What's Wrong with Tom?: A Veterinary Tale of Courage and Compassion (The Critter Care Crew)

When playful Tom the cat suddenly isn't acting like himself, it takes a caring family, a dedicated veterinary team, and a dash of feline courage to discover What's Wrong with Tom?

Written in lively rhyme by a veterinarian and homeschool mom, What's Wrong with Tom? is the first book in The Critter Care Crew series. This heartwarming picture book blends imaginative storytelling with gentle, real-world insight, introducing young readers to veterinary care through a reassuring story of compassion, courage, and teamwork.

A surprise element woven into the narrative offers readers a glimpse into Tom's thoughts and feelings, inviting children to connect with him and feel like part of his care journey.

Perfect for ages 4-8, classrooms, and animal-loving families, this engaging picture book offers:

-A fun, rhythmic story filled with warmth, humor, and heart

-A gentle introduction to veterinary care and pet emergencies

-Themes of empathy, teamwork, and advocacy woven naturally into the story

-An accessible way to start meaningful conversations about caring for others

Bonus content includes:

-A kid-friendly glossary of veterinary terms

-Stress-management tips illustrated by Tom

-Access to free optional companion activities for parents, teachers, and homeschoolers

A gentle, engaging story that celebrates compassion, courage, teamwork, and the special bond between pets and the people who love them.

Dr. Gal Chivvis began her writing journey after the birth of her first child, when she felt a strong desire to contribute to the magic of storytelling by creating a children's book. The idea felt impossible at the time, but years later she found a way to blend her love of narrative with her veterinary background, and her author path took shape from there.An internship-trained emergency veterinarian with nearly 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Chivvis bridges veterinary medicine, education, and storytelling. She is the author of The Dog Owner's Guide to Health Emergencies, recipient of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award and the 2025 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal, as well as The Cat Owner's Guide to Health Emergencies. These practical guides are designed to help pet owners recognize urgent concerns, respond appropriately, and communicate effectively with their veterinary team.She is also the creator of the Critter Care Crew children's series, including What's Wrong with Tom?, its Coloring and Activity Companion Book, and What Did Libby Do?. Her children's stories weave imagination, empathy, and age-appropriate health education to help young readers better understand pets and the veterinary experience. In addition, she has developed educational coloring books for children, teens, and adults, as well as The Ultimate Dog and Cat Activity Book for Kids Ages 5-7.Dr. Chivvis is the founder of CritterCareCollective.com, an educational platform dedicated to making accurate, veterinarian-approved pet care information clear and accessible. She believes in transparency, growth through trial and error, and making veterinary knowledge approachable for families. Between emergency practice, homeschooling, writing, and family life, she embraces both the structure and the beautiful unpredictability that come with building something meaningful.