Dr. Hippo Explains It All
Jojo had been talking about the children’s museum for about 9 months. When his Grandmother visited last week, the opportunity presented itself for her to take him. The morning he was to go to the museum he woke up looking very pale. As Grandmother and Jojo pulled into the parking lot of the much-anticipated museum, Jojo vomited.
I felt so sad for him being *THISCLOSE* to his dream of the children’s museum, only to get sick in the parking lot and not be able to go inside!
Dr. Charlotte Cowan created a collection of children’s books to help educate and reassure families about common childhood illnesses.
Each book features one illness and explores how it affects 
the life of the main character.
In The Little Elephant with the Big Earache , we meet Eddie Elephant and learn about what it feels like to have (and get better from) an earache.
Katie Caught a Cold chronicles what happens when an ice skating polar bear gets a cold.
Peeper Has a Fever is about a frog with a fever of 104° who wants to get better and participate in a diving contest!
Sadie’s Sore Throat is about a giraffe with a sore throat and has to have a throat swab (something I always found to be traumatic as a child!).
The Moose with Loose Poops is about a moose with vomiting and diarrhea (gastroenteritis).
Each animal is the patient of a friendly pediatrician hippopotamus named Dr. Hippocrates.
Every book is a gorgeous hard cover with 32 pages of full color illustrations. I also love that in a pocket inside of the pack cover is included a separate laminated Parent Guide that contains advice about how to keep your child comfortable, and what are some signs that should prompt you to call the doctor.
This evening at bed time, we read The Moose with Loose Poops. Though the title makes me snicker, this is a seriously good book! Four-year-old Miles the Moose is stricken with stomach upset and “throws up” one afternoon. Later, he also has diarrhea and has to postpone a fun father-son camping trip.
Jojo listened solemnly through the entire story. I thought he would laugh at the “poop” talk, but he seemed sympathetic, actually. He has definitely been in Miles’s shoes before. He is also keenly interested in the digestive system, beyond the cursory love of “potty talk”. Nick and I once overheard him acting out a scene with his action figures in which one party was eaten. Jojo made the consumed one call out, “Help meee!!! I’m in the bowel!”
The books in the Dr. Hippo series contain well-written stories. I was expecting more of a scientific approach, but each character is really made “human”. Miles the Moose wants his special stuffed Raccoon when he feels sick. The mothers are all helpful and reassuring when caring for their sick animal children. The sick characters also have siblings that they interact with in a realistic way. Tasteful but descriptive language is used to help little ones understand the nature of each sickness.
The parent guides in the back of each book are a wonderful resource. In the back of Peeper Has a Fever, I learned that if a child between the ages of 3 months and 2 years has a fever over 102 F (39 C), it is time to call your doctor for advice. I always thought that 104 was the time for concern, but that applies to children ages 2 and older.
As a testament to how well the Dr. Hippo books were received by a real live 4-year-old boy, I read him one title to Jojo on a night when he was having trouble falling asleep. After completing the book, he wanted to read the other 4 titles. I told him to stay in my bed and look at them while I took a shower. He stayed engaged with these books for 27 minutes! That was definitely a first! Thanks for the peaceful shower, Dr. Cowan!
The Hippocratic Press has very generously offered to give one reader the entire Dr. Hippo Series of all five titles, including Peeper Has a Fever, Katie Caught a Cold, Sadie’s Sore Throat, The Moose with the Loose Poops, and The Little Elephant with the Big Earache. That is an $89.75 value! Yowza! AND? Author Charlotte Cowan, M.D., will autograph the books, personalizing them for your child!
1.) To enter to win, visit http://www.drhippo.com/ and leave a comment here telling me something you learned! They have a blog too if you want to search for an interesting fact there.
Please don’t just comment with “Enter me” or “Sounds great”. That totally annoys me. Those entries are not eligible to win.
One winner will be chosen at random.
This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address.
This contest will close July 3, 2009, 11:59 CST.
*Contest closed and winner announced!*
Browse more giveaways here, or list your own!
