of Vivien Thomas' life and work, written in clear, eloquent prose by Gwendolyn Hooks and enhanced by the beautiful watercolor art of Colin Bootman. Truly a must-have for school and home libraries!
July 22, 2016
A lovely picture book biography about Vivien Thomas, a man determined to become a doctor, even when it was difficult to do so. He pioneered open heart surgeries on infants and yet remained unrecognized until the 1970s.
September 8, 2016
Fascinating figure who could have done so much more if people hadn't been so hung up on his race...
September 25, 2016
Interesting story to tell, but the illustrations didn't appeal to me and the writing felt a little flat.
November 16, 2016
Sometimes the injustice in this world takes my breath away. This is an important biography and must-purchase addition to school, public, classroom and STEM libraries.
July 2, 2017
I'm so glad Gwendolyn Hooks wrote this book. We should all celebrate the pioneering work of Vivien Thomas.
March 3, 2021
interesting to find out that open heart surgery on children was pioneered by a Black man studying to be a doctor who was finally credited much later.
September 14, 2019
Vivian Thomas grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and was on his way to study medicine in one of the African American colleges there. When the stock market crashed all of the money he saved for college was gone. He got a lucky break from a friend at Vanderbilt University in their medical school. Since it was an all white university he wasn't admitted as a student, in fact he discovered his title was a janitor, whose salary was much lower then the white assistants. However by working with Dr. Blalock who immediately perceived his brilliance, when he mentioned the injustice, his salary was corrected and he was paid the same as the other assitants. When Dr. Blalock moved to John Hopkins he insisted that Vivian Thomas would be his research technician. This moved opened Vivian's eyes to the increased racial prejudice in Baltimore. This is where Vivian Thomas invented life saving techniques to save children. He even invented the procedures necessary for saving the lives of blue babies, using a miniature needled he designed. Soon along with Dr. Blalock, he performed multiple operations per day. However he didn't receive the credit for his work as a pioneer in heart surgery until 26 years later, when he received an honorary doctorate from John Hopkins University, and other honors. This beautifully written and illustrated story does not shy away from the prejudice he encountered in Baltimore professionally, and in his neighborhood. A must buy for all elementary libraries. The back matter describes how this heart operation works, and exactly what he and Dr. Blalock did to save blue babies. A mini biography about his life is included as well.
September 16, 2019
Children's biography in picture book format of Vivien Thomas. Details the contributions he made to medicine as an African American before people of his race were able to be recognized and acknowledged for their work and knowledge.
January 10, 2017
I had an aunt I would never know. My father was the oldest of not three siblings, but four. He had a baby sister, Rosemary, who lived only a few hours. She was a "blue baby", and that expression was followed by saying she was born with a bad heart. I still recall my earliest, confused images of what "blue baby" meant, progressing over the years to an adult understanding of congenital heart defects and cyanosis.
While serving on the nonfiction panel for Cybils awards I read TINY STITCHES: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas. Medical progress since the 1920s is impressive on countless fronts, and many individuals deserve credit. In this picture book the author, Gwendolyn Hudson Hooks, reveals the overlooked life of Vivien Thomas. His childhood dream of becoming a doctor was a daring one for an African American at that time in history. He was derailed from his quest after only a year of college by the financial crash of the Depression.
Thomas found work in a Johns Hopkins medical laboratory, eventually becoming a surgical assistant to a noted heart surgeon. He transferred his desire to become a doctor to dedicating himself to developing procedures and adapting techniques and tools specific to serving the youngest patients. His devices and processes were capable of performing corrective heart surgery for the tiniest hearts of all, those of blue babies. Surgeries previously thought to be impossible.
With direct and descriptive narrative, Hooks reflects the purposeful and steady approach Thomas took toward this goal and others throughout his professional life. Because he lacked a medical degree he wasn't allowed to perform the surgeries himself. He stood at the elbow of others, guiding them in the live-saving techniques that came too late to save my Aunt Rosemary. His race reinforced many limitations, but eventually he was recognized for his life-saving innovations.
Colin Bootman's illustrations complement the text perfectly, conveying the intensity and dedication Thomas demonstrated throughout his career. They also portray a realistic view of medical settings, including laboratories and operating theaters. The angles and perspectives within various page spreads show Thomas in relation to others. Those perspectives and expressions tell a story in themselves about both the credit and the dismissive attitudes he dealt with throughout his career.
The good news is that he was eventually awarded an honorary medical degree, joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins Medical College, and is credited with his role in the development of materials, techniques, and care that saves lives on a daily basis around the world. Today the vast majority of infants born with heart defects can be treated successfully and go on to live full and healthy lives.
While serving on the nonfiction panel for Cybils awards I read TINY STITCHES: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas. Medical progress since the 1920s is impressive on countless fronts, and many individuals deserve credit. In this picture book the author, Gwendolyn Hudson Hooks, reveals the overlooked life of Vivien Thomas. His childhood dream of becoming a doctor was a daring one for an African American at that time in history. He was derailed from his quest after only a year of college by the financial crash of the Depression.
