DINOSAUR DOUGLAS BOOKS

finalistDinosaur Douglas Books offer an exciting, fun way to explore health-related subjects for Early Years children, including oral health, vitamin D, obesity, hand-washing and toxic stress. Written in rhyme and illustrated by international artist Alex Godwin, they are ideal for bedtime reading, PSHE and literacy.

You can buy Dinosaur Douglas Books here.

Dinosaur Douglas Books are Finalists in the Early Years Excellence Awards.

Dinosaur Douglas and the Beastly Bugs

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Alarmed at the state of children’s teeth in the UK – where dental decay and infection is the most common cause of hospital admission in under-fives each year - Heather decided a new approach was needed. With input from Kate Barnard, Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, she created a fun, rhyming story about a naughty dinosaur, to encourage children to take regular care of their teeth. Hammersmith & Fulham Council purchased 5,250 copies to give to young children across the borough. Doncaster City Council is adding the book to 3,500 oral health packs for children. RDASH NHS Foundation Trust purchased 1,750 copies. The book is highlighted in the Government document Tackling Poor Oral Health in Children.

“This book is definitely the best children's book we have read about the importance of brushing your teeth.” British Dental Journal

“Up and down the land children will do anything to get out of brushing their teeth . . .this fantastic rhyming book reinforces the importance of regularly brushing teeth.” The Sun

Difficult Days for Dinosaur Douglas

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Alerted to the need to combat toxic stress in children, Heather joined forces with Hammersmith & Fulham Family Support to write Difficult Days for Dinosaur Douglas.

Working closely with Family Support, Alberta Wellness Initiative, the NSPCC and FrameWorks, she created a lively picture book, featuring loveable Dinosaur Douglas and his friends, to highlight the importance of supportive relationships in the first five years of a child’s life.

If a child experiences too much toxic stress in Early Years, it can have a lasting effect on the brain; but given time and care from loving adults, the young brain can build a firm base and learn to become strong and resilient.

“The vivid, primary-coloured illustrations by Alex Godwin ideally complement the lively text . . . This is a highly recommended series.” The School Librarian

Dinosaur Douglas and the Yucky Mucky Fingers

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When Heather discovered that about 1.8 million children under the age of five die each year from diarrhea and pneumonia, the two top killers of young children around the world, she decided something dynamic needed to be done.

Joining forces with Paediatric Consultants at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and with input from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, she created a fun, rhyming story, about cheeky Dinosaur Douglas and the importance of washing your hands.

Educating young children about hand-washing with soap could stop the spread of disease - from the common cold to the more serious flu, hepatitis A and meningitis. Hand-washing with soap could protect about one out of every three children, who suffer from diarrhea, and almost one out of five with respiratory infections like pneumonia. It may even help prevent skin and eye infections.

“Heather's splendid Dinosaur Douglas series continues to inform and educate young children . . . whilst at the same time telling a brilliant story in rhyme and with Alex Godwin's superb illustrations helping to reinforce key points. The timeless lure of dinosaurs and the terrific added bonus of getting important health messages across continues!” (Books Monthly)

Dinosaur Douglas Has Fun in the Sun

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With the rise of illnesses associated with vitamin D deficiencies, including rickets, dental disease and convulsions in the very young, Heather joined forces with Paediatric Consultants at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to tackle the problem.

The major source of vitamin D is sunshine but children are not getting enough of it. Television, iPads, computers and computer games keep them indoors.

Dinosaur Douglas Has Fun in the Sun, is the first fun picture book to encourage children to spend time in the sun, while taking care not to burn. It also teaches them which foods are rich in vitamin D.

“A bestselling children’s author has joined forces with paediatric consultants to create a book aimed at helping children understand the importance of getting Vitamin D by playing outside.” (Mail on Sunday)

Dinosaur Douglas and the Rumble Grumble Tum

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When Heather discovered the average five-year-old was consuming the equivalent of their body weight in sugar each year, she created a fun, rhyming story about Dinosaur Douglas, with input from Paediatric Consultants at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Over-eating sugary food and drinks can lead to dental decay, weight gain and obesity, affecting children’s wellbeing, causing low self-esteem, bullying and missed school days. Yet this can be avoided by educating children, while they are very young. Dinosaur Douglas and the Rumble Grumble Tum uses the familiar, inimitable character of Dinosaur Douglas to encourage children to think about the food they eat, and to exercise.

“Story books that convey a vital health message have to be convincing and well illustrated, and Heather's use of rhymes combined with Alex's terrific illustrations… ensure that they grab the children's attention right from the word go.” (Books Monthly)

What people say about Dinosaur Douglas Books:

Dino-D-launch-2 “I was really impressed with the way the children were able to connect to the books … even about something as complex as Vitamin D. The discussions that resulted were really fruitful. The themes, covering healthy lifestyle choices, are unlike any that I have been able to find for children in a fictional text, so I found it really useful.” (KB, Y1 Teacher, Greenside Primary School, London W12)

“Our boys and girls loved Dinosaur Douglas, and it inspired us to be creative with the curriculum: we played with dinosaur small toys, brushed toy dinosaur teeth, painted pictures of dinosaurs and, in role play, we created a dental surgery.” (Emma Monks, Clayton Brook Nursery, Lancashire)