Sick Lit: Kids’ Books To Have On Hand for Sick Days
by Dena McMurdie
Schools are like amusement parks for germs, so it’s no wonder my kids get sick all the time. When my oldest daughter caught the latest illness going around, I gave her a dose of medicine, wrapped her in a blanket, and pulled out our “sick day” books.
A good book can help keep your mind off your discomfort and make you feel almost normal (at least for a little while). These are the books we read when someone in our family is feeling under the weather.
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Don’t You Feel Well, Sam?
Available from:Children and parents alike will relate to this gently humorous story about a bear who gets sick and refuses to take his medicine. Pair this book with its companion, Kiss Good Night, for extra snuggle time with your child.
(Ages 2 - 5)Also available from: -
Llama Llama Home with Mama
Available from:Who can resist the charming, easy rhymes of Anna Dewdney? This is a must-read for any kid (and their parents) on a sick day. Kids can relate to Llama Llama as he and his mama deal with illness.
(Ages 2 - 5)Also available from: -
Dr. Fauci: A Little Golden Book Biography
Available from:Introduce your child to America’s most famous doctor with this Little Golden Book biography. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy learning about Dr. Fauci’s life and how he helped America during the pandemic.
(Ages 2 - 5)Also available from: -
Bluey: The Doctor
Available from:Everyone’s favorite blue heeler goes to the doctor in this sweet and funny picture book. Honey and Bluey sit in the doctor’s waiting room, ready for their appointment. But as the room fills with other injured animals, Honey worries she will never see the doctor. An engaging storyline and familiar characters will make this book your go-to sick day read.
(Ages 3 - 5)Also available from: -
Get Well Soon, Spot
Available from:Sometimes seeing a familiar face can help us feel better. In this installment of the Spot series, everyone’s favorite puppy is under the weather. But when Mom and his friends come to help, Spot sees that being sick has its advantages. A sweet and easy read for the pre-K set.
(Ages 3 - 5)Also available from: -
Make Teddy Better
Available from:This interactive board book is a sweet story about helping someone else feel better and an excellent sick day activity. The plastic storage pouch includes felt pieces shaped like bandages, medicine, a thermometer, a cuddly toy, and more. Kids will love using the felt pieces to comfort Teddy while he recovers from an illness.
(Ages 3 - 5)Also available from: -
Doctor Fairy Tale
Available from:Kids will love guessing which fairy tale the characters in this charming picture book come from. Dr. Fairy Tale drives her little red car through the pages, stopping to help every fairy tale creature in need. When Dr. Fairy Tale falls ill herself, the people and creatures she helped gladly return the favor.
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
The Sniffles for Bear
Available from:Bear is a difficult patient. He's overly dramatic about his illness, even going so far as to write a will while Mouse patiently cares for him. This is a cute and funny story about the different ways people deal with illness.
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
That's Me Loving You
Available from:This is a wonderful book to snuggle up with when your child is feeling sick and in need of extra cuddles. Full of love and beautiful artwork, it's a comforting book for when you need it most.
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
Penguin Problems
Available from:Penguin is full of complaints until a wise walrus stops by and shows him how to focus on the good in life. This book is laugh-out-loud funny and perfect for those days when focusing on the positive proves difficult.
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
Even Yetis Get Colds
Available from:Yeti gets a cold every year, and it makes him grumpy. This year, Yeti’s best friend prepares for the impending cold, but it turns out that what Yeti needs most is a friend. This adorable picture book will capture your heart!
Also available from: -
Home
Available from:Kids usually spend sick days at home, resting. This gorgeous picture book celebrates the simple comforts of home, whether it’s an apartment, a boat, or a castle. Kids will love seeing the many types of homes found throughout the world.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
Haiku Kaiju Ah-Choo!
Available from:When a giant kaiju stomps into the city, everyone worries he is there to destroy it. But a clever boy realizes the kaiju is sick and needs his help. Written in haikus and jam-packed with monster tropes and humor, this comics-style picture book will keep young readers engaged through every page. It makes an excellent sick day read!
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
Roar-Choo!
Available from:The fierce and powerful dragon in this story can’t stop sneezing, while his friend the phoenix patiently tries to help. But Dragon is too stubborn to relax and let himself get better. Cheng has written a fun and relatable book about taking the time to slow down and to nourish oneself and one another while Santat's vibrant illustrations light up the characters with little nods to Chinese culture.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
Blippo and Beep: I Feel Funny
Available from:Kids learning to read independently will find much to love about this early reader story about a robot who catches a bug. His best friend tries to cheer him up in increasingly funny ways. This giggle-worthy story will appeal to fans of Elephant and Piggy.
(Ages 5 - 7)Also available from: -
Sick Day Jitters
Available from:When Mrs. Hartwell gets ill and misses a day of school, her class worries about who will substitute. As different teachers fill in for her, the students update Mrs. Hartwell through a series of messages. Young readers will relate to this heartfelt story about spending a day without their beloved teacher.
(Ages 5 - 8)Also available from: -
Mermicorns #4: Sniffles and Surprises
Available from:Lily is feeling under the weather and stuck in bed with a cold. She’s missing an exciting lesson at the Magic Academy and a fun afternoon at the clubhouse with her best friend Sirena. It seems like the day is a total bust — until Sirena and their mischievous kitten pals come up with a magical surprise! Can they turn Lily’s gloomy day into something truly special?
(Ages 6 - 9)Also available from:
You might also like:
- Fantastic Books About Wellness for Kids Ages 3 – 5
- Wash Your Hands! Books To Help Kids Understand Germs
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Germs
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2025.