A children’s hospital has partnered with a rock star to create a book aimed at helping young patients prepare for their hospital visits.

The Occupational Therapy Team at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle developed “Bobby’s Big Day Out” to be especially beneficial for children with sensory differences.

Brian Johnson, the Tyneside-born singer of the rock band AC/DC, has lent his voice to the audio version for children who are unable to read the book themselves.

Patients and their parents have warmly welcomed the book.

The book’s goal is to alleviate the fear of hospital visits by detailing what children might see and experience there. It is narrated from the perspective of Bobby, the hospital’s occupational therapy mascot dog.

Sharmaine Lawson-Allen, whose daughter Faith is a regular patient, emphasized the importance of the book: “Being able to show the children what they’re going to do and where they’re going to go is crucial. It’s much easier to refer to the book and see what Bobby did if my daughter has any worries.”

Regular patient Joshua, who has been visiting the hospital for four years, contributed feedback to improve the book. “What I often struggle with is when I have to go into an unfamiliar place,” he said. “It makes it a lot better knowing what’s going to happen and how to deal with it.”

Occupational therapist Cheryl Gascoigne explained that the book helps make hospital visits more pleasant by setting clear expectations. “Coming to the hospital is a much more pleasant experience if you know what to expect. I think the book is really going to help,” she said.