Thomas found work in a Johns Hopkins medical laboratory, eventually becoming a surgical assistant to a noted heart surgeon. He transferred his desire to become a doctor to dedicating himself to developing procedures and adapting techniques and tools specific to serving the youngest patients. His devices and processes were capable of performing corrective heart surgery for the tiniest hearts of all, those of blue babies. Surgeries previously thought to be impossible.
With direct and descriptive narrative, Hooks reflects the purposeful and steady approach Thomas took toward this goal and others throughout his professional life. Because he lacked a medical degree he wasn't allowed to perform the surgeries himself. He stood at the elbow of others, guiding them in the live-saving techniques that came too late to save my Aunt Rosemary. His race reinforced many limitations, but eventually he was recognized for his life-saving innovations.
Colin Bootman's illustrations complement the text perfectly, conveying the intensity and dedication Thomas demonstrated throughout his career. They also portray a realistic view of medical settings, including laboratories and operating theaters. The angles and perspectives within various page spreads show Thomas in relation to others. Those perspectives and expressions tell a story in themselves about both the credit and the dismissive attitudes he dealt with throughout his career.
The good news is that he was eventually awarded an honorary medical degree, joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins Medical College, and is credited with his role in the development of materials, techniques, and care that saves lives on a daily basis around the world. Today the vast majority of infants born with heart defects can be treated successfully and go on to live full and healthy lives.
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June 24, 2017Fiction Twin:
Gerber, A. (2017). Braced. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Tiny Stitches is a picture book, but because of the topic and vocabulary used, it is very appropriate for 4th - 6th grade students. In order to understand everything in the book, students need to have a basic understanding of anatomy and how the heart specifically works. To tie into the science and medical theme, I chose Braced, by Alison Gerber. Braced is a novel, so it will have to be taught either as a read aloud or as a whole class reading selection. Braced is about a girl who is entering 7th grade and finds out that she needs to wear a back brace to correct scoliosis. The book goes through the process of her wearing the brace and how much it affects her life. There are several kids who can relate to both of these books through medical situations that they have heard about or gone through. Especially 6th graders, are at that age where they start really understanding how medical things work and the stronger understanding they have, the better off they will be.
Tiny Stitches is written in a descriptive narrative format. It's a nonfiction book written as a story. In the back of the book, there are additional notes about tetralogy of fallot and Vivien Thomas. There is also a short glossary of medical terms and a list of the author's sources.
Both of these books would be good opportunities to use context clues to decipher unfamiliar words. There will be several words in these books that will be new to students because of the medical nature. One advantage to Tiny Stitches is that it is a picture book and the wonderful illustrations help a great deal with piecing together the meaning of some of the more difficult words. Since Braced is a novel, there aren't pictures to help with unfamiliar words, but the context is very helpful about giving clues and support to situations that involve medical terms. (North, n.d)
North, J. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2017, from http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/Read...
Gerber, A. (2017). Braced. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Tiny Stitches is a picture book, but because of the topic and vocabulary used, it is very appropriate for 4th - 6th grade students. In order to understand everything in the book, students need to have a basic understanding of anatomy and how the heart specifically works. To tie into the science and medical theme, I chose Braced, by Alison Gerber. Braced is a novel, so it will have to be taught either as a read aloud or as a whole class reading selection. Braced is about a girl who is entering 7th grade and finds out that she needs to wear a back brace to correct scoliosis. The book goes through the process of her wearing the brace and how much it affects her life. There are several kids who can relate to both of these books through medical situations that they have heard about or gone through. Especially 6th graders, are at that age where they start really understanding how medical things work and the stronger understanding they have, the better off they will be.
Tiny Stitches is written in a descriptive narrative format. It's a nonfiction book written as a story. In the back of the book, there are additional notes about tetralogy of fallot and Vivien Thomas. There is also a short glossary of medical terms and a list of the author's sources.
Both of these books would be good opportunities to use context clues to decipher unfamiliar words. There will be several words in these books that will be new to students because of the medical nature. One advantage to Tiny Stitches is that it is a picture book and the wonderful illustrations help a great deal with piecing together the meaning of some of the more difficult words. Since Braced is a novel, there aren't pictures to help with unfamiliar words, but the context is very helpful about giving clues and support to situations that involve medical terms. (North, n.d)
North, J. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2017, from http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/Read...
June 18, 2016
This picture book version of the life experiences of Vivien Thomas introduces young readers to the pioneer whose innovations and medical skills lead to the first successful open-heart surgery performed on a baby. As a boy, he dreamed of studying medicine, but the stock market crash took all his money and made him shift those dreams. Eventually he is hired to work as an assistant in Vanderbilt, but his job description indicates that he is a janitor. Although he accompanies Dr. Alfred Blalock, his supervisor, to Johns Hopkins, he faces discrimination and racism every step of the way. Even though it is his work and his guidance--he literally stood behind the surgeon and provided directions--during several heart surgeries, his contributions were ignored by the medical field, even while two colleagues were nominated for the Nobel Prize. Twenty-six years would pass before this talented man would recieve any public recognition and an honorary doctorate. The story is stunning and inspiring, and certainly is a tribute to the persistence of Vivien Thomas who did the best with what he could and changed the fate of many so-called "blue babies." As I read the book and was moved by the watercolor illustrations that captured the flavor of those times, I couldn't help pondering what this man might have done with the education he craved and the opportunities that should have come his way. I also marveled at the thought of surgery on such small bodies with such tiny parts. Teachers should certainly include this in their classroom libraries as part of a science innovation collection or one devoted to civil rights and ground-breakers.
