Blog Archives
Signs and Symptoms
Nurse Florence, Why Do I Need to Eat Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin? teaches children about the importance of these vitamins, how they get them into their diet, and how the body uses them to function. What is the most interesting thing about B12 and Cobalamin for you?
This special vitamin is only synthesized by certain bacteria. Human symbiosis with bacteria is obvious with this necessary nutrient.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I like sharing what signs and symptoms show deficiencies of vitamins in the Nurse Florence series. This helps people start to be more aware of their bodies.
Where did the name Nurse Florence come from, and why did you decide to use this as the name of the series?
Nurse Florence is in homage to the great Florence Nightingale from England in the 1800s. She pioneered single-handedly modern nursing. She helped create the first nursing school. She advocated for cleaner and safer hospitals around the world. We owe her a lot and need to honor her.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Nurse Florence, Why Do I Need a Flu Shot? should come out by the end of November 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Sometimes it seems only a nurse can bring technical information down to an understanding that an ordinary person can grasp. The Nurse Florence(R) book series provides high quality medical information that even a child can grasp. By introducing young kids to correct terminology and science concepts at an early age, we can help increase our children’s health literacy level as well as help to prepare them for courses and jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. We need more scientists so I hope that many children will enjoy this book series and consider a job involving science. Introducing Some Medical Words to Kids in Every Book(R) A Movement of Global Health Promotion and Literacy Dow Creative Enterprises(R) Help Civilization Reach Its Potential
The Human Body
Nurse Florence: Tell Me About the Systems of the Human Body introduces readers to the major systems that keep our bodies functioning. What do you find so fascinating about this topic?
I think the systems of the human body are absolutely amazing. I think it’s incredible how they all work together to make human life possible. We live in an incredible world with outstanding resources.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It was important to me to clearly show each system independent of the others so people could easily see the things that support life. I tried to keep it simple, and I believed I accomplished my goal.
The art in this book really helps readers understand the concepts discussed. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Roland Harrison?
I gave Roland basic drawing prompts, and he recreated images to produce the beautiful art in the book. His images inspired me to write the text.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Nurse Dorothea presents Social Media and Social Networking with its Benefits and Disadvantages. The book will address the mental health issues of social media, but it also recognizes there are benefits to social media use. New Nurse Dorothea books are published every 5 weeks. More information about this series can be found at www.nursedorothea.com.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Sometimes it seems only a nurse can bring technical information down to an understanding that an ordinary person can grasp. The Nurse Florence(R) book series provides high-quality medical information that even a child can grasp. By introducing young kids to correct terminology and science concepts at an early age, we can help increase our children’s health literacy level as well as help to prepare them for courses and jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. We need more scientists so I hope that many children will enjoy this book series and consider a job involving science. Introducing Some Medical Words to Kids in Every Book
FROM STRUGGLE TO STRENGTH: Teens’ Journey To Mental Wellness: Navigating Adolescence With Resilience And Hope
Hobokela Jackson’s From Struggle to Strength: Teens’ Journey to Mental Wellness is a compelling and insightful guide that delves into the emotional challenges teens often face during adolescence. It addresses pivotal issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and the complex transition into adulthood, offering practical solutions like mindfulness, journaling, and building personal wellness toolkits, while underscoring the importance of family support.
Jackson’s use of personal stories allows readers to see how resilience, community involvement, and mental health advocacy play crucial roles in overcoming adversity. The book tackles essential themes like self-acceptance, identity formation, and the profound influence of peer and family support on mental well-being. One of the standout features of this work is Jackson’s empathetic tone and his ability to resonate deeply with young readers. The real-life experiences of teens navigating mental health challenges make the narrative both relatable and approachable. Jackson excels at demystifying mental health topics, offering concrete strategies teens can easily integrate into their lives—such as breathing exercises and setting realistic, manageable goals to combat anxiety and depression. Particularly noteworthy is the chapter on constructing mental wellness toolkits, which encourages teens to take control of their mental health in a proactive and empowering way. For readers familiar with mental health literature, certain content may not feel entirely groundbreaking, and the pacing slows in parts where familiar advice is revisited. Yet, Jackson’s compassionate approach to mental health education remains a highlight, offering a well-balanced mix of practical strategies and emotional insight.
