Blog Archives
Empowering Kids
Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need to Have Iron in My Diet? follows a group of students who ask the school nurse about iron, and she explains its importance to the body and the dietary sources where it can be found.What made you write a story about this topic?
Kids should feel empowered with the books they read to live more fulfilling lives. Eating healthy is important and now there is a book to easily explain why a person needs to eat iron and where to get iron in their diet.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
A menstruating or pregnant woman needs a lot more iron compared to an average adult male. Males need only about 8 mg per day, a menstruating woman about 18 mg per day, and a pregnant woman around 27 mg per day.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about the importance of iron?
I don’t think it could be regarded as a misconception, but iron is needed for red blood cells to deliver oxygen to all the cells in our body and the immune system to fight infections.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Writing poetry in high school helped develop some of my creativity.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need to Have Iron in My Diet?
Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need to Have Iron in My Diet? is a kid-friendly dive into the importance of iron in the human body, told through a lunchtime conversation between three curious girls and a knowledgeable nurse. Nurse Florence breaks down what iron is, why our bodies need it, how it helps us function, and where we can find it in our diet, all in simple language supported by illustrations and some surprisingly detailed explanations for a children’s book.
I found this book genuinely engaging. It respects its young audience by presenting accurate information in a clear, approachable format without oversimplifying or speaking down to them. Instead, it delivers meaningful content in manageable, well-structured segments. For example, when Nurse Florence shows a hemoglobin molecule and explains how iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen, that’s the kind of detail most kids’ books would skip. But here, it’s handled in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming. The way the characters ask honest, relatable questions like, “Can we get iron from fruits?” helps keep things natural and engaging. That moment made me smile because Condi’s curiosity is contagious.
Some sections of the book delve more deeply into scientific detail, such as the explanations of iron’s role within cells and the immune system. While these concepts may be advanced for some younger readers, this depth adds educational value and creates opportunities for meaningful conversations between children and adults. The inclusion of a glossary and a thoughtful note to parents about the use of complex terminology further demonstrates that the book is intentionally designed to promote learning, curiosity, and shared discussion rather than just passive reading.
The art supports the story without distracting from it, and it was sweet seeing the three girls so excited to learn. The friendly tone of Nurse Florence made the info feel less like a science lesson and more like a chat with a favorite aunt who happens to know a lot about health. And little bits like Jean saying she’ll never eat oysters made it feel grounded and funny in a very real way.
Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need to Have Iron in My Diet? is a great book for kids around 7 to 11, especially if they’re the type who ask a ton of questions or have even a hint of curiosity about how the body works. It’s perfect for parents or teachers who want to introduce science early in a no-pressure, conversation-style way. Honestly, even as an adult, I learned a few things. So if you’re raising a little scientist or just want your kid to understand why spinach matters, this one’s a winner.
Pages: 70 | ISBN : 1304665607
Nurse Florence®, What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?
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
Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed? is a cheerful, educational picture book that uses a friendly lunchtime chat between three girls and a school nurse to explain what wisdom teeth are, why they might need to be removed, and what the removal process involves. Written by Michael Dow and beautifully illustrated by Yiheng Fang. Aimed at children, it introduces real medical terms in a simple way, encouraging curiosity and building early science literacy.
What struck me first was how calm and approachable the tone is throughout. There’s no rush, no panic. Nurse Florence takes her time explaining everything, from why wisdom teeth might grow in crooked to how anesthesia works. It’s all delivered through conversation, which gives the book a cozy, trustworthy vibe. I especially liked the part where she talks about anxiety before surgery and how listening to music or thinking about happy places can help. That advice isn’t just for kids, and it reminded me to slow down and breathe next time I’m nervous, too.
One thing I really appreciated was the honesty. The book doesn’t sugarcoat the procedure. It says clearly that people may have swollen faces, stitches, and need to be careful about infection. But it’s done in such a matter-of-fact, caring way that it doesn’t feel scary. It’s empowering. I also liked the glossary and journal pages in the back of the book, as it’s a nice nudge for kids to reflect and ask their own questions. The book teaches facts, yes, but it also teaches curiosity and self-awareness, which I think is rare and valuable in a book like this.
