Nurse Florence®, What is Acne? follows three curious friends as Nurse Florence transforms a simple question about pimples into an empowering, science-based journey through the causes, types, and treatments of acne. What inspired you to create the Nurse Florence® series as a way to teach health concepts to children?

During the COVID pandemic, I wanted to help supplement my children’s science education and thought that if I wrote a kids’ book series, then that would help. “The kids would have to read it since Dad wrote it.”

How did you determine which scientific terms were appropriate and accessible for elementary-age readers?

I use the concept of intellectual stimulation with my readers, which is borrowed from transformational leadership. I choose to believe that my readers can understand complex ideas as long as they are broken down a bit.

Acne can be an emotional topic. How did you balance scientific detail with empathy in your storytelling?

I tried not to focus on the emotions teenagers may have with acne and instead stayed focused on the science about the condition.

Are there other health topics you’re excited to explore with Nurse Florence® in future books?​

I love writing all Nurse Florence® books and love this journey I am on of lifelong learning as I research topics and generate material to teach young people about their bodies.