Overview

What's Wrong with Tom? A veterinary tale of compassion, courage, and a cat in crisis. When playful Tom the cat suddenly falls ill, it takes a devoted family, a clever vet crew, and a dash of feline courage to unravel the mystery. Thomas LeBrat is a fun-loving cat who fills his home with joy and laughter. But when a sudden health emergency strikes, Tom's carefree world turns upside down. With support from his attentive family and the skilled team at the Critter Care Crew, the mystery of Tom's illness begins to unfold. Written in playful rhyme by a veterinarian and homeschool mom, What's Wrong with Tom? is the first book in the Critter Care Crew series. This heartwarming story blends imagination with real-world insight-helping children explore pet health, empathy, and the importance of working together. A surprise storytelling element gives readers a glimpse into Tom's thoughts and feelings, encouraging emotional connection and deeper understanding of what pets might experience when they're sick or stressed. Perfect for ages 4-8, classrooms, and animal-loving families, this engaging picture book includes: A gentle introduction to veterinary care and pet emergencies Social-emotional learning through empathy, advocacy, and teamwork A memorable story experience filled with rhythm, heart, and humor A creative way to spark conversations about caring for others Bonus content includes: A kid-friendly glossary of veterinary terms A visual stress management guide to support emotional resilience Free educational resources for teachers, caregivers, and homeschoolers Whether you're preparing a child for their first vet visit or simply sharing a story rooted in kindness, What's Wrong with Tom? fosters curiosity, confidence, and compassion-for pets and people alike.

Full Product Details

9781967320912

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Dr. Chivvis not only entertains youngsters with her storytelling, but she also educates them. This book is an investment in young readers' vocabulary, animal care, and empathy. "" Reader's Favorite 5 star review, Peggy Jo Wipf ""Beyond its entertainment value, What's Wrong with Tom? is a valuable resource for teaching children about pet health and the importance of seeking help when needed. Dr. Chivvis's passion for educating families shines through, making this book a wonderful addition to any child's library."" Reader's Favorite 5 star review, Carol Thompson ""The writing is smooth and easy to follow, making what may be perceived as scary medical situations accessible, and the story itself strikes a perfect balance of warmth and clarity... As a parent to both a cat and human children, I found this book excellent for easing anxieties about veterinary visits, and using the example of Tom's urinary issue and his brave trip to the emergency vet goes a long way in teaching important health concepts."" Reader's Favorite 5 star review, Asher Syed ""Young readers are going to love Tom. He is playful, fun, and adventurous, and he finds the resilience and strength to heal and recover with the help of his parents. The rhymes are light-hearted and easy to read. The illustrations are beautiful, and they bring out Tom's personality perfectly. Parents should definitely introduce this book to their kids, especially in homes with cats. Highly recommended!"" Reader's Favorite 5 star review, Pikasho Deka ""I loved that the author used this book as a means of enlightening readers like me on feline interstitial cystitis, a condition in some male cats that I never knew about until I picked up this book. Also, the glossary section was quite educational. The story features themes of compassion, teamwork, courage, and more. I recommend What's Wrong with Tom? by Dr. Gal Chivvis, DVM, to all pet owners and fans of children's books."" Reader's Favorite 5 star review, Stewart Brian

Author Information

Dr. Gal Chivvis began her writing journey after the birth of her first child, when she felt a strong desire to add to the magic of storytelling by creating a children's book. The idea felt impossible at the time-but years later, she found a way to blend her love of stories with her veterinary background, and things took off from there.Since then, she's created educational coloring books for kids and adults, a pet-themed activity book, and The Dog Owner's Guide to Health Emergencies, which received the Literary Titan Gold Book Award. She also launched CritterCareCollective.com, a website offering trusted, veterinarian-approved pet education. And the picture book that started it all What's Wrong with Tom, the first in her children's picture book series will be launching launched in 2025.Dr. Chivvis believes in transparency, keeping things real, and embracing the beautiful mess of life. Between working as a veterinarian, homeschooling, and spending time with her husband, two kids, and three Pomeranians, she's no stranger to chaos. She takes on an ambitious number of projects, rarely gets enough sleep, and is almost always multitasking. Luckily, she has a good sense of humor-and just enough stubbornness to keep going.

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