The “Nurse Florence” Coloring Books Inspiring a New Generation of Nurses
In the world of children's literature, an innovative new book series aims to inspire the next generation of nurses. The "Nurse Florence" book series, authored by Michael Dow, aims to introduce kids to health and science at a young age.
A Coloring Book That Educates and Entertains
With titles including: "What are Tears?,” "What is Type 1 Diabetes?," “Tell Me About the Nose,” “Why Do We Have to Drink Water?," and more, the series is titled "Nurse Florence for Beginning Readers Coloring Book.” This unique publication combines the engaging format of a coloring book with educational content about nursing, creating an interactive experience for young readers. By merging entertainment with education, Michael Dow has crafted a tool that not only captures children's attention but also imparts valuable knowledge about the nursing profession.
The coloring book format serves multiple purposes. It allows children to express their creativity while simultaneously absorbing information about nursing. This hands-on approach to learning can be particularly effective for young children, making complex concepts more accessible and memorable.
The Author Behind the Series
Author Michael Dow was planning to attend medical school until the events of September 11, 2001 occurred. He joined the Air Force as a result of the attacks, completed Officer Training School and specialized Navigator training to become an Electronic Warfare Officer. After six deployments between 2005 and 2009, Dow medically retired in 2010 and became a US Army contractor serving Wounded Warriors. He then used his GI bill to go through nursing school, graduating in August 2020. Today he works as a Registered Nurse at an inpatient psychiatric hospital in Tucson, AZ.
Dow’s approach to presenting nursing concepts in a child-friendly manner indicates a keen awareness of both the importance of nursing education and the most effective ways to communicate with young audiences.
In a 2023 interview, he said, “We go into the science of emotions and other things to help kids understand the nature of emotions. We do our best to bring college-level education down to an elementary level.”
Dow’s dedication to science and education has made the series a trusted tool for teaching children about nutrition and body systems. And his books have won many awards including Best Children's Educational Series (Independent Press Award, NYC Big Book Award) and individual awards from Moms Choice Awards, Family Choice Awards and Literary Titan Gold Book Award. Dow self-publishes and has translated his books into multiple languages. He has also started animating his books.
A future book series, focusing on mental health for kids, will be titled Nurse Dorothea, “in “homage to the legendary Dorothea Dix.”
Promoting Nursing to a New Generation
One of the most significant aspects of the "Nurse Florence" series is its potential to inspire young readers to consider nursing as a future career. By presenting nursing in an approachable and engaging manner, Michael Dow is effectively planting seeds of interest in the healthcare field among children.
This approach is particularly timely given the ongoing nursing shortage in many parts of the world. By introducing children to the concept of nursing at an early age, the book series may contribute to fostering a new generation of healthcare professionals, potentially helping to address future workforce needs in the nursing sector.
The “Nurse Florence” series is available for purchase on Amazon and you can follow the series on Facebook too.