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22 June 2009, 5:52 am
Children have 6-10 colds a year! I’d go nuts if my kids had that many! With 6 kids.. that’s a ton of down time
22 June 2009, 8:42 am
The author’s three children had all of the illnesses she’s written about. I wonder what she’ll come up with next!
BTW - I’ve added the Moose with Loose Poops to my son’s Amazon wish list!
22 June 2009, 11:44 am
I learned that over 22 million days of school are lost due to colds.
22 June 2009, 11:52 am
i learned that ear infections are responsible for 30 million office visits and more than 10 million antibiotic prescriptions annually.
22 June 2009, 11:52 am
subscriber
22 June 2009, 11:54 am
I’m a subscriber.
22 June 2009, 11:54 am
I learned that acute gastroenteritis is responsible for 300 deaths a year!
22 June 2009, 12:17 pm
Wow, I didn’t realize this!
Children do not need any juice. The only nutrient in juice is vitamin C, and this is readily available for children in fruit itself. Note that fruit is entirely natural, is not processed, and is filled with fiber shown to be increasingly important in the diets of people of all ages.
22 June 2009, 12:18 pm
I’m an email subscriber.
22 June 2009, 12:18 pm
I tweeted this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/slmiresse/status/2278058858
22 June 2009, 12:21 pm
I voted for you (284). Good luck!
22 June 2009, 12:22 pm
I voted for Katydid and Kid (313)
22 June 2009, 12:56 pm
I learned that “approximately 7.3 million outpatient visits attributable to sore throat occur yearly among children in the US, and group A streptococcus is responsible for 15%-36% of cases.” YIKES!
22 June 2009, 12:57 pm
I’m an email subscriber!
22 June 2009, 2:31 pm
I learned that over the counter cold and cough medications are not considered safe or effective for children under the age of six years old
jceko77@yahoo.com
22 June 2009, 2:31 pm
email subscriber
jceko77@yahoo.com
22 June 2009, 2:42 pm
Toddlers from 12-23 months who ride in a rear facing car seat are five times safer than children their age riding in forward facing seats.
22 June 2009, 2:42 pm
I subscribe.
22 June 2009, 3:40 pm
The fact that Dr. Cowan’s stories are written for children underscores the national literacy campaign. That’s really cool. Neat books for sure.
22 June 2009, 4:15 pm
I like that each book comes with a parent’s guide. For example the cold book includes a guide that not only addresses the question of appropriate antibiotic use but also suggests what (if any) over-the-counter medications might be helpful. Additionally, she alerts parents to worrisome symptoms and gives clear guidelines for calling the pediatrician.
22 June 2009, 4:29 pm
I was surprised to learn that juice is not important for kids to drink. Thank you!
22 June 2009, 4:29 pm
I’m a subscriber.
22 June 2009, 4:30 pm
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/kewpiedoll04/status/2280928852
22 June 2009, 4:30 pm
I voted for you today vote count at 286
22 June 2009, 4:31 pm
Voted for Katydid and Kid vote was at 315
22 June 2009, 6:48 pm
I learned that Dr. Cowan has a degree in English from Princeton besides her Medical degree. That is imprssive.
Thanks for the chance to win…..
22 June 2009, 6:48 pm
I’m an email subscriber
22 June 2009, 6:54 pm
I voted for you…. vote count 291.
Good Luck.
22 June 2009, 6:54 pm
I voted for Katydid and Kid… vote count 320.
Good luck to her, also.
22 June 2009, 7:00 pm
Voted again (292). C’mon folks we need more votes for Mom Most Traveled!
22 June 2009, 7:02 pm
Voted again for Katydid and Kid (321).
22 June 2009, 7:03 pm
Dr. Cowan is a physician and wanted to write for children to educate them.
22 June 2009, 7:03 pm
I subscribe.
22 June 2009, 9:14 pm
A giraffe is more likely to have a sore throat since it has such a long neck and an elephant is the best candidate for an earache although a sinus infection would have worked as well.
23 June 2009, 2:32 am
These books are wonderful! I’m so behind on entering giveaways, but I had to enter some of yours!
