Blog Archives
Nurse Florence®, What Do Hormones Control?
Nurse Florence, What Do Hormones Control? by Michael Dow invites young readers into the fascinating world of hormones through a lively exchange between Nurse Florence and a circle of inquisitive students. The narrative moves quickly yet smoothly, guiding children through what hormones are, how amino acids help create them, and why these chemical messengers influence everything from appetite and growth to mood and sleep. Clear explanations, approachable language, and an assortment of fun facts, food examples, and real-life scenarios help anchor the concepts. Emily Daugherty’s illustrations further illuminate the material, turning complex biology into something both welcoming and enjoyable.
Dow’s approach is inventive and well-paced, offering an accessible entry point into a topic that can easily overwhelm. Framing the lesson as a casual lunchroom conversation softens the science and creates a sense of ease, as though readers are simply listening in on a friendly chat. Nurse Florence serves as a confident and reassuring guide, encouraging curiosity and giving children the freedom to explore scientific terms and medical ideas without intimidation.
Clarity stands out as one of the book’s defining strengths. Technical words, amino acids, homeostasis, and others, are introduced thoughtfully and woven into everyday dialogue, complete with pronunciation guides to support young learners. Vivid, relatable examples, such as signals traveling from the stomach to the brain to announce hunger, help translate abstract science into something tangible. Dow’s commitment to building health literacy is unmistakable, extending from his careful explanations to his emphasis on real dietary sources of the nutrients that support healthy hormone function. Rather than relying on oversimplification, the book presents a genuine, interconnected view of the body, linking hormones to emotions, physical development, sleep patterns, and reproduction.
Emily Daugherty’s artwork enriches each chapter, giving readers visual anchors for the chemical structures and processes described on the page. A glossary and journal section at the end offer additional layers of engagement, transforming the book into a resource that can grow with young readers. While certain scientific terms may stretch the vocabulary of the youngest audience members, the narrative encourages discussion and welcomes adult guidance, making questions a natural part of the learning journey.
Nurse Florence, What Do Hormones Control? lays a solid foundation for budding interest in science and personal health. Families, educators, and school libraries will find it a valuable tool for nurturing curiosity and helping children build an early understanding of how their bodies work.
Pages: 66 | ISBN: 1300839228
Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Occipital Lobe
The story centers on Jean, Condi, and Sonia, three inquisitive children eager to understand how the brain functions much like a video camera. Nurse Florence becomes their guide as she introduces the occipital lobe and its essential link to the eye, the partnership that makes sight possible. She moves steadily deeper, revealing how the retina and neurons work in concert. Her explanations clarify how the brain interprets color and distance, and how spatial processing helps us recognize shape, texture, and detail. All of this unfolds through the intricate signals passed from eye to brain.
Dow structures the book with a clear purpose: to empower young readers with scientific language early in life. He aims to stretch their vocabulary and broaden their intellectual horizons. His hope extends even further, that exposure to these concepts will inspire children to eventually explore careers in STEM fields. Some may argue that the terminology is ambitious for young readers, yet it feels like an intentional step toward long-term success. Children absorb information rapidly; their developing brains welcome precision. Learning how the body works, with accurate terms, gives them a strong foundation for later understanding.
Reading this book taught me more about vision than I ever gleaned from a standard biology course. The comparison between a camera and the occipital lobe struck me as unexpectedly insightful, illuminating how closely the two systems mirror each other in purpose and design. YunTse Lee’s illustrations elevate the experience further. The placement of the occipital and temporal lobes becomes immediately clear, and the artwork itself, clean, vibrant, and thoughtfully composed, beautifully supports the narrative.
The book is rich and engaging, and it also introduces a few non-scientific words that can help broaden young readers’ vocabulary. These words present exciting opportunities for learning and curiosity across different age groups. Dow’s storytelling is lively and well-structured. The plot flows naturally, and the three young protagonists embody the boundless curiosity children often display after discovering something fascinating.
I highly recommend this book to parents who want to nurture their children’s understanding of how we perceive the world. It invites young readers into the wonders of the human brain, offering both knowledge and inspiration.
Pages: 73 | ISBN: 1300881984
Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Bladder.
Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Bladder is a warm, easygoing children’s book that explains how the bladder works through a simple lunchtime conversation between three girls and Nurse Florence. The story mixes everyday school life with clear medical teaching, so kids learn about urine, bladder signals, and healthy bathroom habits without feeling overwhelmed. It’s straightforward, friendly, and built to make anatomy feel normal rather than awkward.
I liked how smoothly the author blends casual dialogue with real science. Sonia mentioning she “really had to go to the bathroom” sets up the whole discussion, and Nurse Florence jumps right in with a clear explanation of how the bladder stretches and signals the brain when it’s about half full. It feels like the kind of natural conversation curious kids might actually have, and the mix of school-day chatter with anatomy lessons works surprisingly well.
I was also impressed by how direct the book is. When Nurse Florence talks about strong-smelling urine being a sign of infection, the information is simple and non-scary. The same goes for advice not to urinate constantly without urges because it can make the bladder more sensitive. I appreciated how open and practical the writing is; it doesn’t tiptoe around bodily functions, and it doesn’t make them awkward. Kids get clear facts they can use.
Some of the boldest parts ended up being my favorites. The book openly mentions topics adults usually avoid with kids, like why you shouldn’t hold urine too long or how older adults often wake at night to urinate. It even explains that women may leak urine for a while after giving birth. I honestly didn’t expect that level of honesty in a kids’ book, but I admire it. It normalizes real experiences and gives kids vocabulary they’ll eventually need.
By the time the girls head back to class talking about what they learned, the book leaves you with a sense of calm, curiosity, and confidence. It’s educational without being heavy and caring without being sugary.
I’d recommend Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Bladder to elementary-age kids, teachers, parents, and even pediatric healthcare workers who want a friendly, no-nonsense way to teach anatomy. It’s perfect for curious young readers and for adults who appreciate clear, warm explanations of how the body works.
Pages: 51 | ISBN: 1300907142
Bart Bantam The Flying Rooster
Bart Bantam the Flying Rooster, written and illustrated by Fred Pollard, delivers a warm, spirited tale that appeals to readers of every age. Brimming with charm, gentle humor, and an uplifting message, it offers inspiration without ever feeling heavy-handed. Geared toward children ages 5–8, the story follows Bart short for Bartholomew Bantam, a small bantam rooster with an outsized dream: to fly. In a world where chickens stay earthbound by instinct and self-doubt, Bart pushes past limits with courage, kindness, and a determination that refuses to dim. His journey becomes a reminder that self-belief can lift even the most impossible dreams off the ground, a theme that resonates with anyone who has ever reached for something beyond their grasp.
The illustrations bring the story to life with vivid color and lively detail. Each page feels animated and inviting, pulling young readers deeper into a landscape shaped by whimsy and perseverance. Pollard’s artwork mirrors the cadence of the narrative, making the book a natural fit for family read-aloud moments. Beneath its playful tone, the story carries a deeper truth: differences are not drawbacks but quiet strengths waiting to be acknowledged and celebrated.
What resonated with me most was its message, one that stirred ambitions I’d long tucked away. Dream boldly. Rise above ridicule. Keep going when the world insists you can’t. Even under the weight of Billy’s bullying, Bart and his friend Buddy leap to help when danger threatens him. Forgiveness, bravery, and self-trust intertwine here with surprising depth. Pollard takes a simple premise, a rooster determined to fly, and uses it to explore resilience, kindness, and the grace of choosing compassion over resentment.
Bart Bantam isn’t just another children’s comic; it’s a feel-good reminder that small wings can still carry enormous dreams. Young readers will find a hero in Bart’s boundless enthusiasm, while adults will appreciate the quiet wisdom tucked between the lines.
Pages: 26 | ASIN : B0DYNS8LK6
Elevate That Inner Shine
YOU Yoga takes young readers on a wonderful journey into mindfulness and self-discovery through gentle rhymes that guide readers to breathe, stretch, and listen within. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My personal Yoga Journey has given me tools to use in my own adult life that have shown great promise in easing stress, anxiety and overall improved wellness. I wanted to share my discovery with my little audiences through this story.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to ensure that the book appealed to both boys and girls, therefore the protagonists in the story are depicted as animals to give that uniformity and appeal to both genders. I too wanted to ensure that readers could experience the awe and the inner knowing that we are all born with our bright light and how yoga can elevate that inner shine and promise within.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Yulia Potts?