What makes this book shine is how grounded and purposeful it is. It’s not flashy. It’s not trying to be silly or overly clever. It knows what it’s doing: giving kids (and maybe even adults) a solid, confident understanding of a common medical procedure. The illustrations are soft and expressive, and the layout keeps things moving while offering enough detail for kids who like to linger on each page. I even found myself smiling when the girls all responded, “You too!” in unison.
Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed? is perfect for elementary school kids, especially those who are starting to hear big, scary-sounding words like “surgery” and “anesthesia” and need someone to break it all down for them in a gentle, respectful way. It would be great for parents to read with their kids before a dental visit, or even just as a way to boost science confidence. I came away impressed and a little more relaxed about my own dentist anxieties, too.
Pages: 97 | ISBN : 1304783669
Never Too Late
No Woman Left Behind is part personal memoir, global health crusade, and all heart, following your journey from an ad executive to an advocate for women suffering from obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that is almost entirely preventable. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The day a woman gives birth is the day she is most likely to die or be seriously injured, particularly in the poorest parts of our world. It’s easy to forget that in a place as prosperous as the US where most women have safe childbirth experiences in hospitals. I believe that no woman should suffer a life of incontinent misery and isolation simply for trying to bring a child into the world. While fistula ruins the lives of too many women, it doesn’t have to. Most women can be cured with a single surgery. Our biggest obstacle to getting more of the one million women with the injury treated is lack of awareness of their plight. My goal in writing No Woman Left Behind was to create awareness and encourage more people to step up to help women they will likely never meet get their lives back.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted people to know that they have the power to help too often forgotten women get a new shot at a healthy and productive life. We all live in challenging times; the world is filled with many intractable problems, but fistula isn’t one of them. We know what works to help women.
Another idea that I wanted to share is that it is never too late to create a new professional path for yourself. In my 20s I was working on “Madison Avenue,” using wily strategies to get people to buy stuff they may neither want nor need. The work was draining and ultimately unfulfilling. I left that behind, to find work that spoke to my heart. I hope that others may see themself in my journey.
Can you share with readers more about the Fistula Foundation’s Love-a-Sister program?
Our Love-a-Sister program provides the opportunity for donors to sponsor a surgery for a woman, that on average costs just $633. They can give one donation of that amount or give monthly to eventually fund a surgery. Most of fistula patients are indigent so our donors big-hearted generosity provides surgery for women who would often otherwise go without.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Our tagline is “Help Give a Woman a New Life.” I hope people will be motivated to help, and perhaps at the same time, gain increased gratitude for the many blessings those of us living in a developed country like the United States often take for granted, like safe hospital-based childbirth.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | No Woman Left Behind | Amazon
The day a woman gives birth is also the day she is most likely to die or suffer severe injury—a sobering reality that comes into sharp focus when Kate Grant visits the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia’s capital. There, she sees row after row of beds occupied by young women afflicted with obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that leaves them incontinent and too often shunned by their communities, modern- day lepers. She soon learns that surgery is the only way to end their suffering.
In No Woman Left Behind, Grant recounts her decision to abandon a promising advertising career, and the ups and downs of building Silicon Valley– based Fistula Foundation from a modest start-up into the global leader in fistula treatment. Through vivid firsthand accounts of surgeons toiling in remote corners of Africa and Asia, we see inside the fight to restore hope to some of the world’s most vulnerable women.
A compassionate army of donors spanning nearly 70 countries makes such life-changing care possible. Grant demonstrates the profound power of individual action to change lives at scale, since Fistula Foundation takes no government money. No Woman Left Behind is a compelling personal journey and a how-to guide for anyone looking to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
100% of the net proceeds from No Woman Left Behind will go to Fistula Foundation’s Love-a-Sister program to fund free surgeries for women with childbirth injuries.
Healing in Advance: Your Prehabilitation Handbook
Alexander Watson’s Healing in Advance is a comprehensive guide designed to empower individuals navigating challenging medical journeys. Whether managing chronic illnesses, preparing for major surgeries, or undergoing acute treatments, this book introduces a transformative concept: “prehabilitation” (prehab). Watson positions prehab as a proactive strategy to build physical and mental resilience before medical interventions. Through a focus on exercise, lifestyle changes, and nervous system care—what he calls the “three pillars”—the book equips readers with tools to optimize outcomes and enhance quality of life.
