What's Wrong with Tom?
A veterinary tale of compassion, courage, and a cat in crisis.
When playful Tom the cat suddenly falls ill, it takes a devoted family, a clever vet crew, and a dash of feline courage to unravel the mystery.
Thomas LeBrat is a fun-loving cat who fills his home with joy and laughter. But when a sudden health emergency strikes, Tom's carefree world turns upside down.
With support from his attentive family and the skilled team at the Critter Care Crew, the mystery of Tom's illness begins to unfold.
Written in playful rhyme by a veterinarian and homeschool mom, What's Wrong with Tom? is the first book in the Critter Care Crew series. This heartwarming story blends imagination with real-world insight-helping children explore pet health, empathy, and the importance of working together.
A surprise storytelling element gives readers a glimpse into Tom's thoughts and feelings, encouraging emotional connection and deeper understanding of what pets might experience when they're sick or stressed.
Perfect for ages 4-8, classrooms, and animal-loving families, this engaging picture book includes:
- A gentle introduction to veterinary care and pet emergencies
- Social-emotional learning through empathy, advocacy, and teamwork
- A memorable story experience filled with rhythm, heart, and humor
- A creative way to spark conversations about caring for others
Bonus content includes:
- A kid-friendly glossary of veterinary terms
- A visual stress management guide to support emotional resilience
- Free educational resources for teachers, caregivers, and homeschoolers
Whether you're preparing a child for their first vet visit or simply sharing a story rooted in kindness, What's Wrong with Tom? fosters curiosity, confidence, and compassion-for pets and people alike.
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.
