The Dr. Hippo Series by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.

A while back I had the pleasure of reviewing Charlotte Cowan's most recent release in her Dr. Hippo series, The Moose With Loose Poops. It was funny, yet offered great insight for parents and children on a regular run of the mill tummy bug. My daughters and I enjoyed the book, and were absolutely thrilled when the author asked if we'd like to review the rest of her series. Naturally, we accepted without a second thought!

Cowan does a brilliant job of connecting the reader to her stories, and offering a tangible look at the disconcerting feelings and body reactions a child deals with when he or she is sick. Her story style takes the form of entertainment, but hidden within is a concept that even the youngest of readers can understand. No one likes to be sick, especially when it's for the first time. What Cowan does through her stories is helps familiarize her readers with the facts about some everyday common illnesses, and puts an exact name with each. By doing so, she helps take the edge off the unknown, thereby helping to calm the fears and concerns children can feel when they're sick.

Parents too can benefit from checking out this line because each book includes a handy, laminated Parent's Guide. The guides each discuss, in a question/answer format, the concerns the parent may have regarding best caring for their child who happens to be suffering from the illness the character in the story also dealt with. These handy reference guides are not meant to take the place of a real doctor visit, but they may help ease the parent's concern and guide them in knowing at what point they should consult their child's physician and what to do for their child themselves until that point is reached. As with any book, these guides serve as recommendations only, and all parents should always follow their gut instinct when best deciding whether to call the doctor or not.

Now for a quick synopsis of each individual title...


The Little Elephant with the Big Earache by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrated By: Elaine Garvin
Geared Towards: Ages 2-7
Published By: The Hippocratic Press
Publication Date: September 2004
ISBN: 978-0-975-3516-04

Eddie the Elephant is preparing for a birthday celebration with his cousins. He doesn't have time to be sick. But an icky ear ache makes him have to slow down and sit out some play time in hopes of getting better. Momma gives Eddie some medicine to help make his ear feel better, but only Dr. Hippo can determine for sure the full extent of Eddie's ache.

Peeper Has a Fever by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.

Illustrated By: Susan Banta

Geared Towards: Ages 2-7

Published By: The Hippocratic Press

Publication Date: October 2005

ISBN: 978-0-975-3516-28

Peeper the Frog is looking forward to going to the big picnic withhis family and friends. He wants to try to win the diving competition. But a nasty fever stops Peeper in his tracks. Dr. Hippo thinks the fever is just the on set of an infection which means that Peeper must stay home and get lots of rest. Will medicine and rest help Peeper get back on his feet in time for the big contest?

Katie Caught a Cold by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrated By: Katy Bratun
Geared Towards: Ages 2-7
Published By: The Hippocratic Press
Publication Date: October 2005
ISBN: 978-0-975-3516-35

When Katie the Polar Bear begins to sneeze uncontrollably, she worries that she won't be allowed to skate in the upcoming Ice Show. Dr. Hippo doesn't think it sounds like anything more than a household variety cold, but she still must take care of herself and get better if she wants to participate. Lots of rest and warm fluids can help make Katie better, but will she feel alright in time?

Sadie's Sore Throat by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.

Illustrated By: Katy Bratun

Geared Towards: Ages 2-7

Published By: The Hippocratic Press

Publication Date: November 2006

ISBN: 978-0-975-3516-42

Sadie the Giraffe can't wait for her school's art fair. Her contribution is going to be the beautiful necklaces she's been working hard to make. But when Sadie's throat starts hurting and she comes down with a fever, prepping for the fair is the least of her concerns. Momma gives Sadie medicine to help ease the pain in her throat and to bring her fever down, but only a trip to Dr. Hippo can tell them for sure what's causing Sadie to be sick and how to properly treat her.


One of the commonly shared themes in this series is that each child has some big event getting ready to take place that suddenly gets tossed in the air with the introduction of the child's illness. I think it's a unique way to approach not only the sicknesses themselves but also how each child can expect to deal with them. Life gets put on hold when you're sick, and learning to be patient can be difficult. Each story shows what process a child can expect to go through when dealing with a particular infection or sickness, and shows what kind of behavior they should have despite how unpleasant the situations can be. (An example of this would be how willingly each child takes his or her medicine and visits Dr. Hippo despite the intense desire not to.) When you are sick it can feel like it lasts forever. But what's great about these books is that they show, in each story, that an end is in sight. And even when things don't go exactly like the characters would like, they still find a way to be happy.

OUR RATINGS: 5 hearts (each)