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7 Books To Get Your Kid Comfortable With Getting Vaccinated

by Ni'Kesia Pannell

When I was a kid, heading to the doctor to get shots was my least favorite thing. If I'm being quite honest, I still hate getting them till this day. I think that, had I received a little info about shots and vaccinations when I was younger, it would have helped me get over my fear. That's why having books to get your kid comfortable with getting vaccinated is important, in my opinion.

As an adult, I can say that my fear stems from not being properly educated on what vaccinations were for and why they were important when I was younger. That's why it's important for my to educate my niece and future children about why they are getting vaccinations. Adults tend to just tell children that they have to do something without providing any sort of explanation (and occasionally resulting to the degrading "I told you so.") But I believe that giving them background information on vaccinations and the reasons why they are important will help get them comfortable with getting them.

Whether you're looking for a way to open up the dialogue on vaccination importance or needing to expand your little one's knowledge, these seven books will help do that.

1

'You Wouldn't Want To Live Without Vaccinations!' by Anne Rooney

Giving a little history on how vaccinations began, why they work, and why the are important, You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Vaccinations would be a great place to start when getting your child comfortable with getting shots.

2

'Arthur's Chicken Pox' by Marc Brown

Though Arthur's Chicken Pox doesn't discuss vaccinations outright, Marc Brown's book can be a way to open up the conversation with your little one.

3

'Vaccinations' by Dr. Alvin Silverstein, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein Nunn

In the book Vaccinations, the Silversteins help students in grades four through six understand what vaccinations are, why they are important, the function of skin, and much more. Giving them a range of information to have about their bodies, Vaccinations is a good book to develop their knowledge.

4

'Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio' by Peg Kehret

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio chronicles Peg Kehret's journey of getting polio, surviving it, and learning to walk again because of it. A story of courage and hope, this book is perfect to open them up to the different diseases and start the dialogue on why vaccinations are important.

5

'Itchy, Itchy Chicken Pox' by Grace Maccarone

Itchy, Itchy Chicken Pox by Grace Maccarone helps children understand what to expect when it comes to chicken pox in a way that's easy to digest. It can also help parents discuss why getting vaccines can be helpful in preventing chicken pox.

6

'Max Greene And The Vaccine Team' by Lindsay Douglass, Sam O'Neil, and Matt Speer

Max Greene and the Vaccine Team is an adorable story about a flu vaccine named Max who is ready to protect all the children from bad viruses. When he finds out children don't like vaccines, he decides to quit and give up his dreams of helping all the children. A great book on courage and show children why vaccines are important, Max Greene should be on every parent's list.

7

'The Shots Book: A Little Brother's Superhero Tale' by Ethan Posard

The Shots Book: A Little Brother's Superhero Tale is written from the perspective of another child, making it easy for kids to relate to. Written by Ethan Posard, the teenager explains through a book based on his real life experiences how vaccines work and why they protect your health and the health of others.