Book Nook: Jake's Kindergarten Checkup

Many children and their parents dread the annual physical. Kids are sometimes worried about what will happen, and scared of getting shots. However, these appointments are helpful health checkups and can even be fun.

Award-winning pediatrician Dr. Chrystal de Freitas (affectionately known as “Dr. Dee” to her patients) has taken all she’s learned in her more than 34 years in practice and provides fresh, fun, and applicable tips for taking the “scary” out of checkups in her brand new children’s book Jake’s Kindergarten Checkup, beautifully illustrated by Tammie Lyon.

In it, Dr. de Freitas addresses:

• The steps involved in a pediatric checkup – what kids can expect
• How parents can help prepare their child for a doctor visit
• Techniques to make shots less scary for everyone
• Ways to ensure a checkup is educational and fun for children
• The value of sibling support
• And much more

I had a chance to review the book, which was a very informative look at those well-child checkups for kids and parents alike, and can really help ease the fears associated with going to the doctor.

Dr. Chrystal de Freitas is an author, mother, and pediatrician with a special interest in health education. While Jake’s Kindergarten Checkup is her first picture book, she has authored several other well received books and educational material in her field.

A pediatrician for over 34 years, Dr. de Freitas is the founder of Carmel Valley Pediatrics. She is also the President of Healthy Chats®, which provides health education seminars to parents and their pre­teen children in the community at the local hospitals and online. Among her honors and achievements, she has been selected by the San Diego County Medical Society and San Diego Magazine as one of the area’s top doctors. Dr. de Freitas lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, Dr. Jeff Bonadio. They have three adult children.

Learn more about Dr. de Freitas and Jake’s Kindergarten Checkup at http://JakesKindergartenCheckup.com and connect with the author on Facebook and Twitter.

Jake’s Kindergarten Checkup can be purchased from http://JakesKindergartenCheckup.com, Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com.