Nearly 500,000 adenotonsillectomies will be performed on children this year. Will you be ready?
The new 3rd Edition of this bestselling book helps parents understand and organize the necessary medical and emotional components that accompany their child’s surgery. In an easy to follow timeline for events prior to and following a tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, the authors provide reassuring and accurate guidance that eases the process for the patient and family. As caregivers, you will:
- Get the facts about tonsils and adenoids in simple terms.
- Reduce your own anxiety about surgery and recovery.
- Learn how to best support your child through the medical and emotional events surrounding the procedure.
- Have scripts available to guide your conversations with all of your children.
- Discover the sequence of events leading up to surgery and how to prepare for them.
- Find out what you need to have at home while your child recuperates.
- Understand and respond to any unforeseen complications.
- Become confident that you have maximized your child’s comfort and adjustment during the weeks surrounding surgery.
Read what Goodreads has to say about it …
From the back cover: (click on the image for a larger view)
“A handy and valuable guide for parents who face the ultimate decision to have their child undergo a surgery, this book unravels the fear, answers the questions and makes it understandable and reassuring. It is much needed in the field and its joyful illustrations make it easy to follow and comprehend.”
— Donna Geffner, Ph.D., Ed.D (Hon.), CCC-SP/A, Past president of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
“When reading the book, you feel as if Dr. Laurie is right in front of you and leading you through the whole process. This book provides a useful, simple and straight forward approach for parents and children to deal with the anxiety that precedes any surgery.”
— Zev Ash, M.D., F.A.A.P. (pediatrician)
“As owners and directors of a nursery school and summer camp for the past 27 years, we are often asked how to prepare a child for a medical procedure. This book is an excellent roadmap for parents on preparing not only your child, but also yourself, for a scary and often intimidating experience.”
— Adam & Amy Langbart, owners of /Merrick Woods Country Day School and Camp, Merrick, NY
“The use of actual possible scripts to use with your child to help explain procedures and ease a child’s anxiety, well organized helpful to-do lists and timelines serve to make this a required read and practical guide for parents or any caregiver with a child about to undergo a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.”
— Steven H. Blaustein Ph.D, CCC, BCS-CL, Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Specialist – Child Language
“This book spells out in clear and concise language what parents need to know and how to prepare children for the surgery. Suggestions on how to talk to children in developmentally appropriate language will be especially helpful to parents. I enthusiastically recommend this book to parents of children facing this medical procedure.”
— David A. Crenshaw, Ph.D., ABPP, Board Certified Clinical Psychologist, Author, Clinical Director of the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie
Publisher is Loving Healing Press
Fig. 2: Uvula as an acrobat –
illustration for children Click on image for a larger view
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Recent Reviews
Great resource for parents
February 5, 2019
This book gives parents a great deal of medical information, as well as ideas on how to explain the subject to young children. It is not a book for the children themselves, although it has wonderful illustrations to share with the child – it even offers some direct quotes to use to begin conversations about different parts of the procedure. My favorite resource is the list of suggested items to have on hand at home after the surgery to make recovery easier on everyone. There is also a list of children’s books about the subject.
Such a Great Resource!
February 5, 2019
I have read a previous book by this same author (Please Explain ‘Terrorism’ to Me) and enjoy how these books provide easy-to-use ways to explain difficult topics to kids.
The books look like they are children’s picture books, and while there are some pictures, the books are definitely geared towards parents and helping parents find ways to explain topics – such as going through a Tonsillectomy and an Adenoidectomy. As a parent who hasn’t gone through it myself, I wouldn’t have the slightest idea how to start if my children needed to go through it. Fortunately for me, Please Explain Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy to Me provides easy to understand terminology and vocabulary so that not only can I understand it, but also I can better explain it to my children (or a child).
The author does an amazing job sharing knowledge so caregivers may process and share the information with children. I have found these Please Explain books to be a great help in assisting with those tricky topics about which children tend to inquire!
