Objective To explore humanistic modes of nursing care and improve the result of health education for children. Methods Reading materials were written according to the principles of bibliotherapy. A total of 136 children in perioperative period were asked to read the materials with their parents or on their own. Results The results showed that 94.85% of the children and 97.06% of their care-givers identified with the contents of the reading materials and their form of illustrated text. 64.71%-75.00% of the children and their care-givers learned some knowledge about the operations and 86.76% of children were willing to cooperate in the treatment and nursing care. Conclusion The contents and form of the reading materials for hospitalized children are in line with the development of cognitive ability of children and it can, to some degree, help the hospitalized children to adapt to the environment of hospital.