The grounds of the nursing home were attractive, well cared for, and very welcoming. Inside, the rooms were large and bright. There was no unpleasant odor and the floors were clean and polished to a high shine. As I complimented Mrs. Bale, the head administrator, she smiled and nodded. Yes, she said, when I take families on a tour they are always surprised at how nice and home-like our facility is. But, then, they inevitably turn to me and say: ‘But of course we couldn’t bring the children here’.
The old perception of all nursing homes or assisted living facilities being dark, scary places persists. And, while moving into such a facility brings safety and the ease and convenience of leaving behind daily chores like cleaning, shopping, cooking, and yard work, there are also some sacrifices: leaving familiar surroundings and friends and giving up treasured possessions as well as the memories that go with them. How very sad, then, on top of all that sacrifice, one would have to give up regular visits with grandchildren. I looked down at Frosty, my Scottish Terrier therapy dog, and her brown eyes were pleading with me: Do something!
The Nurse Frosty books were born out of that comment in the nursing home. Designed to help children understand such facilities, the stories of Nurse Frosty and the residents of the Four Paws Retirement Home are told with a light humor that will appeal to youngsters and adults, too. The residents, who are all talking animals, have feelings, opinions, and flaws just like the rest of us, and, through their adventures, basic life lessons like kindness, tolerance, and understanding are gently reinforced.
In the first book, Nurse Frosty and the Four Paws Retirement Home, readers meet the main characters at the home and, of course, Nurse Frosty who cares for all their medical needs and even helps solve some non medical problems. Readers learn that when a group works together to welcome a new member who is feeling lost and sad, everyone benefits. And, there are lots of smiles and laughter along the way.
Nurse Frosty Saves the Day is the second book in the series, and it’s a mystery. The Four Paws Retirement Home has been robbed and Rodney, the home’s head administrator, and the residents are very upset. Nurse Frosty reaches into her bag of tricks to turn the residents frowns into smiles.
In the newest Nurse Frosty book: Nurse Frosty and the Wond’ear-ful Adventure, a new and very different character is introduced. Not only does she look a bit strange to the residents, she is hard to understand as well because she talks with an accent. Rodney and Nurse Frosty decide a field trip to the county fair is just the ticket to get the newest resident accepted. When a crises occurs, readers learn how our differences often help us work together successfully. A fun read with some interesting new characters, this book, like the two previous, has a few references that may go over a child’s head like the retired deputy sheriff Bernard Fifenbaum. These make it fun for an adult asked to read the book aloud over and over.
Accompanying the story are many original, whimsical illustrations in full color that will delight both children and adults. (see slide show below). Designed by award-winning illustrator, Karen Donnelly-Draak of Arooo Studios, the illustrations make the stories come alive and appeal to the child-like imagination in all of us.
The Nurse Frosty books have been well-received in children’s reading programs like Paws to Read and Read to a Dog as well as school libraries and Montessori and elementary grade classes. You can buy signed copies of all three Nurse Frosty books or individual ones directly from the author with free shipping: NURSE FROSTY. The first 2 Nurse Frosty books can be ordered from amazon.com. Kindle and e-reader downloads are available from the publisher at less than half the paperback price: lulu.com.
Meet the real Nurse Frosty: Frosty’s Page.
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