Thank you! I truly gave Yulia “carte blanche” to depict the story she saw fit with my guidance of course, but I really allowed her creativity to feel expressive throughout this book.
Will this book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
This book was created as a “one off” to my traveling mindfulness Series. While the themes within all my books remain siilar, I wanted this book to have its own look and feel -thus using Yulia as my illustrator so this book could stand out and feel more whimsical and natural.
Author Links: Instagram | Facebook | Website
spark and shining brightly along your yoga
journey—a path where your little one can
begin to discover their true self.
Inside each of us lives a masterpiece, quietly
waiting to be revealed—an awakening to the
fullest expression of YOU.
May these pages bring YOU peace, like a
gentle song, and help YOU feel at home in
your heart.
It’s the calm that lingers when
the world grows loud.
Enjoy this simple story of
remembering who YOU truly are.
This is your journey.
This is YOU, yoga angel.
Entertaining and Educational
The Adventures of Moly follows a lovable therapy dog who time-travels to ancient Pompeii, befriends a Roman boy and his dog, and faces history’s greatest disasters with courage, heart, and wagging tail. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I always knew that Pompeii would be the destination for Moly in her second adventure. My wife and I visited the ruins of that ancient city on our honeymoon, and I figured that children would love a story about a civilization where a volcano erupted nearby.
How did you research Pompeii to make it come alive for young readers without making it too scary?
I focused on what life was like for everyday Pompeiians and wanted to make it relatable by having a Pompeiian child with his dog guiding Moly through the city’s streets to help steer the narrative. I felt that children would find that entertaining and educational.
The illustrations add so much warmth. Did you collaborate closely with the artist, and how did that process work?
Yes I did. First, I supplied Valeria Leonova, the illustrator, with the final draft of the story with illustration suggestions. Then she supplied illustrations for my review and approval. The process takes about eight months from start to finish.
Can you give us a hint about Moly’s next time-travel destination?
Moly will be traveling on The Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman in her third adventure.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Instagram
Moly isn’t just a sweet Beagle Terrier—she’s a loyal companion who brings joy to children at Renaissance Academy and adventure to everyone she meets.
But her biggest secret? She can leap through time.
This time, her paws carry her to the bustling streets of Pompeii—an ancient city full of color, laughter, and hidden danger. As Moly explores Roman life, she discovers new friends, breathtaking wonders, and the looming shadow of a disaster no one sees coming.
For kids, every page is a doorway into history. For parents, it’s a story filled with heart, courage, and the kind of magic that makes reading unforgettable.
Perfect for readers who love adventure, friendship, and stories that bring history to life. Scroll up and join Moly on her next unforgettable journey through time!
You Are Always in My Heart
You Are Always in My Heart, by Rebecca Choy, is a tender and honest children’s book about love, loss, and the power of memory. It’s told from both a grown-up’s and a child’s perspective, showing how they each face the idea of death and saying goodbye. Through gentle words and warm illustrations, it explains that while death means someone can’t come back, love never goes away. The story also gives children comforting ways to remember someone, by writing, drawing, hugging a favorite toy, or looking at photos. It’s bilingual, too, written in both English and Cantonese, which adds a special cultural touch.
This is a heartfelt children’s book. The language is simple, but the feelings are big. I found myself tearing up more than once, especially when the child wonders if the parent will die and how they’ll cope. The way the author handles that fear is so real and compassionate. There’s no sugarcoating, just honesty mixed with comfort. I also loved how it quietly teaches emotional resilience, reminding both kids and adults that it’s okay to cry, to be angry, to be scared. The writing feels like a soft hug during a hard talk.
What really stood out to me was the cultural layer about Cantonese traditions and how death is often not talked about. That part felt so important. It makes the story not just about love and grief, but about breaking the silence and giving children permission to ask tough questions. It’s thoughtful and brave, but still full of warmth. And the illustrations, crafted by Choy and her daughter Bella, are full of heart. They draw young readers into the story with a beautiful simplicity.
I’d recommend You Are Always in My Heart to parents, teachers, or anyone who wants to help a child understand loss in a gentle way. It’s not just for kids who have experienced grief, but for any family that wants to build openness and empathy. This is the kind of picture book you keep close, maybe even read together when life feels a little too big. It’s tender, healing, and full of love.
Pages: 48 | ISBN : 978-1-7389652-1-2
LITERARY TITAN 