This book is part of the Nurse Florence® series and follows a young girl, Sonia, who visits her school nurse to learn more about her great granddad’s diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Through a friendly, accessible conversation with Nurse Florence, the reader gets a simple breakdown of what PSP is, how it affects the brain, the symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatments or lifestyle changes might help. It’s written like a picture book but aimed at educating kids with accuracy and care.

I was impressed by how effectively this book presents such a complex and often intimidating neurological condition. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is not an easy topic, yet the author manages to make it both accessible and engaging. Nurse Florence’s tone throughout her conversation with Sonia is warm and reassuring. She communicates the seriousness of the condition without making it frightening. One moment that stood out to me was when she explained how PSP can cause people to fall backwards and have difficulty moving their eyes to look downward. It’s a detail that might seem small, but it highlights how much we take certain basic movements for granted. The writing strikes a thoughtful balance that is clear and informative without ever feeling oversimplified.

What really stuck with me was how the book gently leans into the emotional side of things. When Sonia asks if she might get the disease too, Nurse Florence says, “It is not inherited… you may not get this even though your great granddad has this.” It shows how worried kids can be and how important it is to explain things in a calm, caring way. I also appreciated the real talk about depression and mood changes. It’s not just about brain science; it’s about how this disease changes a person’s whole life.

The book also stands out for its practical guidance, offering straightforward tips without sounding preachy. While some suggestions, like installing grab bars in the bathroom or removing rugs, may seem obvious, they can be easily overlooked in the midst of managing a serious illness. Having someone explicitly state them can be both helpful and reassuring. The book covers a wide range of topics, including therapy, vision aids, feeding tubes, and even Botox, yet it maintains a balanced and approachable tone. The information is presented in a straightforward manner.

Nurse Florence®, What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy? surprised me with how useful and comforting it is. It’s perfect for kids who have a family member with PSP or anyone trying to understand this rare disease without digging through dense medical articles. If you’re a parent, a teacher, or just someone with a curious kid in your life, this is a great tool to have. This book makes hard things feel manageable, and that’s kind of the magic.

Pages: 130 | ISBN : 1304589587