Personalised book for child scan appointment: your child's calm hospital story

What happens in your child's Scan Appointment

1. Your child arrives at the hospital with their parent.
2. A staff member explains what will happen next.
3. Your child waits with a book, a drink and their parent nearby.
4. Your child follows the simple instructions for the scan.
5. Your child leaves feeling proud of how carefully they listened.

How the first page could read

Your child held their parent’s hand as the hospital doors opened. Inside, there were signs, chairs and people walking quietly along the corridors. “We’re here for your scan appointment,” said their parent. Your child took a slow breath and looked around. There was plenty of time, and their parent would stay close.

Your child’s name, look and little details replace these words, and the whole story is written for their age.

Why this story works

A scan appointment can involve unfamiliar rooms, waiting and instructions that a child may want to understand beforehand. This story gives your child a calm, practical preview without guessing what their own appointment will be like. The focus stays on recognisable moments: arriving together, listening to staff, waiting with a parent nearby and taking one step at a time. For children aged 5 to 10, the longer story can make space for questions and conversation while keeping the language clear. Their own face, name and chosen details turn the book into a familiar read before or after an appointment.

Reading it together

• Read it together a few days before the appointment, pausing whenever your child has a question.
• Use the waiting-room page to talk about what your child might like to bring or notice while they wait.
• Follow the hospital team’s own guidance for your child’s appointment, as this story is not medical advice.

Suggested art style: Storybook watercolour

Soft watercolour illustrations make hospital spaces feel clear, gentle and familiar without making them seem overly busy. A sidekick idea: a small, observant robin on a window ledge. You can pick any of the four styles and change the details in the form.