'Come and visit every day,

Stay and have a chat.

Tell me how my brother is,

and did you feed the cat?'

This collection of poems and rhymes helps to make being sick a little less scary.

Everyone hates going to the doctor – taking their medicine, having their temperature taken, maybe having to go for surgery. None of it’s any fun.

Beautifully illustrated, with poems about things like broken bones, the chickenpox and having an injection, and with characters that will make young readers laugh and smile.

Children can sing along to Owen’s Broken Bone Blues, meet Ultan Ulrich Ultrasound  (he can look right into your insides with his magical powers!) and Eliza Analyser, who looks at all your cells under the microscope.

Originally written in Latvian by Inese Zandere, translated and retold by award-winning Irish poet Catherine Ann Cullen. Illustrations throughout by Reinis Pētersons.

Published with support from the Latvian Writers’ Union

'Sure to make even the most reluctant patient smile, this book of wonderful rhymes is just what the doctor ordered!' – Dr Louise Gallagher, Doctor of Children's Literature

‘Winter colds don’t stand a chance against Inese Zandere’s delightful poems … [her] rich reframing of illness, from the common cold to more serious, hospital-worthy woes, should force a smile from the most miserable patient, while Reinis Petersons’s illustrations will also gladden the heart.’ – The Irish Times

‘What a beautiful collection of poems for the younger years, wonderfully produced with fantastic illustrations!’ – Enda Wyley, Irish poet

‘This lovely collection of poetry addresses all the fears and feelings any child will naturally have when under the weather; from having to stay in bed all day to those icky germs that make us ill; from blood tests to broken bones. Light-hearted, whimsical characters and rhythmic, fun rhymes that are easy to remember will have the little patient smiling and singing along in no time. The expressive illustrations are zany, bright and colourful, filled with joy and humour. A wonderful way to bring warmth and comfort into the little patients’ experience.’ – Mary Esther Judy

Inese Zandere is one of the foremost poets for children in Latvia with five poetry collections to her name. She is also one of Latvian’s best-loved authors of novels and fiction, with over twenty novels published to date. Inese Zandere is also the chief editor and publisher at the Riga children’s publishing house, Liels un mazs.

About the Translator

Catherine Ann Cullen is a poet for both adults and children with two picture books and two collections of poetry previously published. She is the winner of multiple awards for poetry, including the Frances Ledwidge Award, and works in schools and libraries all over the country to promote and teach creative writing to young people.

About the Illustrator 

Pētersons’ first illustrated book was published in 2007, and since then he has established himself as one of the most productive contemporary illustrators in Latvia with over 20 children’s books under his belt. Pētersons style pays great attention to character detail, with authentic emotion captured through expressive faces and strong palettes. Pētersons uses both traditional and digital media.