Leo Gets a Checkup
Anna McQuinn, author
Anna McQuinn is the author of more than twenty books for children, including Wanda's Washing Machine (Tiger Tales), Lola at the Library, and more. She also works part-time as a librarian, running family book groups. Anna lives in Slough, England. Learn more about Anna here.
Ruth Hearson, illustrator
Ruth Hearson has illustrated and written several children's books, including Cinnamon's Fairy Sleepover and Knitted by Grandma. She lives in England. Learn more about Ruth here.
Kirkus Reviews
In this episode in the life of toddler Leo, younger brother to Lola (Lola Reads to Leo, 2012, etc.), his parents take him to the doctor's office for a checkup. Leo, a brown boy with tightly curled hair, dressed in a onesie and holding onto a table, "is a big boy now." His mother and father, who are exactly the same shade of brown, are in the background as Leo feeds himself, plays ball, sings, and dances. When it is time to go, he "puts his toys away" and gets "his blankie and Mister Seahorse." Daddy packs a bag and brings him to the clinic, where Leo sits on the floor playing with Mister Seahorse while they wait for their turn. (This doctor evidently has a separate well-child waiting room, as every soul in the diverse gathering is smiling happily—there's not a runny nose in sight.) When it is Leo's turn, he shows his doctor, a white woman, "what he can do now." He gets a sticker and a book and gets checked all over. He even continues smiling while he gets his shot, which "will keep him healthy." The rounded features and shining, rosy cheeks of the invariably smiling characters make for a pleasant trip with Leo through his safe and welcoming world. A helpful way to prepare toddlers for a visit to the doctor with a character who's easy to love.
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-891-1
E-book
ISBN: 978-1-63289-765-7 EPUB
ISBN: 978-1-63289-766-4 PDF
Ages: 0-3
Page count: 24
8 x 8
Correlated to Common Core State Standards:
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 1. Standards 1-4, 6-8, 10
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 2. Standards 1-4, 6-8, 10