From Struggle to Strength stands as a valuable resource for teens and their families, offering critical guidance in navigating the mental health hurdles of adolescence. Its emphasis on resilience and self-compassion infuses the book with hope, assuring readers that with the right tools and mindset, overcoming mental health challenges is achievable.
Pages: 183 | ASIN : B0D6WY6KTS
Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist
Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist, by Dr. Shon Shree Lewis, is an engaging and educational children’s book that follows Coco on her first day of kindergarten. Eager to make new friends and learn new things, Coco’s excitement is palpable. However, during lunchtime, she finds a bag of fruit candy on the floor and, with no one around, decides to take it and hide it in her pocket. She brings the candy home and hides it in her closet, planning to indulge in the sweet treats whenever she wants. As Saturday arrives, Coco is thrilled about a sleepover at her grandmother’s house. That night, after her grandmother falls asleep, Coco helps herself to more candy from a jar on the table without asking for permission, intending to add it to her secret stash at home. But soon after consuming the hidden candy, Coco starts experiencing pain in one of her teeth. She confesses to her parents, who then make an appointment with a children’s dentist to check for cavities. Aware of her wrongdoing, Coco decides to come clean to her parents about sneaking the candy. During her dentist appointment, Coco learns she does indeed have a cavity. Despite her mistakes, she feels relieved that God has forgiven her and grateful for the strength and courage to face the dentist.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Coco’s journey. She made mistakes by taking the candy from school and her grandmother’s candy jar, but deep down, she knew it was wrong. This story is highly relatable for children and teaches them that actions have consequences. Through Coco’s experience, young readers can understand the importance of honesty and the inevitable consequences of their actions. Parents, grandparents, guardians, and school staff will appreciate the valuable lesson conveyed in this delightful children’s book.
The illustrations, by Viona Betzy and C. Lola, are vibrant and captivating, perfectly complementing the story. The pictures bring the narrative to life, making readers feel as if they are right there with Coco. Each page features beautiful illustrations that enhance the overall reading experience.
Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist is a wonderful story that teaches children the importance of making the right choices to avoid negative consequences. This book serves as an excellent teaching tool, delivering an essential lesson in an engaging and memorable way.
Pages: 28 | ISBN : 978-1667892337
Strength, Wisdom, and Support
In Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist, a young girl with a love for candy finds the courage to face her fears when she visits the dentist for the first time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration was my childhood and teen experiences coping with fear of the dentist. My Mom worked in dentistry, and she helped me overcome my fear of the dentist with positive encouragement and prayer. So I wanted to share my story through my character, Coco, to help kids overcome their fears of going to the dentist as God and my Mom helped me in my early years. That is why I dedicated this book to my Mom for my gratitude for her strength, wisdom, and support teaching me the importance of healthy teeth and not to be a fearful person.
Is there anything from your own childhood included in little Coco’s experiences?
Yes, the fear of going to the dentist.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The idea was for parents to help teach their children not to steal things, the importance of healthy teeth, telling the truth, and to face their fears with the support of prayer to God and their parent’s love. I wanted to encourage patience helping their children process their emotions of fear and learn valuable lessons about working through challenges in life with hope and courage.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?:
My Coco character is a book series called Coco’s Life Adventures on Amazon and with Barnes and Noble stores. The next book is in progress and may be available next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist
Little Coco has just started kindergarten and is delighted to meet new friends and embark on new adventures. However, Coco harbors a secret: she loves candy. Discovering candy in various places, she sneaks it without her parents’ knowledge. This leads to a severe toothache, forcing Coco to confront the truth and make her first trip to the dentist. With the support, guidance, and prayers of her parents, Coco finds the courage within herself to face this new challenge.