Perfect
February 4, 2019
First, let me say despite the cover this is *not* a picture book, so if that is what you’re looking for, you’ll be disappointed.
I was very impressed by the book itself. It’s perfect for caregivers of children about to undergo a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Not only are the basics of the procedure covered, but there is also a timeline of when to talk to your child about the procedure. The wording is easier for a child to understand and the back of the book includes a checklist and fact sheet of important info. This book is perfect not just for talking to your child but also for preparing yourself.
Know a child that will need their tonsils and/or adenoids removed – a must read
February 4, 2019
Having never had my tonsils or adenoids removed – just the thought of it is frightening to me even as an adult – I can just imagine how terrified a young child would be. This book definitely gives great suggestions, in my opinion, about how to help alleviate at least some of those fears – and not only for the child, but for the parents and siblings as well.
It gives a step-by-step plan on how to broach the subject gently. Of course, not everyone will have the time to slowly go through all the suggestions…but as many as you can do, do!! The illustrations are easy to view and won’t scare a child. The suggestion to play “Operation” and to read books on the subject to ease the child into acceptance makes sense.
If you or someone you know has a child that will need their tonsils and/or adenoids removed, I suggest that you read this!
Informative for parents
January 31, 2019
I really enjoyed Zelinger’s previous Please Explain books and found this one to be on par with the others. It was jam packed with information for parents, and from start to finish, the book walks you through the procedure with ease. The author breaks down the process of explaining to your child into four phases: introducing the topic to your child (1 -2 months before surgery), tackling the subject (3/4 weeks before surgery), getting ready (2/3 weeks before surgery) and the day of the surgery.
There is also a preparation list and possible complications that can arise from the surgery towards the end. This is a much more parental book as opposed to the other, with lots of medical terminology, but there are child friendly explanations throughout to help guide you. I would suggest you read through it first and then tackle the subject with your child.
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy aren’t as common here in the UK as they used to be, but this will definitely be a handy book for me to have in case the need ever arises with any of my kids.
Great Explanations and Photographs!
January 29, 2019
I really enjoyed exploring this book. As a teacher, sometimes students find out they are having surgery and are scared. This book is a great resource to share with parents and to use when talking to a student who is about to undergo surgery.
I found it really interesting how the authors make the child a part of the conversation and remind parents not to have the initial conversation in front of their child. So many parents give into those fears and discuss it on the car ride home, scaring a child A gentle reminder to have the conversation behind closed doors and to show the child a united front are key to reassuring a child.
From start to finish, this book walks families through the procedure and I cannot wait to read more from these authors.
Recommended Reading
Reading books can be a great way to help prepare you and your child for the surgical experience. Below is a list of books by age group that we find helpful for many families.
Bridwell, Norman: Clifford Visits the Hospital
Jennings, Sharon: Franklin Goes to the Hospital
Zelinger, Laurie: The “O, My” in Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy: how to prepare your child for surgery, a parent’s manual
5 out of 5
by Laura from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
This is an excellent guide for parents whose child will (or might) undergo tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. The author, a school psychologist, play therapist, and parent of four who has had one of her own sons experience this procedure, certainly knows what she is talking about.
This book is well organized and prepares a family to cope with these medical procedures. It comes with a useful preparation list, a bibliography for additional reading, and a caregiver’s section that can be filled out with important medical info and kept handy. Dr. Laurie Zelinger gives practical advice every step of the way, showing parents what to expect from the day they are told their child will need the operation to post-surgery recovery.
For example, she states that when parents first get the news that their child needs surgery, it is best “not to discuss the topic on the ride home. Children do not need to hear both sides of a situation, or any concerns that you may have.” How true! And how wise. This will avoid building fear in the child from the onset. I also loved the suggestion of providing the recovering child with a bell to summon the parent since they won’t be able to call out. It seems the author thought of everything.
Throughout the advice found in the pages of this book, I saw respect for the child as a person. Although this book is not meant to be read to a child (I initially thought it was when I requested it for review because it was categorized under books for children of Pre-K age), the parent can still show the illustrations and summarize the explanations especially prepared for telling their children why they need to have their tonsils or adenoids removed.