I love their blog post on juice drinking. I haven’t given my son juice, but so many people say it’s not so bad. Dr. Hippo disagrees, and I’m taking his advice. Why start it, when kids can drink milk to get more nutrients?
23 June 2009, 2:34 am
I subscribe
23 June 2009, 2:34 am
I learned that Over-the-counter cold and cough medications are not considered either safe or effective in treating children under age 6.
nhmummab@comcast.net
23 June 2009, 2:35 am
Voted for you! I can’t remember the count, but i do this every day.
23 June 2009, 2:35 am
email subscriber
nhmummab@comcast.net
23 June 2009, 2:54 am
I voted today!
Mom Most Traveled
298 votes
23 June 2009, 3:20 am
I voted with my other email address. You were 299 (cool - I was your 300th vote!)
23 June 2009, 3:23 am
I was interested in the juice information - Children do not need any juice. The only nutrient in juice is vitamin C, and this is readily available for children in fruit itself. I haven’t convinced my husband of this but since I do the shopping … my kids drink more milk and water than juice.
23 June 2009, 6:56 am
Over the counter cold medicine is not safe for kids under 6!??? WOW!!!
23 June 2009, 6:56 am
Im a subscriber!!
23 June 2009, 4:45 pm
I voted for you today and your vote was at 307
23 June 2009, 4:46 pm
I voted for Katydid and Kid her vote count was at 342
24 June 2009, 12:56 am
I just voted - 322
24 June 2009, 12:56 am
Voted for katydid and kid - 354
24 June 2009, 1:01 am
I voted today. You were 324.
24 June 2009, 1:01 am
I voted for Katydid and Kid - 355
24 June 2009, 1:06 am
I’m an email subscriber. Thanks for the chance to win.
24 June 2009, 9:21 am
Each book in the Dr. Hippo Series is 32 pages, hard cover, full color and includes a separate laminated Parent Guide written in question/answer format.
24 June 2009, 11:44 am
I voted again today - you were at 331 prior to my vote.
24 June 2009, 11:44 am
I voted for Katydid and Kid today - she was at 359 prior to my vote.
24 June 2009, 11:51 am
Voted - you were at 332
24 June 2009, 11:51 am
Voted for Katydid and Kid - 360
24 June 2009, 11:58 am
I posted a link to the contest on Facebook
(username slmiresse)
24 June 2009, 12:21 pm
Children have 6-10 colds a year. That sounds like a lot, but its pretty accurate for my house!
24 June 2009, 1:52 pm
my grandkids would love these books
24 June 2009, 2:14 pm
Oh my nieces would find these so fascinating! I found out kids in this country has 6 to 10 colds a year! That’s pretty crazy, but it does seem accurate.
24 June 2009, 4:47 pm
6/24 entry!
24 June 2009, 4:47 pm
I votede for MMT 337 votes
24 June 2009, 4:48 pm
I voted for Katydid 367 votes
24 June 2009, 5:01 pm
I learned that children have 6-10 colds a year, which is a lot. thanks.
kport207 at gmail dot com
24 June 2009, 7:19 pm
I had no idea a giraffe is most likely to have a sore throat!! Thanks for the chance. mogrill@comcast.net
24 June 2009, 7:30 pm
we use alot of hand sanitizer
24 June 2009, 7:36 pm
I would love to win this.
Each book in the Dr. Hippo Series is 32 pages, hard cover, full color and includes a separate laminated Parent Guide written in question/answer format
Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
24 June 2009, 8:28 pm
I voted today!
Mom Most Traveled
343 votes
24 June 2009, 8:30 pm
I voted.
Katydid and Kid
372 votes
24 June 2009, 9:05 pm
I think that these books are so helpful to kids!
24 June 2009, 9:07 pm
Each book has a parent guide, that’s nice.
24 June 2009, 10:07 pm
I didn’t know - Over-the-counter cold and cough medications are not considered either safe or effective in treating children under age 6.
24 June 2009, 11:06 pm
her children had all these ailments mverno@roadrunner.com
25 June 2009, 1:46 am
Dr Cowan is a parent of three!
