Doctor Doctor

You, dear reader, are the new doctor, facing a crowded hospital waiting room with patients of all ages needing attention – ‘My tummy hurts’, ‘Agh, my leg!’, ‘I can’t breathe.’ In comes the first patient to a chorus of ‘Let’s ask the new Doc. What do you think?’ Happily there are split pages to reveal that the painful leg is caused by a multiple fracture. We meet patients with common colds, chicken pox, cuts and bruises, as well as more serious conditions such as diabetes, but the tone is reassuring throughout, with bold artwork showing how treatment is given and explanation about how the body fights disease and infection. There is a strong health message too. Overweight Gran, who was admitted with a suspected heart attack and underwent angioplasty, is now keeping fit by taking regular exercise, while the child with asthma carries his inhaler with him. A lively and informative guide to health care from this deservedly popular husband-and-wife author/illustrator team, the book could also provide a helpful introduction for a child about to go to hospital.