Shots, injections, needles, and vaccines - whatever their purpose, they all hurt. More than half of children in the six-to-17-year-old range report a strong fear of needles. Nearly 25 percent of adults do as well. This book is for those families who cringe at the thought of getting one.

For some children, getting a shot is a major ordeal. Ramped-up anxiety can lead to tantrums, meltdowns, outbursts, and even fainting. That 30-second experience can be a nightmare for parents and nursing staff alike. This resource will help to improve that dreaded scenario.

The book opens with an engaging story for children where rhyme and characters of diversity capture a child's interest as they identify with a girl who has similar fears. The children's section is followed by a comprehensive guide for parents and caregivers based on empirical research, as well as Dr. Zelinger's decades of experience as a child psychologist, where she offers information and explicit solutions to help deal with the anxiety surrounding this common medical procedure.

Children will:

• Identify with the main character and her fear of shots
• Enjoy the happy story ending
• Learn coping mechanisms to deal with frightening situations
• Feel supported by their parents, who will know how to help
• Reduce their anxiety and become more cooperative during medical visits

Parents and caregivers will:

• Understand the reasoning behind the fear of injections
• Learn strategies to help their child before and during a medical visit
• Be better able to comfort their child