25 June 2009, 2:51 am
Dr. Hippo’s mission is “to write age-appropriate stories for sick children that entertain, educate and reassure both parent and child;
To provide guides for parents which answer common questions, offering advice about when to call or visit the doctor and how to comfort the child at home.”
25 June 2009, 3:10 am
I learned that over 22 million days of school are lost due to colds.
25 June 2009, 3:11 am
I am already subscribed via email.
25 June 2009, 4:33 am
I always thought it was important for kids to drink juice, but it isn’t really needed!
25 June 2009, 5:39 am
I learned in Sadie’s Sore Throat book that Her story is as educational as it is entertaining and will provide comfort to both parent and child.
25 June 2009, 5:42 am
I subscribed, skyskyaa11(at)gmail.com
25 June 2009, 6:31 am
they have faq sections in the book - so cool
autumn398 @ yahoo.com
25 June 2009, 11:19 am
I voted for you … 349
25 June 2009, 11:19 am
I voted for Katydid and Kid … 379
25 June 2009, 11:34 am
I voted today. You were at 350.
25 June 2009, 11:34 am
I voted for Katydid and Kid. She was at 380.
25 June 2009, 2:15 pm
I learned that AAP (as of this April) recommend that all children younger than two years old be restrained in rear-facing carseats. I thought it was still the 20 pounds, 12 months rule…
25 June 2009, 2:16 pm
Subscribe to blog by email.
25 June 2009, 2:31 pm
Voted for you - 353 before I did!
25 June 2009, 2:33 pm
Voted for Katydid - count was 382
25 June 2009, 2:55 pm
Juice isn’t really important for kids to drink. Very strange to hear that.
25 June 2009, 3:25 pm
6/25 entry
25 June 2009, 5:04 pm
I learned that acute gastroenteritis is responsible for 300 deaths a year!
25 June 2009, 8:51 pm
I voted for you today you have 358 votes
25 June 2009, 8:52 pm
I voted for Katydid and Kid she has 388 votes.
25 June 2009, 9:28 pm
I voted today: Mom Most Traveled, 359 votes.
25 June 2009, 9:30 pm
I voted today: Katydid and Kid, 389 votes.
26 June 2009, 2:26 am
I learned that ear infections are responsible for 30 million office visits and more than 10 million antibiotic prescriptions annually, wow!
26 June 2009, 2:27 am
I subscribe
26 June 2009, 2:31 am
I follow on twitter and did a tweet (jessilyn82) http://twitter.com/Jessilyn82/status/2337709998
26 June 2009, 2:33 am
I voted for you, it was 360 before I voted
26 June 2009, 2:34 am
Katydid and Kid was 388 before I voted
26 June 2009, 2:27 pm
I read about Dr. Hippo’s Mission.
To write age-appropriate stories for sick children that entertain, educate and reassure both parent and child.
I also like the guides for parents which answer common questions, offering advice about when to call or visit the doctor and how to comfort the child at home.
26 June 2009, 2:28 pm
Already a subscriber!
26 June 2009, 2:40 pm
I posted on Facebook. Still learning my way around.
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=91625279022&h=7CL27&u=LG_rR&ref=nf
26 June 2009, 2:42 pm
Submitted to Stumble: src1964
26 June 2009, 2:57 pm
Submitted to Digg: src1964
http://digg.com/health/Dr_Hippo_Explains_It_All_Childrens_Book_Giveaway
26 June 2009, 3:00 pm
Tweeted: src1964
26 June 2009, 3:08 pm
Mom Most Traveled
346 votes
26 June 2009, 3:09 pm
Katydid and Kid
379 votes
26 June 2009, 4:38 pm
I voted for you you had 347 votes
26 June 2009, 4:39 pm
Katydid and Kid had 380 votes
26 June 2009, 8:35 pm
Katydid and Kid had 384 votes before I voted today.
26 June 2009, 8:38 pm
You were 350 before I voted today. It’s getting harder and harder to find your spot - they seem to be adding people all the time.
27 June 2009, 1:54 am
I learned that children under 6 should not take over the counter cold and cough medicines.
27 June 2009, 2:05 am
I voted today, Mom Most Traveled, 353 votes.
