Natalie Burns’ new children’s books help young minds navigate the complexities of a parent’s hospital stay and beyond, with love and imagination.
When Life Gets Tough, Imagination Can Help
For children, the world can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with the complexities of a loved one’s surgery approaching. This is where Natalie Burns’ new book, Mommy Goes to the Hospital, steps in, a story full of love, magic, and comfort for young children grappling with the fear of the unknown. Inspired by her own experience preparing her children for her upcoming surgery, Burns wanted a story that could help her kids understand what she was about to go through. She wanted to prepare her children for things like stitches, and what her recovery at home around her children would look like. Most importantly, she wanted them to feel comfortable asking her questions about her surgery, and answering them to the best of her ability, in an age-appropriate context. How does one explain something as complex as a surgery to a four-year-old?
This children’s book is the first in her Tales from Mommy’s Heart series, a collection designed to help young children process big feelings and common anxieties using the power of imagination. But what makes Mommy Goes to the Hospital truly special is its balance between lighthearted fantasy and a very real, very human experience.
Turning Fear into Fantasy: The Birth of a Book
The idea for Mommy Goes to the Hospital was born out of necessity. As Burns faced surgery, she searched for a book that could help explain the situation to her children in a way they could understand and embrace. However, most books available focused on medical terminology or a child’s surgery, which didn’t address her needs. She needed a story that was not only age-appropriate, but uplifting. Fun. Simple. With big, complex concepts such as surgery, stitches, surgeons, etc. she wanted something easy for her young children to understand. She also wanted her children to feel comforted during a time of uncertainty and unease for them.
After a failed search for the book she was craving, with a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing, plus a passion for reading to her own children, Burns felt a calling to write the book herself. Burns created a fictional tale that mixes the magic of imagination with the real-life anxieties of kids facing difficult situations. In Mommy Goes to the Hospital, a mother prepares for surgery, and through the power of imagination, the hospital transforms into an enchanted castle, filled with wonder and warmth. Burns really wanted to convey the importance and kindness of the real life-medical professionals in the industry. Using a touch of magic, she created fictional characters that children can adore, a surgeon-wizard, a fairy-godmother nurse, and more. The story’s charming, poetic language, paired with playful illustrations, serves as both a source of comfort and a fun escape for young readers.
A Resource for Families in Need
Mommy Goes to the Hospital is a fictional tale, geared for ages 3 to 7. While this story makes a great read before bedtime for all children, it also serves as a great resource for families navigating big challenges in their lives. Maybe a grandparent is staying overnight at the hospital for a procedure. Maybe mom has a C-section. Maybe a neighbor had their appendix removed. Maybe a sibling needs stitches from falling off a bike. How do we explain these big, complex circumstances to little ones? Burns hopes to help families navigate questions such as these in her book for young children.
Mommy Goes to the Hospital has received praise for its heartwarming ability to tackle a common, yet often overlooked, topic with sensitivity and imagination. It has the potential to be a treasured resource for any family with young children navigating the challenges of surgery, or other obstacles and challenges that life can throw at us.
New Adventures in the Tales from Mommy’s Heart Series: Love Travels with Mommy
Building on the success of Mommy Goes to the Hospital, Burns is also preparing to release her next book in the series, Love Travels with Mommy. This upcoming title continues the journey of exploring complex emotions, but this time, it tackles the theme of separation anxiety when a parent must travel for work. With her signature blend of some make-believe-imagination, and heartfelt storytelling, Love Travels with Mommy promises to be a comforting companion for children who struggle with the idea of their parent going away on a trip.
“Whether it’s a work trip, a visit to a family member, or a short-term absence, children often find it difficult to deal with the idea of being apart from a loved one,” said Burns. “I wanted to help children understand that even when Mommy is far away, her love still remains with them.”
Love Travels with Mommy is set to launch in the spring of 2026, bringing yet another opportunity for children to learn and grow through imagination, love, and the power of connection.
Why Read About Tales from Mommy’s Heart?
As a children’s author, Burns is committed to helping young children understand and navigate the emotions they may not yet have the vocabulary for. Her Tales from Mommy’s Heart series is designed to tackle anxieties of separation, fear of the dark, and more. She takes big obstacles little ones might face, and helps them navigate through their questions, and feelings. Burns’s work stands out because while her tales are fictional; parents and children alike can relate to them in real-life. The books offer not just storytelling, but tools for emotional growth and resilience.
Burns’s book has already received attention for its unique approach. While other children’s books cover similar themes, Mommy Goes to the Hospital sets itself apart with its focus on imagination rather than medical details. “I wanted the book to be a fun, whimsical experience,” Burns explained. “My goal wasn’t just to inform, but to comfort and create an experience that children could feel good about.”
A Promise of Comfort for Every Family
As Mommy Goes to the Hospital prepares for its February 2026 release, families can look forward to a new kind of children’s book, one that blends storytelling with emotional support, helping kids cope with what they may not fully understand. It’s a book for the anxious child, the curious sibling, and the parent who wants to comfort them through it all.
With a focus on imagination and unconditional love, this book helps prepare and comfort little hearts, when big worries arise.
Explore More About Tales from Mommy’s Heart and Natalie Burns
You can learn more about Natalie Burns and the Tales from Mommy’s Heart series by visiting her website at Tales from Mommy’s Heart. Follow her on Instagram at @natalieburnsbooks for updates, inspiration, and more heartwarming stories to help your children navigate life’s big emotions.
Visit the website and follow Natalie on Instagram today to join the journey of comfort, courage, and creativity.