September 5, 2016
Doctors work miracles all the time. Many of these doctors may go unnoticed, or it may take them years to make their miracle a reality. But one doctor, Vivien Thomas, wasn’t scared to make his mark in the world. He had invented a brand new operation using tiny delicate tools designed to work on troubled tiny delicate hearts.
When the depression hit and all money was lost but Vivien’s dreams didn’t die. Although he couldn’t go to medical school he was given an opportunity to work with Dr. Blalock. He learned so much as a researcher and was hands on. In 1941 he relocated to Baltimore and worked with Dr. Blalock at John’s Hopkins. Getting settled in and finding a home was troubling during these times of segregation. His new position as a Surgical Technician in Research provided him with the opportunity to research, study and help babies with heart defects.
This heartfelt story of first steps has cleared the way for so many other students of color to follow their dreams of becoming doctors. “The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine established the Vivien Thomas Fund to increase diversity and help students continue their education.” Author Gwendolyn Hooks idea to bring this book into the hands of children will enlighten and inspire. Gentle hues of browns, yellow and blues soften the pains of racial issues Vivien Thomas encountered but also create a glow of pride and achievement in each picture. Young readers have an opportunity to learn about medical wonders and a real African American hero. Parents and teachers can use this story as a guide for discussion on African American history and how children can be whatever they set their mines to become.
When the depression hit and all money was lost but Vivien’s dreams didn’t die. Although he couldn’t go to medical school he was given an opportunity to work with Dr. Blalock. He learned so much as a researcher and was hands on. In 1941 he relocated to Baltimore and worked with Dr. Blalock at John’s Hopkins. Getting settled in and finding a home was troubling during these times of segregation. His new position as a Surgical Technician in Research provided him with the opportunity to research, study and help babies with heart defects.
This heartfelt story of first steps has cleared the way for so many other students of color to follow their dreams of becoming doctors. “The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine established the Vivien Thomas Fund to increase diversity and help students continue their education.” Author Gwendolyn Hooks idea to bring this book into the hands of children will enlighten and inspire. Gentle hues of browns, yellow and blues soften the pains of racial issues Vivien Thomas encountered but also create a glow of pride and achievement in each picture. Young readers have an opportunity to learn about medical wonders and a real African American hero. Parents and teachers can use this story as a guide for discussion on African American history and how children can be whatever they set their mines to become.
December 26, 2018
Title: Tiny Stitches The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas
Author: Gwendolyn Hooks
Lexile: 920L
Pages: 32
This is the inspiring story of Vivien Thomas, who went from being born in poverty to being a medical pioneer. He grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and from a young age dreamed of being a doctor. He worked alongside his father, who was a master carpenter and saved up money in the bank for college. Unfortunately the Great Depression in 1929 derailed those plans. He found a job at Vanderbilt University, which at the time was an all-white institution. He met and interview with Dr. Alfred Blalock, who was impressed with Vivien, and offered him the job right away. This was the beginning of Vivien’s pioneering medical work. He conducted experiments and learned different surgical techniques under the guidance of Dr. Blalock. He eventually perfected a technique that was performed in open heart surgeries on infants. Unfortunately, he was not able to perform these procedures on the patients themselves. So he stood behind the doctors and guided them step by step. Vivien Thomas would not be recognized for his brilliant life-saving research and surgical talents until over twenty six years later.
Included in this book at the end is additional information on ‘tetrology of Fallot’ which is the condition that Vivien help to fix. There is also a glossary of medical terms and a bibliography. I would highly recommend this book for anyone.
Reviewed by: Amberleigh B.
Author: Gwendolyn Hooks
Lexile: 920L
Pages: 32
This is the inspiring story of Vivien Thomas, who went from being born in poverty to being a medical pioneer. He grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and from a young age dreamed of being a doctor. He worked alongside his father, who was a master carpenter and saved up money in the bank for college. Unfortunately the Great Depression in 1929 derailed those plans. He found a job at Vanderbilt University, which at the time was an all-white institution. He met and interview with Dr. Alfred Blalock, who was impressed with Vivien, and offered him the job right away. This was the beginning of Vivien’s pioneering medical work. He conducted experiments and learned different surgical techniques under the guidance of Dr. Blalock. He eventually perfected a technique that was performed in open heart surgeries on infants. Unfortunately, he was not able to perform these procedures on the patients themselves. So he stood behind the doctors and guided them step by step. Vivien Thomas would not be recognized for his brilliant life-saving research and surgical talents until over twenty six years later.
Included in this book at the end is additional information on ‘tetrology of Fallot’ which is the condition that Vivien help to fix. There is also a glossary of medical terms and a bibliography. I would highly recommend this book for anyone.
Reviewed by: Amberleigh B.
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