Coco’s Courage: Meeting the Dentist, by Dr. Shon Shree Lewis, serves as a gentle introduction to dentistry for children. The illustrations by Viona Betzy and C. Lola are vibrant and brimming with the joys of childhood. The narrative unfolds at a gentle pace, and I appreciated how Coco’s parents help her face her fears, improve herself, and grow as a person throughout the story. The book also provides a reassuring explanation of the dentist’s procedures, making it an excellent tool for introducing the concept of dental visits in a non-threatening manner. The depiction of the dentist’s office, complete with an aquarium and friendly staff, helps demystify the environment for young readers. This visual aid is particularly useful in making the dentist’s office appear less intimidating and more welcoming.
While it’s important to teach children about honesty and the consequences of stealing, I feel the religious undertones may not resonate with all readers. The emphasis on praying and relying on God for courage, though comforting, might not be as relatable for a more secular audience. That being said, the story’s core message of finding courage and being honest remains universally relevant.
Coco’s Courage: Meeting the Dentist remains a cheerful and valuable book for children, emphasizing moral values and the importance of facing fears. Its core message of courage and support and its effective introduction to dental visits for young children make this the ideal book to read together at home or in the classroom. This heartwarming story about finding inner courage with parental support is perfect for children learning about dentists for the first time.
Pages: 27 | ASIN : B0BJ7M6RW7
Enjoyable for the Whole Family
Nurse Florence®, Why and How Do We Breathe? teaches children how the body performs the function of breathing and how proper breathing impacts their health. Why was this an important topic to write about?
I mainly chose this topic because I thought it would be fun to cover for kids. It’s something we all do all day long and thought that some things could be presented that even parents could learn. We try to make every Nurse Florence book enjoyable for the whole family, not just the kids. We want everyone to walk away from each book thinking, “Cool, I didn’t know that.”
I have seen that you have coloring books to go along with the Nurse Florence series for some of the books. Do you have plans to add other learning materials to this series to help children retain the information?
We plan to do a word search book in the future.
What is the hardest part for you about writing the books in this series?
It is starting to be time. We have started creating Nurse Florence for Beginning Readers books to help 4 and 5 year old access very basic health information. We are converting all of our general science books into this series. Visit www.nurseflorence.org for the latest info.
What topics can readers expect to see in the future from Nurse Florence? How do you decide what the next book will be about?
We are about to publish a book on pneumonia. We have started discussing the need to eat a balanced diet to eat the numerous essential vitamins our body needs. People can check out Nurse Florence, Why Do I Need to Eat Vitamin C? at www.lulu.com. Many of the upcoming Nurse Florence titles were picked because the disease affects the assigned illustrators’ families. We are not only discussing common diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, but also rare diseases like Polymicrogyria.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Simplifying Information For Kids
Nurse Florence, What is Rosacea? is an educational book that follows curious students as they explore the complexities of rosacea with the help of Nurse Florence. Do you have any personal experiences or connections with rosacea that influenced the tone or content of the book?
I had a friend in high school that had it. Nurse Florence plans to publish a book for every disease so that every family can have an educational tool to inform their kids for healthy living.
What research methods did you employ to ensure that the information about rosacea was both accurate and suitable for a young audience?
The Nurse Florence series gets all of its information from either my nursing school pathophysiology textbooks or a highly respected medical organization like the Mayo Clinic. We think we have found the sweet spot of simplifying the information for kids while still maintaining scientific accuracy so that the books are reliable information for reference. We try to keep the information to one big idea per drawing.
Can you elaborate on the process of weaving complex medical information into a narrative that would resonate with children without overwhelming them?
I spend a lot of time researching the material before writing it. I think about what should be included in each page and let my thoughts “simmer.” When I start to get the drawings from the assigned illustrator, the images inspire me, and then I synthesize the information. I write the books as if I am talking to my kids since my kids are the original target audience of the series. I think that by keeping each page to one big idea, then children will not be overwhelmed.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
At any moment, we have about 40 books in production. One of the next in the series that I am really looking forward to doing is Nurse Florence, Why Should We Avoid Illegal Drugs? I hope that this book can be used in classrooms around the country to help prevent kids from going down the path of addiction.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
LITERARY TITAN 