Blog Archives
Making Medical Information Accessable
Posted by Literary_Titan

Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Colon follows three friends who ask the school nurse about the colon, and she explains the parts, functions, and importance of the colon. What challenges did you face when writing this book?
The Nurse Florence® project publishes books as fast as the illustrators can produce drawings so the challenge I deal with is not being able to publish books in the project faster. We are aiming to complete the project of around 500 books in the series by the end of 2029.
With so many topics to cover with Nurse Florence, how do you decide which topic is the next one you will cover?
We partner with illustrators to help decide topics. Since the disease books can be so long, I usually ask the illustrator if there is a disease that affects their family that they want to cover. If not, then we have a master list of diseases that we pick from. Sometimes we pick a disease that is popular in the news at the moment, and every fourth book is a rare disease book so we have a list of those as well that we are going through.
Are there any authors you draw inspiration from?
Anyone that is thorough. I enjoy reading evidence-based research articles regarding health topics.
I have noticed that some of your Nurse Florence books come with a corresponding coloring book. How do you decide which topics will have a companion coloring book?
Companion coloring books are actually the choice of the illustrator. If they choose to take the time to take out the color and send me lined art, then we create coloring books. Over a third of the Nurse Florence® series has been turned into a coloring book edition. We want kids to learn another coping skill of drawing as they learn to relax and find peace.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, childrens books, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kids books, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Dow, nook, novel, Nurse Florence®, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, Tell Me About the Colon, writer, writing
Science Is Fun!
Posted by Literary_Titan

Nurse Florence®, Why Do We Need Vitamin K? follows three friends and the school nurse who explore what vitamin K is, why our bodies need it, where to get it from, and even what happens if we don’t have enough. Why was it important to share this information with children?
I believe in the premise that children are capable learners and want to learn things as there are, as we know them to be. We should avoid using words that are “for kids” and instead present information accurately so that they grow to be very informed and educated adults.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
For me, it’s not having enough time. I would write three kids books a day if I was able to financially.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
I love to write all the Nurse Florence® books because it involves a lot of science. Science is fun!
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
Nurse Dorothea® presents Healthy Relationships and What to Do and How to Be to Maintain Them (www.nursedorothea.com)
Nurse Florence®, What is Long QT Syndrome? and Nurse Florence®, What is Batten Disease?
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, childrens books, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kids books, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Dow, nook, novel, Nurse Florence®, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, Why Do We Need Vitamin K?, writer, writing
Empowering Kids
Posted by Literary_Titan

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
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, childrens books, ebook, goodreads, health, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, medical, Michael Dow, nook, novel, nurse florence, Nurse Florence®, picture books, read, reader, reading, series, story, Why Do I Need to Have Iron in My Diet?, writer, writing
Educating Whole Families
Posted by Literary_Titan

Nurse Florence®, Why Do We Need Vitamin B3 or Niacin in our Food? follows curious kids who learn medical science from a friendly nurse who believes young readers deserve the truth about their health. Why did you choose B3 for this story?
The series is addressing many diet related questions. Kids are usually just told by authority figures to take their vitamins. We are writing vitamin related books to help parents educate their children about the need for each of the essential vitamins as well as provide a resource for doctor’s offices so that their patients can feel informed and empowered.
How do you decide which “big words” or technical terms to introduce to young readers?
The first draft has many terms and then after review, I remove some of the “big words” so that a child doesn’t feel overwhelmed with too many new science words. I leave the most important terms in the final version of the book.
What has been the most surprising or rewarding feedback you’ve received from kids or parents about the series?
The best feedback we have received so far is that adults of all ages are learning from these books even grandparents. This series is helping educate whole families about their health. Since the books have started to be translated into other languages and are available in many online retailer websites around the world, this project may help to really improve the health literacy levels of people in most if not all cultures.
What challenges did you face when writing about potential risks of niacin, like overconsumption, without scaring kids?
I want kids to know they can take too much of a good thing and that turns into a problem. Most everything should be done in moderation.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, childrens books, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kids books, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Dow, nook, novel, Nurse Florence®, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, Why Do We Need Vitamin B3 or Niacin in our Food?, writer, writing
Organizational Public Service
Posted by Literary-Titan

Nurse Florence®, What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy? follows a young girl who visits the school nurse to learn more about her great-granddad’s diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Why was this an important book for you to write?
The Nurse Florence® project asks illustrators to do a rare disease book every fourth book they are assigned. The illustrator, Lorie Brooker, asked for us to do this topic since it affected her family. Dow Creative Enterprises® believes in its mission of educating the public even if the book never becomes a best-seller. It is an organizational public service we do in order to help our world understand itself a little better.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Pathophysiology is always important in a Nurse Florence® disease book. We want to bring the science of human physiology down to an elementary level to inspire the next generation into careers in the health sciences.
What was one of the hardest parts in Nurse Florence®, What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy? for you to write?
There are not hard parts with writing Nurse Florence® especially since I’ve written so many (168 as of May 2025). It is relaxing to write Nurse Florence®, and it has turned into a coping skill. I encourage anyone who loves to write to write often so they sharpen their skills and produce works for others to enjoy.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next Nurse Florence® is about the Common Cold. The next Nurse Dorothea® is about Anxiety. We have a third series that will start this autumn about citizenship. The company has plans for about 30 more children’s series.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | Amazon
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Children's books, ebook, educational, goodreads, health, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Dow, nook, novel, Nurse Florence®, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, writer, writing
Health Procedures
Posted by Literary-Titan

Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed? follows three friends who ask the school nurse about wisdom teeth, and they learn what they are, why they need to be removed, and what the removal process involves. What was the inspiration for this story?
The Nurse Florence® series is dedicated to educating families about human physiology, disease processes, procedures, healthy living, and safety awareness. We publish a new book every 5-10 days and are planning on publishing 500 in the series. It was time to talk about wisdom teeth.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I don’t want kids to feel scared with health procedures and I attempted to ease people’s fears about this procedure.
How do you approach explaining the procedure realistically, without overwhelming or scaring children?
I used medical documents to guide the writing, and I just discuss everything the medical researcher finds as important to the topic. I review the material and write it in a way that is understandable for the whole family. I try to keep one main idea to each page so that I don’t overwhelm people.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth removal is a procedure that is required for many people and is safely done usually in an outpatient clinic. Trust your dentist if they are advising you to have the teeth removed.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | Amazon
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Children's books, dental procedures, ebook, goodreads, Health and Wellness, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Dow, nook, novel, Nurse Florence®, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?, wisdom teeth, writer, writing
Nurse Florence®, What is Albumin?
Posted by Literary Titan

This concise and engaging children’s book introduces readers to three inquisitive young students, Jean, Condi, and Sonia, who engage in a thoughtful discussion with Nurse Florence during their school lunch break. The subject of their conversation is albumin, a vital protein found in the human body. Presented through accessible and friendly dialogue, the book clearly outlines what albumin is, its role in the bloodstream, and its significance in overall health. The narrative is part of a broader educational series aimed at enhancing scientific literacy among children by introducing them to complex topics in an approachable manner.
In Nurse Florence®, What is Albumin? The tone is cheerful, the characters are relatable, and Nurse Florence serves as that ideal teacher figure, warm, knowledgeable, and approachable. One moment that stood out to me was Nurse Florence’s explanation: “Albumin helps transport things like calcium, fatty acids, and toxic metal ions.” While this is far from typical elementary school conversation, the book presents it in a way that feels both accessible and intriguing. It strikes an effective balance between scientific accuracy and age-appropriate storytelling, making complex information feel engaging and understandable.
The writing is clear and accessible, which serves the intended young audience well. The dialogue maintains a polished and upbeat tone throughout, which helps reinforce the educational focus of the book. The children’s responses are consistently positive and enthusiastic, offering a sense of structure and clarity that young readers can easily follow. While the conversations lean toward formality, this approach likely supports comprehension and keeps the learning environment respectful and focused. It creates a setting that feels purposeful and guided, reinforcing the book’s role as a teaching tool. The illustrations by Lindsay Roberts bring warmth and energy to the narrative. They are visually engaging and provide important context, helping to sustain interest. A particularly effective moment is the depiction of albumin, paired with Condi’s enthusiastic response, “Wow, that’s amazing!” which captures the intended sense of wonder in a visually memorable way.
What I especially appreciated was how the book ends on a thoughtful note, tying the science lesson back to real life. Nurse Florence explains that abnormal albumin levels can signal serious health issues, from liver disease to kidney failure. That kind of information could empower a kid to ask better questions at the doctor’s office or just understand a bit more if someone in their family is sick. The last page, where the girls reflect on what they’ve learned while finishing lunch, gives the story a neat emotional wrap-up. It reminded me how powerful learning can be when it’s tied to curiosity and conversation.
Nurse Florence, What is Albumin? is a clever tool for any parent, teacher, or health professional wanting to plant a seed of scientific interest in young minds. It’s especially perfect for kids aged 7–11 who are curious about how their bodies work or who enjoy science-themed books. I’d recommend it for classrooms, homeschool families, or even pediatric waiting rooms. It’s not flashy, but it’s sincere, well-researched, and most importantly, it respects its readers.
Pages: 53 | ISBN : 9781304153548
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, childrens books, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kids books, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Dow, nook, novel, Nurse Florence®, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, What is Albumin?, writer, writing
Nurse Florence®, What is a Mast Cell?
Posted by Literary Titan

This book is a friendly and surprisingly thorough introduction to mast cells and their role in the immune system, told through a lunchtime chat between three curious schoolgirls and their approachable school nurse, Nurse Florence. It’s part of the “Nurse Florence®” educational series, which aims to boost health literacy among kids by gently weaving scientific concepts into relatable stories. With clear explanations, colorful illustrations, and even a glossary, the book manages to pack in solid information without overwhelming the reader.
Right off the bat, I liked the setup with a few kids hanging out at lunch, chatting with a nurse. It feels natural, and the conversation flows in a way that doesn’t talk down to kids, which is refreshing. When Nurse Florence explains that mast cells are like the body’s alarm system, it’s such a simple analogy, but super effective. I found myself nodding and thinking, “Yeah, that’s exactly how I’d explain it too.” The book balances being informative and kid-friendly surprisingly well.
I really appreciated the way complex topics were broken down. Like, the part where Nurse Florence explains histamine and how it makes your blood vessels open up, or how it leads to swelling, mucus, and even vomiting, those could’ve been gross or scary, but instead, they’re just cool and relatable! I also loved that she shows a drawing of an antibody when the kids ask to see one. That interactive tone made me smile. It made me wish I had a Nurse Florence when I was a kid.
For a book aimed at kids, Michael Dow still manages to keep things engaging through repetition and visuals. It’s smart writing that trusts kids to keep up. Plus, those cheerful, inclusive illustrations help soften the science and give it a bit of warmth.
Nurse Florence®, What is a Mast Cell? is a solid win for any kid with a curious mind, especially those who ask questions about how the body works. It’s also a great tool for parents, teachers, or even pediatric nurses who want to start health conversations with younger audiences.
Pages: 60 | ISBN : 9781304153609
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, childrens books, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kids books, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Dow, nook, novel, Nurse Florence®, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, What is a Mast Cell?, writer, writing





