Sunny Goes to the Beach
Sunny Goes to the Beach
A Children's Book on Sun Safety
By Katherine C. Troutman
llustrations by Davinia Palmer
Sun safety must start right away. This book teaches children, parents & caregivers sun safety best practices through a beach day story.
The Story
The Story
My son, a toddler, has books on tooth brushing, potty training, sharing, tying his shoes. But in my searching, I found few children's books that teach children about specific sun-protective measures beyond putting on sunscreen. In my practice as a dermatology nurse practitioner, it was clear that most people do not know best practices for sun protection.
We know that early childhood is a formative time for developing habits. Children model their behavior after parents, caregivers, and mentors, as well as from what they see and hear in stories. This book serves as another source to help guide and reinforce children's' behavior. Like brushing our teeth, protecting our skin from the sun and its consequences could and should be second nature.
Sunny is a young girl who loves to play outdoors, especially the beach. Fortunately for Sunny, her parents are sun savvy, modeling and reinforcing best practices for sun protection, including use of sunscreen, sun-protective apparel, and sun gear. Sunny asks to bring her friend, Isla, to the beach. Isla has less experience with sun safety. During this rhyming tale about sand and surf fun, Sunny's parents educate Sunny and Isla on sun safety through words and actions.
As an added bonus, the book contains "Sun Facts" for parents and caregivers that address common issues, questions, and misconceptions about sun safety. These Sun Facts appear in the margins and provide practical tips for parents and caregivers to protect themselves and their children. The Sun Facts are all derived from guidance from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
About Us
About Us
Katherine "casey" Troutman, FNP
As a dermatology nurse practitioner for more than five years, the range of questions and concerns my patients, family, and friends brought to me about their skin was incredible. The predominant theme was sun safety, and it became clear that, by and large, neither children nor their parents and caregivers know exactly how to protect themselves.
Books are incredible tools for imprinting behaviors on the minds of children. Not long after reading a story, we hear children repeating a character's words and imitating her actions. Very few children's books demonstrate best practices for skin protective behaviors. And parents and caregivers can be overwhelmed with the many pieces of advice they hear or read. A children's book is a unique way to help children and their parents and caregivers learn together.
Casey also writes about skincare issues on her blog, Skintranslations.
davinia palmer
In Swansea, South Wales it rains a lot. I spent those rainy days as a child drawing, painting and making doll houses, and as I recall, I once made a My Little Pony castle with a drawbridge out of old cereal boxes and wool.
Creativity has always been within me and has shown in my career as a TV and radio host and voice-over artist. However, creating pieces of art is still something I hold very dear to my heart.
I met Casey in the last year through a very good friend and was immediately drawn to her. She has a spark and was very passionate about the "Sunny Goes To" book series. When she learned about my artistic capabilities, she contacted me to illustrate the project. I’m very excited to be involved in this project and to see this book come to fruition. If it makes it to the stores, watch out for me thumbing a copy at your local Barnes & Nobles.