Popular blogger Dr. Mom pens kids book about COVID

Stephanie Liu with son George, the inspiration behind her latest children's book, Georgie Shark and COVID-19

When her daughter Madi was two years old, local family physician and alumna Stephanie Liu, ’13 MD, decided to write a children’s book in her name—Madi Monkey Learns the Body. Not wanting to play favourites, she’s known ever since her son George was born that she would one day find time to do the same for him. So when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it felt like the perfect time to write another book, this time in George’s name. Hence was born Georgie Shark and COVID-19.

The colourful picture book—illustrated by Jessica Binnington—aims to explain pandemic rules and restrictions to toddlers and young elementary-school kids in a way that calms their anxieties and encourages them not to lose hope. While its protagonist is definitely a nod to her son, Liu says the inspiration for the book came mostly from the questions now-four-year-old Madi had around the pandemic.

When the pandemic struck, Madi was particularly bewildered by the loss of connection with her grandparents; even though they don’t live in town, they have always been very close and visited frequently. She had other questions, too, says Liu. “‘Why are we masking? Why can’t we hug our friends anymore?’” were just a few. 

Thinking back to her own fears around doctor visits as a small child, Liu knew that sitting toddlers like Madi down for a serious lecture about rules was an ill-advised approach. “As a doctor now, I try to make my office a non-scary experience for kids. With this book, I thought I could also take a potentially scary situation and make it less intimidating.” 

“I think you can use children’s books to tackle really serious issues,” says Liu, and educational messages like the ones in Georgie Shark serve a dual purpose: they deliver important information in a palatable way to kids, while also supporting parents and guardians who have the difficult job of enforcing those messages around the clock at home.

Liu has been gratified by the positive comments about the book from parents on her popular blog, Life of Dr. Mom. “When kids understand why safety is so important, it’s a lot less difficult to ask them to try to avoid touching things, to keep their mask on,” is a recurring theme in the comments, she says. Liu herself was reluctant to take her children anywhere at the beginning of the pandemic, because the logistics were so challenging, she recalls. But with the help of Georgie Shark, now Madi understands why the rules are so important. This has freed Liu up to feel more confident in letting her go back to some of her normal activities, such as preschool—so important to the social development of little ones.

Liu has always enjoyed connecting with the community both as a family physician and through her blog. Georgie Shark is another way to reach out, connect and give back to the city she loves, she says, and this spirit of altruism has spread to some of her colleagues across the country, too. Two classmates from her MD program are planning to purchase large numbers of the book—one to share in the Ontario pediatric ward where he works, and one to give out in the postpartum ward in the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. And, in keeping with Liu’s desire to give back, anyone buying a copy from her blog can designate partial proceeds to either the Lois Hole Hospital or the Canadian Premature Baby Foundation. 

The book is certainly meant to educate, says Liu, “but it was important for me to end Georgie Shark with a message of hope: ‘Even though we can’t be close physically right now, we still love each other. If we all work together, we’ll beat COVID.’”

Liu’s message of hope also extends to exhausted parents and caregivers, who may be struggling to balance the demands of the busy holiday season with the restrictions brought on by the pandemic. “Take it easy on yourself; don’t feel too guilty about not being perfect,” she says. “Try to enjoy this time with your family and make sure you take some time for yourself as well.”

Georgie Shark and COVID-19 is available to purchase at the Life of Dr. Mom blog. Shoppers can use promo code LHHWS to donate $2 from each purchase to the Lois Hole Hospital, or CPBF to donate $2 to the Canadian Premature Baby Foundation.