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Helping Kids Understand Their Bodies
Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Adrenal Glands breaks down the adrenal glands for readers, exploring these little hormone factories perched on top of the kidneys and all the important jobs they do, using easy-to-understand language.Why was this an important topic for you to write about for children?
I want kids to understand their body. It is very complex, but if we can break things down into smaller units of info, then they can understand. Understanding the body is important since we live in our body and need to learn ways to keep it healthy. Knowing yourself psychologically only is not enough. We must learn ourselves in the physical realm too. Learning signs and symptoms of diseases is important so that a person knows when they should go see a doctor. You cannot achieve your goals if you do not take care of yourself physically.
One of the things I enjoy about this series is the variety of illustrators you use for the books, which gives each one its own feel and prevents things from becoming monotonous. How do you go about deciding which illustrator is best suited for each topic?
It is usually random assignments except for every fourth book an illustrator does. Every fourth book is illustrator choice so they pick the topic and I do the research to get them their outline.
What is your least favorite part of being a writer?
Not having enough time.
After writing so many books, what do you feel are common traps for aspiring writers?
I feel aspiring writers should commit to write a certain amount every week/month so that progress is made. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Let us make our first step and focus on that next step in front of us so that we are always moving forward. Onward and upward!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Adrenal Glands.
Michael Dow’s Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Adrenal Glands, is a friendly explainer for kids about one of the most overlooked parts of the human body. Through a simple lunchtime conversation between three curious students and the ever-patient Nurse Florence, the book breaks down the adrenal glands, those little hormone factories perched on top of the kidneys, and all the important jobs they do. It’s a warm, accessible mix of science facts and educational storytelling that aims to make anatomy less intimidating and a whole lot more fun.
What really stood out to me was how this book doesn’t talk down to its audience. It’s written for children, but Dow clearly believes kids can handle big words and big ideas. Nurse Florence casually explains that the adrenal cortex makes corticosteroid and mineralocorticoid hormones, words that even adults sometimes trip over. But the way it’s framed, with patient step-by-step guidance and illustrations, makes it approachable. I found that refreshing.
The writing has a gentle, conversational vibe that makes everything feel less like a lecture and more like a chat with a really cool school nurse. I smiled when Nurse Florence pulled out her phone to show a diagram of the glands, something any real-life adult would do when explaining something tricky to a group of kids. It’s little moments like that that give the book a sweet, grounded tone. And then there’s the bit about how adrenaline helps us handle fear, and it hit me in a surprisingly emotional way. The explanation connected the science to the real world, and it made me think about how our bodies are kind of amazing in how they help us cope with stress and danger.
What resonated deeply with me was the book’s conclusion. After exploring a wealth of scientific information, the narrative shifts to a moment of quiet reflection among the girls. Sonia remarks, “I’m glad we have a way to deal with stress,” which serves as a gentle reminder that children experience stress just as adults do. Providing them with an understanding of their own physiology becomes a powerful form of empowerment. The brief discussion on coping strategies felt especially timely and meaningful, not simply health education, but practical guidance woven into a scientific context. It was a thoughtful and lasting takeaway.
Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Adrenal Glands is perfect for curious kids (probably upper elementary or early middle school), science-loving families, or even teachers looking for something to spark a class discussion. It’s informative without being boring, detailed without being dense, and most of all, it has heart. I’d recommend it for young readers who love asking “why,” or for parents who want to plant early seeds of STEM interest.
Pages: 61 | ISBN : 9781304276063
LITERARY TITAN 