Families who loved The Tiger Has a Toothache: Helping Animals at the Zoo by Patricia Lauber often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is feeling anxious about an upcoming doctor or dentist visit, or if they are fascinated by the hidden lives of animals. By showing how even the mightiest tigers and largest gorillas need checkups and help to feel better, it gently normalizes medical care and the feeling of being vulnerable. This nonfiction narrative explains the specialized work of zoo veterinarians through real-life cases, from a tiger's dental surgery to a tortoise's shell repair. It emphasizes the empathy and teamwork required to care for creatures who cannot speak for themselves. The tone is informative yet reassuring, making it an excellent bridge for 6 to 9 year olds to understand that medical experts are helpers who use science to solve problems.
