Are you looking for picture books about getting sick? This post shares popular fiction books about sickness for kids that elementary teachers often use as read alouds. Some of the characters in these books suffer from the common cold like in Bob, Not Bob while others have fun and silly conditions like in A Bad Case of Stripes. All of the picture books on this list lend themselves to this topic really well. Take a peek below to learn more about these fiction books about sickness for kids!
5 Fiction Books about Sickness
Below is a list of some of our favorite fiction books about sickness for elementary students. Check them out below!
1. A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon is about a girl named Camilla. Camilla worries a lot about what people think of her. This is why she won’t eat her favorite food, lima beans. Camilla is horrified when she is picking out her first day of school outfit, and develops stripes all over her body.
Many different doctors and specialists come to Camilla’s house to try to cure her. Her stripes get worse and worse with every remedy they try. One day, an old woman comes to Camilla’s house and offers her some lima beans as a cure. Camilla won’t admit that she likes them, until the woman goes to leave. Camilla stops her and eats the beans, and her stripes go away!
Check out these A Bad Case of Stripes lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
2. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead is about Amos McGee, who wakes up and gets ready for his work each morning. He takes the bus to the zoo, where is has many friends waiting to see him. Although he is busy, Amos makes time to visit with each one of his zoo animal friends. He plays chess with the elephant, reads to the owl, and runs races with the tortoise. One day, Amos wakes up feeling too sick to go to work. The animals are anxiously waiting for him and start to worry.
Amos is surprised to see his animal friends at his house! They have come to take care of him! The rhino lends Amos a handkerchief when he sneezes, the owl reads him a story, and the penguin keeps his feet warm. After a cup of tea and spending time with his friends, Amos starts to feel better. The friends head to bed so they can get an early bus back to the zoo in the morning.
Check out these A Sick Day for Amos McGee lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
3. Bob, Not Bob by Audrey Vernick
Bob, Not Bob by Audrey Vernick is about how little Louie is sick with a terrible cold! His ears are blocked, his nose is stuffed, and he is hot and sweaty. Louie does not want to color, watch tv or shoot baskets. All he wants is his mother. Whenever he calls for his mom, his dog Bob comes running. That’s because Louie sounds different when his nose is stuffy. Everyone is having a hard time understanding Louie and mom and Bob keep getting mixed up.
Eventually, mom comes into Louie’s room and crawls into bed with him. The two spend the rest of the day sleeping. When Louie starts to feel better he is able to play with Bob again and can speak regularly. However, he hears Mom start to sneeze. Students will laugh out loud as they listen to this book that should be read as though you have a cold.
Check out these Bob, Not Bob lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
4. Sick Simon by Dan Krall
Sick Simon by Dan Krall is about Simon who loves school, but he woke up on Monday with a cold. He wasn’t going to let being sick stop him.
Simon spread his germs to all his friends, and eventually everyone was out sick. The germs came to thank Simon, and he learned the importance of staying clean and safe. Simon rested over the weekend, washed his hands, and drank lots of fluids. When he went back to school the next week, he was healthy and everyone was happy to see him!
Check out these Sick Simon lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
5. Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson
In Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson, it’s a windy fall day and Bear is alone in his cave. He is feeling achy and sneezy. Bear’s friends come over to see if he wants to play, but he tells them he is feeling sick. He can’t stop sneezing and wheezing and his friends find that he is feeling very hot.
Bears friends immediately start taking care of him. They ensure he is warm and cozy. Budget and Gopher feed Bear some broth and the friends make sure Bear sips some tea. Bear’s friends never leave his side.
Finally, Bear is able to fall asleep. When he wakes up, he feels so much better! Bear is ready to go outside and play. He wants to celebrate. However, that’s when his friends start to sneeze and wheeze. They’re sick now! Bear starts to take care of them right away, just like they did for him.
Check out these Bear Feels Sick lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
Grab the Free Reading Resources!
In closing, we hope you found this list of fiction books about sickness for kids helpful! They are part of our Starts With a Story collection. If you want to get more book ideas to read aloud to your elementary students, then grab this reading freebie. It includes read aloud books lists, reading logs, and reading challenges for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom teachers. It will have you covered for the entire school year, as well as the summer months! Grab this free elementary reading packet now!
