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Nurse Florence®, What is Atrial Fibrillation?
What is Atrial Fibrillation? This question is asked by students in this edition of the Nurse Florence series. A group of students see the school nurse at lunch and ask if they can sit with her; once they are all settled, Nurse Florence asks what they want to learn about today. One girl says that a family friend has just been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and wants to know what that means. This leads to an in-depth discussion about what one is, how it can be caused, what this means for the person with it and things that can be done to prevent getting one. The girls learn a lot of science and medical terminology and have a great discussion on things to do to keep one’s body healthy.
Nurse Florence®, What is Atrial Fibrillation? written by Michael Dow, is written about a fictional nurse, but all the information in the story is based on facts. Dow uses correct medical terminology to explain things, and while this may be daunting at first, there is a glossary to look up the term. As an adult, I learned a great deal from this book, so I am positive that this would benefit children interested in science and medicine. The illustrations done by Lorie Brooker are done in colored pencil drawings. This allows younger children to look at things like blood pumping through the heart without being too graphic for sensitive readers. It is a great way to introduce these concepts in an approachable manner.
For children with an interest in medicine or teachers wanting to expand students’ interest in STEM, Nurse Florence®, What is Atrial Fibrillation? is a fantastic book to introduce to kids. This easy-to-follow children’s book teaches readers about A-fib and helps them understand how it is diagnosed, how it occurs, and what can be done to treat and prevent it.
Pages: 119 | ISBN : 1329376684
Interesting Human Body Questions
Nurse Florence(R): Why and How Do We Sneeze? follows three friends who learn from the nurse about sneezing using medical terminology in a way children can understand. What was the inspiration for your story?
The Nurse Florence series explores general science concepts (i.e. sneezing) and diseases so that families can understand how their body better. We’re going to explore all interesting human body questions so it was time to do one about sneezing.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted kids to understand what kinds of things may cause a sneeze in their environment so that’s why we discussed allergens. I also wanted kids to understand the complexity of a sneeze so that’s why we included things about the brain and some muscles to show the interaction that goes within the body. Our bodies are amazing and I want to share the excitement of human physiology with young readers.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
My goal for every Nurse Florence book is to make sure that the writing is understandable at an elementary level. My nine year old daughter is one of my editors and she gives me the thumbs up before publishing any of these books.
What is the next book in the Nurse Florence series that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Dow Creative Enterprises is publishing a new book almost every week. Check our website to see a picture of them all. We are about to publish Nurse Florence, What is Arthritis? which will help kids understand what their loved ones may be going through. Our goal is to publish around 500 books in the series by the end of 2026 where a family would buy the disease books that affect their family so that everyone can feel more informed about their health. Even parents are reporting learning something new in every book.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Nurse Florence(R), Why and How Do We Sneeze?
Nurse Florence(R): Why and How Do We Sneeze? by Michael Dow is an engaging and informative read that is sure to captivate young readers. The story follows three girls, Jen, Condi, and Sonia, as they explore the reasons why people sneeze. Through their lunchtime conversation with Nurse Florence, the girls learn about different types of allergens that can cause sneezing. The book introduces young readers to the world of science and medicine in a fun and creative way. What’s more, the author’s use of scientific terminology encourages young readers to learn and explore new concepts.
I appreciated the author’s approach to language, where he explains the use of bigger words, often found in prestigious schools, to aid in their understanding of the human body’s mechanics. The author does an excellent job of simplifying complex concepts, making the book easy to understand for young readers. The captivating illustrations in the book add an extra layer of engagement, bringing to life the different types of allergens and making the book an enjoyable visual experience.
I highly recommend Nurse Florence(R): Why and How Do We Sneeze? to parents, teachers, and anyone interested in introducing young readers to the world of science and medicine. It is an excellent resource for teachers looking for an exciting way to introduce scientific concepts to their students, with the added benefit of sparking their curiosity to learn more about the human body.
Pages: 58 | ISBN : 1387529749
LITERARY TITAN 