This book is reassuring, comforting and helps to alleviate any fears regarding these procedures. I would highly recommend it to any parent who wants to be prepared to help their child face a difficult situation smoothly and confidently.
Pookie and the Boys
As a mom you never want your child to be sick or to feel bad, or even to have to go through a surgery. Then one day you realize that they are suffering more days being sick than they need to and the cost of missing work is getting to be almost as much as the medical bills.
My son has finally surpassed the amount of “needed” bouts with strep and has been set up for a tonsillectomy. I was a little nervous about what to expect and how to explain it to him. Thankfully I was blessed with the opportunity to review the book , The O, My in TonsillectOMY & AdenoidectOMY for Surgery by Laurie Zelinger. I jumped at the chance to get my briefing on the ups and downs of the surgery pre- and post-operatively.
She keeps it very basic with steps on how to explain it to the child without causing immediate panic. I wasn’t worried about my son panicking, I was worried about me! I got ideas on how to approach the subject with him, pep talks for use prior to the surgery, all the way up to days before and the day of surgery. She gave me the “right” words to say so as to help my son understand what will be happening on his level. There is even a wonderful checklist in the back of the book to help with remembering what to bring to the surgery. Her “ultimate preparation list” looks like it has everything covered!
Her post-operative care was detailed and very helpful. I am thankful to have something I can refer to just in case I might forget what to do. Things like propping extra pillows under him while he sleeps, keeping him on his side to help with breathing. There [are] also signs she lists to watch for just in case you’re not sure, things like fevers, dehydration, and infection.
I love this book and definitely recommend it to any moms who may be on the path of their child having this surgery. The book was easy to read, laid out wonderfully, and everything was explained in simple terms for you to understand. Thumbs up to Dr. Zelinger and her wonderful book.
I received a copy of this book to review. All comments are reflections based solely on my opinions.
The “O, MY” in TonsillectOMY and AdenoidectOMY: How to Prepare Your Child for Surgery,
Second Edition by Laurie Zelinger: Book Review
Parenting and Family – Rating: Unrated
Reader Views – Book review, by readers, for readers
The “O, MY” in TonsillectOMY and AdenoidectOMY: How to Prepare Your Child for Surgery, Second Edition
Loving Healing Press (2011)
ISBN 9781615990535
Reviewed by Marissa Libbit for Reader Views
The ‘O, MY’ in TonsillectOMY and AdenoidectOMY by Laurie Zelinger, Ph.D., is a book designed to educate parents about the procedures, what to expect on the day of surgery, and what happens in the days after. The book is divided into four phases: “Introducing the Topic to Your Child”, “Tackling the Subject”, “Getting Closer, Getting Ready”, and “The Day of Surgery- It’s Here!” Following the four phases is a preparation list and a special section about rare, but possible complications.
Dr. Zelinger has written a clear, specific guide to aide parents in describing the what, when, why, and how of having a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. There is a countdown of what to tell your child beginning at a 1-2 months period prior to surgery to the day of surgery. Specific dialogues are suggested to give parents a practice sheet of sorts to initiate conversation about what the child should expect.
As a parent of two children that have had their tonsils and adenoids removed, I can attest to the missing information I had before surgery and how nervous the lack of knowledge made me. I remember having a very thin pamphlet to read. Dr. Zelinger’s book would have not only alleviated any anxiousness my children may have had, but it would have given me confidence and peace of mind about what to expect the day of surgery and immediately following. One child had no complications while the other threw up, suffered worse pain, and had nightmares. This book lays out the possible side effects my child experienced which would have put me more at ease. “The ‘O, MY’ in TonsillectOMY and AdenoidectOMY” is a must read for parents of future tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy patients and ENT’s who perform the surgeries.
Moomettes Magnificents: This is an informative reference source for parents, grandparents or daycare providers to sooth a child’s fears before undergoing surgery for a Tonsillectomy or Adenoidectomy.
