What genre are you most comfortable writing? I, happily and excitedly, write for the childrens’ book market for ages 4 to 10.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I feel that Human Body Detectives series is the modern version of Magic School Bus.
What inspired you to write your first book? Basically, I was flipping pancakes one Sunday morning when it dawned on me that I could write a series of entertaining and educational adventure stories through the different systems in the body; however, it all began in the classroom. When my kids were younger, I spent time in their elementary classrooms, talking about the digestive system and nutrition. It was quite obvious that kids loved learning about how their bodies work and what foods best fueled them. I searched through the library, book stores and Amazon but was unable to find any books about the human body that were engaging. When I was flipping those pancakes, I was pondering all this and knew that kids would gravitate towards these books and in return, would provide a profound, long-term healthy effect on them. Human Body Detectives, specifically, The Lucky Escape: An Imaginative Adventure Through the Digestive System, was then born.
Do your books have a teaching objective? If so, what is it? Yes! But what is so wonderful about the series is that kids do not even realize they are learning. My goals for students are:
- Have a basic understanding on how each body system functions, how they work independently, yet are dependent on each other to function optimally.
- Understand the important role nutrition plays in having a healthy body.
What is your writing schedule? I usually spend a few hours in the morning writing down ideas and key medical points for the story and then begin writing. It maybe a little backwards but I like to just get writing as you can always edit!
What projects are you working on now, or plan for the future? My fourth books on the skeletal system right now and plan to write journeys through the nervous and muscular systems.
What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest? At the end of each story there are a few more pages to reinforce what the kids have learned: a brief journey through the specific story, trivia, jokes, diagrams, and glossary. I really want kids to understand how their bodies work and why eating healthy food is important.
Do you plan on doing a series for older kids? Funny you ask this. I recently launched the Human Body Detectives Go To School Nutrition 101 for Middle and High School curriculum. It is an extensive nutrition unit for grades 6 through 12. It is full of entertaining labs, practical information and simple everyday guidelines to food and nutrition.
What’s your favorite place in the entire world? East Africa. Before studying biology in university, I was fortunate enough to spend 9 months in East Africa working with Daphne Sheldrick and her orphaned elephants. Not only is the wildlife incredible but so are the people – the African continent is simply majestic.
What do you do to unwind and relax? I hike in the mountains with my energetic and happy dogs, and hang out at the beach surfing, paddle boarding and snorkeling with my family. When time allows, I like to get on an airplane. I loved to travel and see the world.
For those wanting to know a little more about Dr. Heather: Dr. Heather Manley, who in 2001 received her medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, is a practicing physician whose primary interest is preventative healthcare for families. She is the author of the award winning Human Body Detectives, her children’s educational series of story-telling books, eBooks, and iPhone/iPad apps. She also promotes wellness and naturopathic healthcare on her website DrHeatherND.com. She lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with her husband and two daughters, and is currently at work on the next human body adventure for kids.
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Genre – Children’s Book
Rating – G
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