Tag Archives: doctors

There’s a Dinosaur in My Ear: An Ear Tube Surgery Book for Kids by Nat Gibson (Book Review)


There’s a dinosaur splashing around in Olivia’s ears.
And the only way to get it out is with special drains called Ear Tubes.

Young children and toddlers about to get ear tubes or grommets will gently learn what to expect through the fun imagination of a little girl – with the focus on catching a dinosaur, rather than surgery.

When Olivia learns her earaches are caused by a dinosaur splashing around in her ear, her imagination runs wild. Join her on an adventure as she prepares to meet the Dinosaur Catchers, who will give her ear tubes and capture that silly little dinosaur.

With just the right mix of information and humor, colorful illustrations, and a unique, kid-friendly concept, this fantasy story is designed to help parents guide their little ones through ear tube surgery and recovery in a playful, imaginative way.

For a touch of magic, have a small dinosaur ready for your child after surgery.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Ear pain is no laughing matter for anyone, but more so for kids. In There’s a Dinosaur in My Ear, Nat Gibson found a creative and silly way to explain what is causing the little girl’s ear pain and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. 

Like many kids around the world, Olivia suffers from chronic ear pain. The doctor informs her she has A LOT of water in her ear. She questioned how water got in her ear. This is where the silliness begins. The doctor blames it on a little dinosaur, an EAR-O-SAURUS, who readers will see splashing around in an inflatable pool. Very cute drawing! Luckily for Olivia, the doctor will enlist the help of the Dinosaur Catchers, who will put tiny tubes in the child’s ears to drain the water and capture the dinosaur, so her ears will be pain-free. 

As Olivia slept, her world transformed into a wild, imaginative scene. Instead of a stuffy backdrop, Olivia is wadding through waters and peeking through bushes with wild animals nearby. Young readers will follow Olivia’s journey from admissions (getting a nature-inspired bracelet) to the comedic picture of her bending the “weigh station.” Dinosaurs in the ear add extra pounds! After vitals and a cute costume change, Olivia and the readers meet the Dinosaur Catchers. 

Anyone’s anxiety level will rise when they face surgery or a hospital stay, especially if it’s your first time. Like with Nat Gibson’s There’s a Stegosaurus in My Tonsils, the author takes the guesswork out of the procedure. Using simple text and highlighting keywords, the writer helps kids understand that they are in good hands with the Dino team (the doctors and nurses). And when Olivia woke up, the Ear-o-sarus was by her side, ready to have fun – outside Olivia’s ear, of course! 

While this story simplified the procedure and medical issue, it didn’t cover questions (I believe) readers will have. What do the tubes look like? How big are they? Can the tubes fall out? What the author presented was creative, funny, entertaining, and informative. I highly recommend sharing this book with your child before their procedure! 

Amazon has the story marked for children between 2-6 years of age.

That is an excellent age bracket! 


Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

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Meet the Author

Nat Gibson lives in California with her husband and two children, both of whom had surgery before turning 4 years old. Her books are designed to help parents engage their child’s imagination as they go through new or difficult experiences.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

 

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A Visit to the Doggie Doctor (The Everyday Adventures of Papa & Paws Book 11) by Papa Paws (Book Review)

Today, Molly Paws and her sisters are visiting the vet for a checkup. They explore the office while waiting for their appointment. The doctor checks their ears, eyes, mouth, and heart. Will they be rewarded with a treat for being well-behaved patients?

Children’s picture book about a sweet little doggie named Molly Paws and her family.

  • Created by a dog dad, every story is based on a real-life event.
  • Toddlers and preschoolers ages 0-5(ish) will enjoy the cute illustrations of the dogs.
  • Moms, dads, and grandparents will love reading the heartwarming stories.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Molly and her siblings are getting a checkup at the Poochieville Vet Clinic today. The four dogs have mixed feelings about the trip. Why are they there if they aren’t sick? Will they get a shot? Canines, like children, experience nervousness and fear over doctor’s appointments. Many pet owners will relate to dogs who put on the brakes when they try to enter the building. Even mild-mannered felines will hiss and lash out because they don’t see the vet as a fun zone. 

As the dogs wait for their turn with Doctor Barkly (cute name, by the way), they learn the importance of regular checkups. Yes, they might get a shot, but it’s quick and only hurts a teeny bit. Plus, vets usually give a treat for being so brave! Kids might remark that they get a sticker or lollipop after they receive a shot. 