27 June 2009, 2:06 am
I voted today: Katydid and Kid, 390 votes.
27 June 2009, 2:24 am
I learned that they have helpful info for parents in addition to the sweet, educational stories for children. I love that they incorporate the needed info for parents in addition to the stories for the kids.
27 June 2009, 4:01 am
there are faq sections in the books!
autumn398 @ yahoo.com
27 June 2009, 4:58 am
6/26 entry!
27 June 2009, 12:52 pm
You were 358 before my vote today.
27 June 2009, 12:53 pm
Katydid and Kid was 398 before my vote today.
27 June 2009, 1:31 pm
I voted … you were at 359.
27 June 2009, 1:31 pm
I voted for Katydid and Kid - 399.
27 June 2009, 1:36 pm
I tweeted the giveaway
http://twitter.com/slmiresse/status/2358694089
27 June 2009, 2:45 pm
i would love to win these for the twins
27 June 2009, 9:28 pm
Voted for you 361 votes.
27 June 2009, 9:29 pm
Voted for Katydid and Kid 402 votes.
28 June 2009, 12:10 am
I learned that the author has three children who had all of the illnesses that she’s written about.
cweller75@gmail.com
28 June 2009, 12:27 am
in Sadie’s Sore Throat “Sadie tells her mom that it hurts to swallow and that her stomach hurts. ” this is a great way to tell kids how to express they are not feeling well in ways that help a doctor diagnose them! this series of books is such a wonderful Idea!
28 June 2009, 5:06 am
I learned that Acute gastroenteritis continues to be a common illness among infants and children worldwide
28 June 2009, 5:06 am
Email subscriber
28 June 2009, 5:07 am
Shared on Facebook - Bridget Hopper
http://www.facebook.com/bridget.hopper?ref=profile
28 June 2009, 5:07 am
tweet
http://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/2368304457
28 June 2009, 6:14 am
Blogged about giveaway
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-book-giveaways_28.html
28 June 2009, 3:15 pm
Voted today and you had 370 votes.
28 June 2009, 3:16 pm
Voted for Katydid and Kid and she had 417 votes.
29 June 2009, 1:53 am
I had no idea that there was such a set of books like this. What a wonderful tool to explain to your child what is going on!
29 June 2009, 2:53 am
I learned the most common complaint of children in the Pediatric Emergency Department is fever.
29 June 2009, 2:47 pm
Voted you had 388 votes
29 June 2009, 2:48 pm
Voted Katydid and Kid had 435 votes.
29 June 2009, 8:55 pm
LEARNED: over 22 million days of school are lost due to colds….
29 June 2009, 8:55 pm
subscriber
30 June 2009, 1:43 pm
I voted and you had 411 votes.
30 June 2009, 1:43 pm
I voted for Katydid and Kid and she had 455 votes.
30 June 2009, 3:23 pm
6/30 entry!
30 June 2009, 3:23 pm
6/30 entry! I voted for MMT 416 votes
30 June 2009, 3:53 pm
6/30 entry! I voted for Katydid and kid 458 votes
30 June 2009, 4:34 pm
Wow! I learned that ear infections are responsible for 30 million office visits and more than 10 million antibiotic prescriptions annually. I had no idea!!!
30 June 2009, 4:34 pm
I’m an email subscriber!
30 June 2009, 9:07 pm
I voted: Mom Most Traveled at 422 votes!
30 June 2009, 9:08 pm
I voted: Katydid and Kid at 466 votes.
01 July 2009, 12:18 pm
I learned that Children do not actually need any juice.
I always thought this was a required drink.
01 July 2009, 1:56 pm
I voted today you had 432 votes
01 July 2009, 1:56 pm
I voted for Katydid and Kid she had 471 votes.
01 July 2009, 3:06 pm
7/1 entry!
01 July 2009, 3:07 pm
7/1 entry! I voted for MMT 416 votes
01 July 2009, 3:07 pm
7/1 entry! I voted Katydid and Kid 458 votes.
01 July 2009, 8:28 pm
I learned that kids should eat fruit instead of drinking juice because of the fiber.