Backed by evidence-based insights and current research, Watson presents practical strategies grounded in science. Readers benefit from detailed exercises, nutritional guidance, and stress management techniques, all tailored to diverse conditions. Emerging treatments, including innovative drug combinations and cutting-edge therapies, reflect the book’s forward-thinking approach. This breadth of information ensures the content remains inclusive and relevant, appealing to a wide audience.
Watson writes with empathy and support, acknowledging the emotional and psychological toll of medical challenges. The tone reassures without minimizing the difficulty of these journeys, empowering readers to take actionable steps with confidence. By combining research-backed interventions with a conversational, non-judgmental style, the book becomes both a credible resource and a comforting companion. Clear disclaimers encourage consultation with healthcare professionals, reinforcing its role as a supplemental guide rather than a replacement for medical advice.
Watson employs an accessible, direct style that balances technical detail with relatability. Relatable metaphors and analogies—such as likening medical challenges to navigating a fast-moving vehicle—simplify complex concepts. The book’s structured chapters, clear headings, and use of bullet points ensure a logical flow, making it easy for readers to digest and apply the information.
Alexander Watson’s Healing in Advance is an essential guide for anyone seeking clarity in the complexities of medical preparation. It blends empathy, scientific rigor, and actionable advice to serve as both a roadmap and a source of reassurance. Watson’s focus on preparation transforms feelings of helplessness into purposeful action, offering a sense of control during uncertain times. With its engaging tone and well-organized content, Healing in Advance is a vital contribution to the fields of patient empowerment and prehabilitation literature.
Pages: 270 | ASIN : B0DNWJYB8M
Seeking Clarity in the Labyrinth: A Daughter’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s
Losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s is a journey without a roadmap. It can be mercifully brief or agonizingly prolonged, with each family’s path uniquely different yet heartbreakingly similar. In her deeply personal and cathartic book, Jessica Stokes delves into her family’s experience with this disease, often termed “the longest goodbye,” as she witnessed her mother’s cognitive decline. The narrative highlights how Alzheimer’s impacts not only the diagnosed individual but also the entire family, necessitating extensive care and adjustments. This story will resonate with many.
Seeking Clarity in the Labyrinth: A Daughter’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s is a poignant memoir by Jessica Stokes that serves as both a personal account and a therapeutic exploration. Beyond detailing her family’s 13-year journey with her mother’s Alzheimer’s, the book delves into themes of grief, balance, acceptance, change, and, above all, love. Stokes recounts the gradual loss of her mother, sharing how she learned to embrace the evolving versions of her. While not always consistent in this endeavor, she navigated the situation with resilience, steering through unwanted yet unavoidable challenges.
The narrative, though mostly linear, mirrors the workings of memory, where a small detail can spark an entirely new recollection. The book also carries a spiritual undertone, exploring concepts of life, death, and the possibility of an afterlife. The mindful and intentional journey of the labyrinth—both as a concept and through specific examples worldwide—was a constant presence for Stokes and her family, eventually becoming a metaphor for their experience. The labyrinth in her parents’ backyard, lovingly constructed by family members, symbolizes a sanctuary, providing peace within a convoluted path. Stokes revisits this imagery throughout her book, using it to illustrate the emotions accompanying the disease’s progression.
This book will be painfully familiar to those who have lost or are in the process of losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s. It offers comfort in a shared experience. Despite its deeply personal nature, Stokes’ story resonates universally. Even readers without direct experience with Alzheimer’s may relate to the gradual loss of a parent. Stokes writes with clarity and frankness, delivering a story that is heartfelt and heartbreaking.
Pages: 136 | ISBN : 978-1955683418
Human Physiology
Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Lymphatic System offers young readers valuable information about the lymph nodes, spleen, and the thymus in easy-to-grasp language and serves as a valuable resource for families and educators. Why was it important for you to cover this topic in your children’s series?
We will be covering all basic human physiology questions in the Nurse Florence series, and it was time to do this topic.
Did you find anything interesting in your research for this installment in the Nurse Florence series?
I think this is a little-known system of the body and many families of all ages will learn many things from this book.
Your Nurse Florence series is extensive. Do you receive feedback about your books from schools? How are they being utilized?
The long-term plan is for there to be a set of the series in every library.
Can you give us a peek inside the next topic explored in your series?
We are about to publish books about the inner and middle ear. There are some fascinating things about the ear that I think many people will learn new things with these books. The book about the outer ear should publish next year.
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
LITERARY TITAN 