The Big Buzzing Machine: My MRI Story
The mri scan preparation story, rewritten for your child
Every page is redrawn around the child you make it for. Keep the story’s own hero and give them your child’s name, or choose someone new — it takes a minute, and nothing is locked in.
From$34.99 USD
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
- 30 pages, hardcover
- 5.9 × 5.9 in
- Ages 5-7
- Premium, thick pages
- Free standard shipping included
- Printed & delivered in 2-3 weeks (US)
Start with the story’s own hero or pick from our cast — then give them your child’s name.
A personalized social story that prepares children aged 5–7 for every step of an MRI scan — gently and bravely.
That’s the story. The rest is how it becomes your child’s.
How personalization works
Who is this story about?
Keep the story’s own hero
The hero is already written and drawn for this book. Give them your child’s name if you like — that’s the whole edit.
Or swap in one of our cast
Eight characters to start from, and you rename whoever you pick.
- Luna
- Theo
- Mateo
- Sofia
- Amara
- Layla
- Mei
- Ravi
Or make your own
Describe them in a sentence, or add a photo to guide the likeness. Either way, entirely optional.
The characters are just the start.
Every part of this book is yours to change. Not a name dropped into a template — the whole thing is redrawn around the child you’re making it for.
- Every illustrationAll 30 pages are drawn fresh, not stamped with a face.
- The rooms and placesYour child's actual bedroom, your street, the places the story visits.
- The objects that recurThe specific blanket, the toy they won’t sleep without — carried page to page.
- Everyone else in itSiblings, grandparents, the dog. Named and drawn as themselves.
- The story itselfChange what happens, and the words on the page change with it.
- Or change nothingPick a hero and read it tonight. The rest is there when you want it.
What's Inside This Book
1 of 16 spreads
Every character, scene, and object in this book can be replaced with your own — your child's name, your family photos, your home, your school.
What you get
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
Start free
- Free to start — no card needed
- See your child in the story in minutes
- Rename the hero and edit the story text
- Choose a ready-made character, or add a photo later
- Export a PDF of what you make
Your perfect keepsake
Hardcover book
- Full-color hardcover, 15×15cm
- Free standard shipping included
- Printed & delivered in about 2-3 weeks (US)
- Personalize names, story text & style
- Add your own photos once you are in the editor
Quick summary of The Big Buzzing Machine: My MRI Story
The Big Buzzing Machine is a personalized social story that walks children ages 5-7 through every step of an MRI scan in a gentle, reassuring way. It explains what they'll see, hear, and feel, helping them feel brave and prepared rather than scared.
This personalized children's book walks children aged 5–7 through a real MRI visit, from hospital check-in to going home. Featuring the child's own name and a friendly technician named Sam, it uses calm watercolor storytelling to build familiarity and confidence before the scan.
Key Takeaways
- Builds procedural familiarity by walking through every MRI step in real sequence
- Reduces pre-appointment anxiety through named characters and predictable narrative structure
- Teaches a simple self-regulation strategy — visualizing favourite things — to stay still during scanning
- Empowers children with the knowledge that MRI sounds are normal and cannot cause harm
- Validates bravery and pride after the scan, reinforcing positive medical experience memories
Why This Book Works
Social stories — a technique developed by Carol Gray in 1991 — are one of the most evidence-backed tools for preparing children for unfamiliar medical procedures. By narrating each step in sequence, they activate the brain's predictive processing, reducing the threat response. A 2019 study in the journal Pediatric Radiology found that pre-procedure narrative preparation significantly lowered the need for sedation in children under eight undergoing MRI scans.
Personalization amplifies the effect. When a child sees their own name in the story, self-referential processing — identified by Dr. Mark Leary's research on the self-reference effect — makes the information more memorable and emotionally relevant. Alex isn't a stranger navigating a scary machine; the child reading the book is. That shift in ownership changes how the brain encodes the experience before it even happens.
The book also models a clinically recognized coping strategy: directed mental imagery. Encouraging children to think of a favourite dog, book, or sunny park day during the scan mirrors techniques used in pediatric pain and anxiety management, including guided imagery protocols endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pairing this with the earmuff detail and the help button gives children genuine tools — not just reassurance.
Common Misconceptions
Children just need to be told 'it won't hurt' to feel calm
Reassurance alone rarely reduces procedural anxiety. According to child psychologist Dr. Lawrence Cohen, children need concrete, sequential information about what will happen — not just emotional comfort — to feel genuinely prepared.
Social stories are only useful for children with autism
While Carol Gray developed social stories for autistic children, research published in the <em>Journal of Pediatric Psychology</em> confirms they reduce anxiety and improve cooperation in neurotypical children facing unfamiliar medical or dental procedures.
Reading the book once the night before is enough preparation
Repetition matters. Reading the story two to three times across the days before the appointment helps the brain consolidate the procedural sequence, making the real experience feel recognized rather than entirely new.
How to Read This Book with Your Child
Best time to read: Read it two to three times in the days before the appointment — not just the night before. A calm daytime reading works better than right before bed.
Tell your child: 'This is a book about a child just like you who has an MRI.' Let them know their name is in it. Look at the cover together and ask what they think the big machine might be. This activates curiosity rather than dread before a single word is read.
Conversation Starters
- “What sounds do you think the big machine will make when we're there?”
- “Which favourite things will you think about to help you stay really still?”
- “What are you most proud of when you imagine finishing your MRI?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this book appropriate for my 5-year-old?
Yes! The Big Buzzing Machine is specifically designed for ages 5-7. The language is simple and reassuring, with illustrations that make the MRI machine less scary. If your child is on the younger end of this range, reading it together multiple times helps them process the experience.
Will this book really help reduce my child's anxiety?
Social stories are proven to reduce anxiety in children facing medical procedures by replacing fear of the unknown with concrete knowledge. This book prepares children for sights, sounds, and sensations, which significantly increases their sense of control and confidence.
How early should I read this book to my child?
Ideally, read it 1-2 weeks before the MRI appointment. This gives your child time to process information without overwhelming them. You can also read it again the night before and the morning of the appointment for reinforcement and comfort.
What does the book cover about the MRI procedure?
The story explains the waiting room experience, what the machine looks like, why it makes buzzing sounds, how the child will be positioned, what happens during the scan, and why it's important. It also includes breathing and calming techniques for managing nervousness.
Can I personalize this book for my child?
Yes! This is designed as a personalized social story, allowing you to include your child's name, their specific hospital, their doctor's name, and family members who will be there. Personalization increases engagement and relevance for your child.
What if my child still feels scared after reading the book?
Some anxiety is normal. The book is a foundation for preparation. Continue reinforcing key messages, practice breathing exercises together, and let your child ask questions. Share the book with their doctor so they can address specific concerns at the appointment.
The mri scan preparation story, rewritten for your child
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
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