01 July 2009, 8:28 pm
I voted! Mom Most Traveled 438 votes
01 July 2009, 8:30 pm
I voted for Katydid and Kid too - 477 votes.
01 July 2009, 10:02 pm
These books sound great! What an amazing way to teach kids about illnesses!
01 July 2009, 11:08 pm
The author has three children, like me!
02 July 2009, 12:43 am
I learned that children under 6 should not take over the counter cold and cough medicines.
02 July 2009, 2:47 am
i learned that fruit is better than juice
02 July 2009, 11:54 am
I voted today. You were 444.
02 July 2009, 11:55 am
I voted for Katydid and Kid. She was 482.
02 July 2009, 12:41 pm
I had learned children have 6-10 colds a year!
02 July 2009, 7:41 pm
Voted today and you had 451 votes
02 July 2009, 7:42 pm
Voted today and Katydid and Kid had 488 votes
02 July 2009, 8:22 pm
I learned that over the counter cold and cough medications are not considered safe or effective for children under the age of six years old. Thanks for the chance!
02 July 2009, 9:10 pm
I learned the number of colds children get per year
02 July 2009, 10:27 pm
I learned that over the counter cold and cough medications are not considered safe or effective for children under the age of six years old
03 July 2009, 12:26 am
I learned the importance of maintaining a cheerful and positive attitude when your children are sick so that the nervousness and worry on their part is alleviated.
03 July 2009, 1:31 am
acute gastroenteritis is responsible for 300 deaths a year!
03 July 2009, 2:32 am
I learned that “In the US, diarrhea accounts for more that 1.5 million outpatient visits, 200,000 hospitalizations and 300 deaths per year”. How scary!!! Thanks!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
03 July 2009, 4:00 pm
Voted again you had 460 votes.
03 July 2009, 4:00 pm
Voted for Katydid and Kid and she had 495 votes.
03 July 2009, 4:13 pm
I learned that over 22 million days of school are lost due to colds
03 July 2009, 4:38 pm
Children do not need any juice con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
03 July 2009, 4:51 pm
7/3 entry
03 July 2009, 4:54 pm
7/3 I voted for MMT 464 votes
03 July 2009, 4:54 pm
7/3 I voted for Katydid 497 votes
03 July 2009, 7:20 pm
I learned that diarrhea accounts for more that 1.5 million outpatient visits per year. Thank you.
03 July 2009, 7:42 pm
The author has 3 kids- and they have had all of the illnesses that she’s written about!
03 July 2009, 9:17 pm
I did not realize that there were 10 million prescription written a year for ear infections. Thank you
03 July 2009, 9:38 pm
I learned that fever is the most common complaint of children seen in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
03 July 2009, 9:38 pm
I sub via email.
03 July 2009, 9:49 pm
I learned that American children have 6-10 colds each year. Geez, that’s an awful lot!
03 July 2009, 9:50 pm
I’m an email subscriber
03 July 2009, 10:01 pm
because not all parents in America read English well, Dr. Cowan has matched the illustrations of her stories to the questions and answers in her “Parent Guides,” which are included with her books. This visual relationship should help to cue parents and enable them to focus on areas of concern for them and their child.
03 July 2009, 10:01 pm
subscriber
03 July 2009, 10:04 pm
http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/2460600054
03 July 2009, 11:31 pm
kids have 6-10 colds per year. mine has 2. wow. he is lucky.
03 July 2009, 11:31 pm
subscriber
04 July 2009, 12:25 am
children have 6-10 colds a year
04 July 2009, 1:46 am
Fever is the most common complaint of children seen in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
04 July 2009, 3:55 am
The author suffered illnesses detailed in these stories.
04 July 2009, 4:11 am
Bodily functions are a life long hassle. I want to ease the psychological pain.
04 July 2009, 4:27 am
I learned that children have 6-10 colds a year.
04 July 2009, 4:28 am
I subscribed by email.
04 July 2009, 4:41 am
Children have six to ten colds a year.
04 July 2009, 4:57 am
I learned that over 22 million days of school are lost because of colds