Sammy’s Broken Leg (Oh No!) and the Amazing Cast That Fixed It
Judith Wolf Mandell, Author
Lise C. Brown, Illustrator
Harpeth Ridge Press, Fiction, Dec. 7, 2016
Suitable for Ages: 2-6
Themes: Broken Leg, Wearing a cast, Doctors, Family, Support, Love
Opening: Sammy ran and twirled and skipped. Then she jumped on her trampoline. It was too late! Sammy stumbled and toppled off!
Synopsis: Sammy loved to bounce high on her trampoline until one day she tumbled off. Her parents took her to the hospital where doctors told them Sammy had broken the bone in her thigh. Doctors fitted Sammy with a purple fiberglass body cast until she healed. When Sammy woke up and tried to sit up, she couldn’t. She had difficulty sleeping. Her clothes didn’t fit. She couldn’t use the potty by herself. She missed her baths. She was bored.
Mommy hung a calendar on the wall so they could check off the days until her cast would be removed. Family and friends came to visit bearing treats and presents. They played games with Sammy to help lift her spirits.
Finally the day arrived when Sammy returned to the hospital to have her leg x-rayed. The doctors said Sammy’s leg was healed and that they would remove her body cast. She was so happy to be free of her cast until she discovered her leg muscles were weak and she couldn’t sit up or stand by herself. Sammy was determined and resourceful. Every day she grew stronger until she was once again her happy self.
Why I like this book:
Judith Wolf Mandell has written a sweet and original story that is a perfect gift book for a child with a broken limb. It is a timely and realistic story about what it’s like to wear a cast. Sammy’s story soothes, entertains and informs children and their families about what to expect while wearing a cast. All of the medical procedures Sammy undergoes are accurately described and will help reduce a child’s anxiety. The story also tackles a child’s fears and emotions which will vary depending upon how confined they are by their cast. It provides parents with many tips to help their child during the recovery process.
The author creates a thousand bazillion surprise kisses that only Sammy can hear that both comfort and cheer her during her recovery. It is a clever way of showing all the get-well wishes Sammy receives from those who love her and want her to heal.
Lise C. Brown’s illustrations are colorful, quirky and lively. Sammy’s expressions are priceless. They will boost any child’s mood.
Judith Wolf Mandell was inspired to write Sammy’s Broken Leg (Oh, No!) and the Amazing Cast That Fixed It after her young granddaughter fell and had to wear a partial body cast. When she couldn’t find a book to help her granddaughter, she wrote one. Mandell is a professional writer.
A body cast would be difficult for an active child to deal with. A book like this would help!
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Yes, it certainly would be helpful for a young child wearing a cast and ease some anxiety about having it removed.
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A unique topic for sure. I had a student in a full body cast once. He was so embarrassed and didn’t want anyone to see him like that but the kids were very understanding. Thanks for the review. 😀
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Yes, it is one of a few books available to kids wearing casts — a very common injury. I’m glad the author wrote a book to help young children.
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My dentist’s granddaughter was stuck in a body cast. She was about 4 yrs. old and I can’t imagine how uncomfortable she must have been. She fell off the monkey bars. I’m sure this book will be helpful for kids, not just those stuck in casts.
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Yes, I agree. This book is helpful for kids with or without a cast. It helps them understand what someone goes through.
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Great topic for a children’s book!
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Thank you! I agree that it is a great topic for kids.
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I’ve known a few younger kids in a cast and this book would certainly help them in their recovery. Thanks for the recommend.
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Yes, I believe it would help kids during their recovery and encourage a little compassion from siblings.
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I can’t wait to find this book. I think it will be a great mentor text. Thanks for highlighting it, Patricia.
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It carries such an uplifting message for children who are wearing a cast.
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I love it when authors find a unique but needed topic.
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Me too! There are only a few books that feature kids wearing a cast.
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Ouch! A body cast sounds tough. Once I had a bandage on my tail for a couple of months. Even THAT was tough for me! I wish I had this book then….
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Can’t imagine a full body cast on a wiggly young child. I wore a cast from my foot to my hip many years ago, and it was tricky.
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I’m sure this book would have been welcomed by me when I was a small child in a cast. That said, I believe this will be a welcomed book for many parents and in many classrooms.
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Yes, there is a need for such a positive book for kids about broken bones and casts.
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What a difficult situation for a little one to face. How lovely that her grandmother wrote a book to help her, and others in similar situations, cope.
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That’s what grandmothers do. I thought it was such a sweet thing to do for her granddaughter and for many other children.
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