Children don’t have tails, paws, or fur, but there are some similarities between their doctor appointments and the animals’ vet visit. We both get weighed, have a light shine in our eyes, and get our ears checked out. A doctor always listens to our heart to make sure it sounds healthy and strong. Yes, there will be a time for vaccines, but not at every visit. (Read the story to find out who got a pass on getting a shot!)

Papa Paws’ stories are always entertaining with adorable illustrations. Macy looked cute in their cone of shame. Zozo was darling in her pink bow! Oh, and I loved how the author used the sweet pooches to sneak in math lessons. The price of the doggie treats was extremely high; however, I believe the dollar amount included all the examinations. At least, I hope it did! 

I give this book 5 paws up and recommend it to children 3-6 years! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Nicholas J. Nawroth is Papa Paws. He is a dog lover and artist. At age 9, he created his first comic book featuring his dog, Woody, and has been drawing ever since. He has never lost touch with his childlike wonder and love of dogs, which he shares in his stories. In his free time, he enjoys snuggling up on the couch with the family to watch movies.

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Cruel Lessons (Lessons in Peril Book 1) by Randy Overbeck (Book Review)

On a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a dangerous new hallucinogen and die in a horrific accident, their deaths shattering the quiet town. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, hoping to redeem a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the district investigation of how students are getting the drugs. Almost before he begins, the cops make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real pusher is still out there, poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous threat: if he continues, those close to him will pay. Is Parks willing to risk those he loves for a chance at redemption?

Preorder now: Amazon Purchase Link

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Cruel Lessons was a 457-page novel (print edition) that touched on a sensitive real-life issue: drugs in school. It’s common for young adults to experiment with pot, cigarettes, or alcohol. The age bracket partaking in illegal drugs exists well before high school. Cruel Lessons features the effects of drug use among 11 to 13-year-olds. Drugs are entering Foster Middle School, mainly a hallucinogen-inducing wolf tattoo. Once the young buyer presses the drug to their skin, their time is almost up. 

Cops witness numerous horrific crime scenes through their time on the force; the death of 4 young boys close to the science camp will haunt their dreams for a long time, maybe forever. 

The school board asked Ken to take point and find out how the kids got a hold of the drugs and discover if the school was liable for their deaths. The board seemed more interested if they would get sued or not. I wasn’t surprised people valued the bottom line over the loss of 4 lives. 

Ken, not a trained investigator, began to work the case. He interviewed staff members and students and enlisted the help of Bart (resource officer). His “meddling” was not appreciated by the dealer, “the doctor.” Lives were lost in the pursuit of justice. A popular teacher was fighting to prove her innocence. Through all the school drama, readers also watched love triangles unfold in the background. Wow, the cheating spouses drama could be its own soap opera. While I understand each purpose in the story, I wanted their faithful spouses to discover their misdeeds. I wanted more drama! 

The list of suspects was long. Who brought the tattoos into the school and how they did it might stun you. As you work the case with Ken and Bart, do not write off a suspect so quickly. At the end of the story, I had 75% of the resolution figured out. I was wrong about one prime suspect, which falls in the 25% category. 

Cruel Lessons will keep you guessing. When you think you figured it out, the author throws you a curveball. The uncertainty, the twists, kept me going back for more. Even though I loved the book, it left me with many unanswered questions. To avoid giving out spoilers, I will refrain from elaborating on what puzzled me. 

If you like crime stories that take time to solve, this book is for you! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:  

Releases 10/11/23: Preorder (Amazon) Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades in a range of roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent. His thriller, LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND (2012) and his recent mysteries, the Amazon No. 1 Best Seller, BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE (2019), CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY (2020) and SCARLET AT CRYSTAL RIVER (2021) have earned five star reviews and garnered national awards including “Thriller of the Year”—ReadersFavorite.com, “Gold Award”—Literary Titan, “Mystery of the Year”—ReadersView.com and “Crowned Heart of Excellence”—InD’Tale Magazine.

As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things Still Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.

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Alter by H.R. Truelove (Book Spotlight)

WHO DO YOU TRUST WHEN YOU CAN’T TRUST YOURSELF?

Lennox, Erris, Wisdom…

There are many voices in Laura’s mind but no one, not even her family will believe her.

Laura’s life is far from normal. After spending years in a medical center for seeing visions no one else can, Laura is transferred to the Tomlinson Institute of Research. There, she’s promised, lies the truth she’s been after her entire life.

But as her eighteenth birthday looms closer, Laura’s already complicated life takes a sudden turn. When she discovers what hides behind her unusual abilities, Laura’s reality is blown to pieces, and she must learn to make sense of her supernatural gifts. With a little help from the voices in her head, Laura needs to fight to save herself, the world she lives in-and every other world in the multiverse.

