Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Colon is a charming, educational children’s book that mixes science with everyday curiosity in a simple but effective way. Written by Michael Dow, a nurse with a deep commitment to health literacy, the story follows three young girls, Jean, Sonia, and Condi, who sit down at lunch with Nurse Florence and end up learning all about the colon. Through a calm, friendly conversation, they explore the parts, functions, and importance of the colon, complete with illustrations and gentle scientific explanations.

Author Michael Dow uses real medical terms like “cecum,” “peristalsis,” and “ascending colon,” but makes them easy to understand. Nurse Florence explains the cecum as a kind of one-way gate for food. This kind of clear, relatable comparison makes the science stick. It’s not just a biology lesson, it’s about sparking curiosity and showing that adults can actually explain things in a way that makes sense.

Another strong point is the balance between education and real-life application. It doesn’t just say, “This is what a colon does.” It connects it to healthy habits. The parts where Nurse Florence talks about fiber, hydration, and colonoscopies are handled with such a matter-of-fact tone that it normalizes health care in the best way. I actually found myself thinking, “I need more veggies,” right along with the girls at the end. That’s powerful, when a kids’ book can nudge adults into reconsidering their habits.

The illustrations are clean, approachable, and thoughtfully designed to support the educational content without feeling overly simplistic. While the artistic style leans more toward clarity than creativity, that choice serves the book’s purpose well. What truly impressed me, though, were the detailed visuals of the colon under a microscope and the diagram explaining peristalsis. These images offer a striking and memorable glimpse into real biology, adding a sense of wonder that brings the science to life. It’s the kind of visual element that could easily spark genuine excitement in young readers, encouraging them to see science as both fascinating and accessible.

Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Colon is perfect for parents, teachers, or caregivers who want to sneak a little real science into story time. It’s great for curious kids who ask “why” a lot and for grown-ups who sometimes forget the answers. If you’ve got a budding doctor or biologist in the house, or even just a kid who isn’t afraid of learning big words, Nurse Florence® is a warm and clever way to start talking about the human body.

Pages: 70 | ISBN : 1304397289