Heather Maisner, children's author
Books that make being healthy fun
Meet Dinosaur Douglas, the cheeky dinosaur who learns to brush his teeth, wash his hands, play in the sun and eat his greens. Five rhyming picture books, written with paediatric consultants and chosen by councils and NHS trusts.
Early Years Excellence finalist. Over 16,000 copies bought by councils and NHS trusts for young children.
Five books, five healthy habits
Each Dinosaur Douglas book tackles one thing that keeps paediatricians awake at night, and does it with a cheeky dinosaur, a rhyme and a smile.
Why the books work
Written to be read again, and again, and again
-
Rhyme
Rhythm children can join in with
Every book is told in bouncing rhyme, so children finish the lines themselves by the second reading. That repetition is exactly how a health habit sticks.
-
Experts
Checked by the people who know
Paediatric consultants at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, a consultant in paediatric dentistry, hygiene researchers and family support teams all shaped the stories.
-
Pictures
Zany illustrations by Alex Godwin
Bold, primary-coloured pictures by international artist Alex Godwin, praised by The School Librarian for the way they complement the text.
Chosen by the people who look after children's health
Dinosaur Douglas and the Beastly Bugs has been bought in bulk to put a copy into the hands of young children across whole boroughs.
-
5,250 copies
Hammersmith and Fulham Council
purchased copies to give to young children across the borough.
-
3,500 copies
Doncaster City Council
added the book to oral health packs for children.
-
1,750 copies
RDASH NHS Foundation Trust
purchased copies for children in its care.
-
Cited
Department of Health
the book is highlighted in the Government document Tackling Poor Oral Health in Children.
That is 10,500 children who have their own copy, before a single bookshop sale.
What the papers say
Definitely the best children’s book we have read about the importance of brushing your teeth.
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.
The vivid, primary-coloured illustrations by Alex Godwin ideally complement the lively text. This is a highly recommended series.
Read at home, read at school
Loved on laps and on carpets
-
Reading together in the garden. -
A dad, a toddler and the beastly bugs. -
Heather reading to a class on a school visit.
Special offer
All five Dinosaur Douglas books
Teeth, hands, sunshine, food and feelings: the whole series in one parcel for £24.00, saving over five pounds on buying them one by one.
Schools, nurseries and health teams
Buying for a whole class, borough or trust?
Bulk pricing, Big Book editions for story time and invoices for purchase orders. Councils and NHS trusts have already put over sixteen thousand copies into children's hands.