"The Gentle Pen" - For All the "Littles" in the Hospital

Brave Hearts and Bedside Stories: A Storybook for Kids in the Hospital

by Liv McLean

www.livmclean.com

There’s a quiet kind of courage found in the pediatric ward. It’s in the eyes of a child watching nurses move like superheroes. It’s in the tight squeeze of a parent’s hand. And it’s in the quiet hush that falls when a storybook is opened—offering a world beyond IV poles and beeping monitors.

As a children’s author, I’ve always believed that stories can take us anywhere. And sometimes, they take us exactly where we need to be—especially when we’re stuck somewhere we don’t want to be.

That’s why I wrote “Philip Phun” —a story crafted especially for kids who are spending time in the hospital. Whether it’s for a day, a week, or many months, it’s a story filled with hope, imagination, and a main character who proves you don’t have to leave your hospital bed to go on an adventure.

Philip is brave, even when he doesn’t feel like it. He faces surgery with the help of a little humour, a lot of questions, and the magic of a very unexpected visitors. Through Philip’s story, children are reminded that they’re not alone, that it’s okay to be scared, and that healing happens in both the body and the heart.

Why Hospital Stories Matter

Books are more than entertainment for children in the hospital—they’re lifelines. Stories help explain the unfamiliar. They bring laughter into sterile rooms. They offer companionship, distraction, and a much-needed sense of normalcy. In stories, kids see themselves not just as patients, but as heroes, artists, adventurers, and dreamers.

This storybook, and others like it, were created with purpose and love—to bring comfort, joy, and a little light into long days and long nights.

A Gift for Families and Care Teams

“Philip Phun” is designed to help parents, nurses, child life specialists, and therapists start meaningful conversations. It reassures young readers, invites questions, and gently, upliftingly encourages bravery.

For parents, it’s a moment to exhale—a chance to share a story together, to see their child smile, and to know they’ve brought a bit of normal into an otherwise overwhelming time. Being a parent of very active boys I don't even remember how many trips to the hospital we made while those fellows were growing up - even if your child is not expecting a hospital visit - by reading Philip Phun with your child, you can certainly prepare them for what a hospital event may be like, and take the stress out of what may transpire at some time in their lives.

Available Now

This book is for you if you know a child facing a hospital stay—or if you work in a healthcare setting. There is also the very kind gesture of purchasing Philip Phun and walking into the pediatric ward to donate this book to one of the brave "Littles" going through a battle one could never imagine. It feels good to give, and by giving to children, it brings blessings beyond anything you could imagine.

Whether read Philip Phun aloud or quietly under the covers, it’s a story that reminds every child: You are strong. You are loved. And you are never alone.

You can find “Philip Phun” and other purpose-driven children’s books at www.livmclean.com.

Because stories heal, too.

With Gentle Hugs,

Liv McLean