What's Wrong With Tom?

A Veterinary Tale of Courage and Compassion

Children - Picture Book
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 08/13/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

What’s Wrong with Tom? by Dr. Gal Chivvis is a delightful and educational children’s book that combines storytelling with veterinary insights. The story follows Thomas LeBrat, a cheerful and adventurous cat whose life takes a sudden turn when he experiences a health emergency. Through engaging rhymes and vibrant illustrations, young readers are introduced to the importance of pet care and the role of veterinarians in helping animals during critical moments. The narrative begins with Tom’s happy-go-lucky life, filled with exploration and play, but quickly shifts when he wakes up feeling unwell. His family’s concern and their decision to seek help from the Critter Care Crew highlight the importance of recognizing signs of distress in pets and acting promptly.

Dr. Gal Chivvis skillfully blends humor, empathy, and medical knowledge, making complex concepts like urinary obstruction and cystitis easy for young children to understand. The glossary at the end of the book is a thoughtful addition, providing clear definitions of terms like "veterinarian," "bladder," and "catheter," which enhance the educational value of the story. The bonus section on calming stress further emphasizes the book’s focus on emotional well-being, not just for pets but for readers as well. The illustrations by Mischa Pearson are lively and colorful, perfectly complementing the text and bringing Tom’s journey to life. 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.

Peggy Jo Wipf

What's Wrong with Tom? A Veterinary Tale of Courage and Compassion by Dr. Gal Chivvis is a delightful book that children will enjoy reading. Thomas LaBrat is a happy cat who has everything a cat could want: a loving family and plenty of adventures to satisfy his curious nature. One day, however, he woke up feeling unwell. Tom was sick. Fortunately, his family recognized the signs and called the veterinarian. After a thorough examination, the vet knew what Tom needed and proceeded to help him. The silly cat learned new ways to stay healthy, all while making friends at the vet’s office.

Dr. Gal Chivvis’s love for her children, combined with her passion as a veterinarian, inspired her to start the Critter Care Collective. What's Wrong with Tom? is the first book in this series. 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. After reading this book, children will be more aware of how to care for their pets, especially cats. They will learn how stress can affect a pet and discover different methods to help a pet relax. This is one of the best-illustrated children's books I have ever read. Misha Pearson brings Thomas LaBrat to life through vibrant illustrations. I read it in ebook format, but it is also available in hardcover and paperback. I highly recommend this title to parents who appreciate educational children's books and who want to shape the lives of their children.

Stewart Brian

What's Wrong With Tom? A Veterinary Tale of Courage and Compassion by Dr. Gal Chivvis, DVM, is an excellent children's picture book that inspires kids and introduces them to veterinary care. Thomas LeBrat, a happy cat, woke up one morning feeling like something was wrong. A phone conversation between his parents and the Critter Care Crew indicated that Tom needed an emergency vet. After spending a whole day and a night in the hands of a capable medical crew, the mystery behind Tom’s sudden illness is unraveled; he is happy and back to exploring and pouncing. This informative book highlights the importance of animal health and wellness.

This book is brilliantly designed to meet the cognitive and intellectual needs of children in its detailed illustrations and simple sentences. The story is an intriguing way to introduce children to reading, and it can also be used as a bedtime story. Kids can learn positive lessons from the story about caring for pets. I found the writing to be concise, straightforward, and easy to comprehend. 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.

Pikasho Deka

What's Wrong With Tom? by Dr. Gal Chivvis is a children's picture book that follows the story of a sweet and fun-loving cat named Thomas "Tom" LeBrat. Tom is a happy cat who loves adventure and games. However, one morning, he wakes up to discover that something is wrong. The sounds and smells seem so unfamiliar. He meows and yowls until his parents realize Tom needs some medical attention. Luckily, the hospital has an extraordinary machine that lets the vet know exactly what is bothering Tom. Tom spends the night at the hospital but slowly recovers to his old self. Now, he is back with his loving parents in their new home, spending his days exploring and pouncing just like before.

Narrated in rhyme, What's Wrong With Tom? is a heartwarming picture book that imparts an important lesson on pet care, particularly focusing on the care of our feline friends. Author Dr. Gal Chivvis is a veterinarian. In this book, Dr. Chivvis tells an educational yet entertaining tale that illustrates the emotional journey of a cat navigating a new environment and highlights how stress can manifest into other physical disorders in felines. 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!

Asher Syed

What’s Wrong With Tom? A Veterinary Tale of Courage and Compassion by Dr. Gal Chivvis follows Tom, a lively cat who suddenly becomes ill with symptoms including distress and inability to urinate, signaling a urinary blockage. His concerned family takes him to an emergency veterinarian, where Tom undergoes diagnosis and treatment involving catheterization to relieve his bladder obstruction. The story explains feline interstitial cystitis (FIC), a condition often aggravated by stress, causing inflammation and urinary blockage that can be life-threatening. The veterinarian provides care and reassures Tom and his family. Dr. Chivvis also educates readers on signs of urinary problems in cats, the importance of bladder health, and stress management techniques, leaning into veterinary care’s role in animal health and compassionate support for pets and their people in emergencies.

What’s Wrong With Tom? by Dr. Gal Chivvis is a wonderfully entertaining and informative read that gently prepares young readers for the inevitable experience of taking a beloved pet to the vet. 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. The illustrations stand out with a contemporary animation style, featuring a bold primary color palette that captures readers' attention and adds playful energy to the pages. Overall, this is a delightful read that offers a reassuring and thoughtful approach to pet care that families will appreciate. Very highly recommended.