What's Bugging Nurse Penny?: A Story about Lice

PreS-Gr 2—This entertaining read will inform children about a common but dreaded occurrence. Nurse Penny, the lovable, fist-pumping school nurse, can tackle anything from tummy aches to bee stings. But, one afternoon the students notice that "something chased away [Nurse Penny's] smile," and they become concerned about her. She starts to head home, but then decides to use her own situation as a teachable moment at an extra-special, last-minute school assembly. Her case of head lice, "those creepy, crawly critters," is presented through fast facts, misperceptions, and simple illustrations. Amusing depictions of known characters, such as mummies and werewolves, are shown—all of whom have been known to be affected by lice in their day. Hair-lice treatment and tips on how to avoid these "pesky little pugs" are discussed in helpful and entertaining ways. Emphasis is placed on lice not being a disease and not being a sign of uncleanliness. Additional facts about lice are included in the addendum, provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Realistic, yet whimsical, illustrations fill each spread, focusing on each character's animated facial expressions. Nurse Penny will dazzle readers with her radiant personality, ladybug handbag, and butterfly-adorned nurse's outfit. Pair this title with Catherine Stier's Bugs in My Hair?! (Albert Whitman, 2008).—Krista Welz, North Bergen High School, NJ