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Meet the Author

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H.R. Truelove lives with her family in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

She developed a thirst for reading during her long bus rides to school, and has been writing poetry, song lyrics, and short stories most of her life.

H.R. Truelove | Instagram | TwitterFacebook

 

 

 

 

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Flying Against the Odds: One Man’s Journey to New Ways of Healing by Jean-Jacques Trochon with Heather Whitehall-Trochon (Book Review)

FLYING AGAINST THE ODDS by Jean-Jacques Trochon

Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  249 pages

“IT TAKES A DIFFERENT KIND OF THINKING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAN THE KIND OF THINKING THAT PRODUCED THE PROBLEM.” —Albert Einstein


JJ had a devastating problem. At age fifty-one, he was diagnosed with stage four cancer and given three years to live. Rather than accept that outcome, JJ did what he always does: he set out to find a solution. Desiring to look beyond traditional treatments and their often harmful side effects, he put his unconventionally wired mind to work. JJ was relentless as he investigated alternative therapies and pursued global trailblazers in cancer research. Moving from the role of patient to patient-researcher, he became a trailblazer in his own right, being sought after for his latest findings.

 
Ultimately, JJ brought together the most innovative international minds at the Rethinking Cancer 2017 conference in Paris. Together, they found common ground, and they continue to create integrative, synergistic approaches to treatment.
 
Today, almost a decade after his diagnosis, JJ has defied the odds and is cancer-free. Recently retired from his career as a commercial airline captain on the Airbus A380, he now devotes himself to sharing his ongoing research with scientists and patients.
 
JJ’s story illustrates how looking at things differently often enables us to see them in a whole new light.
 
 
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours.
I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 
Flying Against the Odds: One Man’s Journey to New Ways of Healing by Jean-Jacques Trochon with Heather Whitehall-Trochon was an inspirational story about a man’s journey to combat stage 4 kidney cancer. This book also talked in-depth about those who inspired, assisted, and supported his efforts. 


Jean-Jacques has led quite an adventurous life before and after the dreaded cancer diagnosis. With his father being a pilot and then him himself, Jean-Jacques has visited many wondrous places. His travels have taken him to South Africa, the USA, and Europe. He’s also known in the rugby world and an accomplished surfer. 


He’s a man always on the go, and he wasn’t going to allow a cancer diagnosis to stop him from living. He took charge of his treatments, put in the time in cancer research, and spoke to many highly respected individuals in their field of study. He defied the odds and inspired others. 


The road to remission was not easy for him or his family. Heather, his wife, was his rock. She altered her life, her diet in support of him. I’m not a huge fan of sugary treats, but I do like to partake in a donut here and there. It must’ve been a hard adjustment to give certain foods up. Most spouses/life partners probably wouldn’t have done it. I applaud them both. (section on Keto Diet)


Jean-Jacques Trochon proved he’s do anything to starve his cancer cells. His strength and determination, his cancer-beating story, inspired a conference — a movement. (Rethinking Cancer 2017) 


He has also given researchers a new path to study in the fight against cancer. More than anything, he has given hope to those who had none. 

 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
Meet the Authors: 
 
Jean-Jacques Trochon (or JJ as he is more commonly known) spent thirty-two years as a commercial airline pilot for Air France. A French national, he enjoyed an early childhood in Tahiti before finishing his schooling in France and the USA. In 2003, JJ was diagnosed with aggressive kidney cancer and subsequently underwent the removal of his left kidney. In 2012 and 2014, he underwent further surgeries following the discovery of multiple metastases in both lungs. Despite being given a slim chance of survival, JJ again returned to work in 2016. He captained the world’s largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A380, until his retirement in spring 2020. Today, Jean-Jacques devotes his spare time to helping other cancer sufferers and spreading the word about his revolutionary approach to the disease. He was the initiator of Rethinking Cancer 2017, a groundbreaking conference held in Paris on September 21, 2017, at Institut Gustave Roussy, the leading cancer center in Europe.

Heather Whitehall-Trochon is a lover of languages and translator of French and German into English. A British national, she completed studies in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion before moving to Munich, Germany, where she worked in public relations for fashion and film. After relocating to Vienna, Austria, she had a brief stint as an editor at the Associated Press, prior to becoming a freelance translator and seasoned backpacker. Heather met JJ in Paris in 2007, marrying him the following year. The couple, together with their cat, Zulu, have now settled in Biarritz, France.

Connect with the author:
 Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

 
 

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