Hospital stays for children are often very challenging and emotional for both the children and their families. This raises the question of how to adapt the hospital environment to facilitate the children's experience and make the stay as positive as possible. This essay aims to describe and highlight how reading aloud and literature affects hospitalized children.

The essay concerns bibliotherapy but has as a theoretical basis Dominković's model of the effects of reading aloud and also Furhammar's model for personal and impersonal reading. The study also examines the selection of literature for reading aloud and its impact on children through Felski's theory of emotion. Empirical data was collected through interviews with librarians who work with reading aloud in hospitals in Sweden. The results were analyzed and applied to relevant theories.

The findings show that reading aloud relieves anxiety and creates calmness, consistent with both Furhammar's and Dominković's models. Adapted literature helps children identify and process emotions, which contributes to their mental well-being. Librarians interviewed report that reading aloud makes children calmer and more secure, giving them a chance to express themselves without interruption. No adverse effects were observed; instead, the positive outcomes include improved interaction and dialogue between librarians and children.

In conclusion, the study shows that reading aloud in hospital has a clear positive effect on hospitalized children, creating magical moments they can look forward to.