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Who is Dr. Hippo?
Dr. Hippocrates, a character created by Dr. Charlotte Cowan, is a hippopotamus pediatrician who appears in each of her children’s books collectively known as the Dr. Hippo Series.
Who is Dr. Cowan?
Dr. Charlotte Cowan is a pediatrician who left practice several years ago in order to write stories for sick children. She felt that she wanted to reach out to her patients and their parents in ways that were impossible given the fast pace of her practice.
Believing that children and their parents do better when an illness is understood by them, Dr. Cowan sought a creative way to explain what was happening when a child was sick: What should they expect? What could they do at home to help a child feel better? When should they call the doctor for help? Dr. Cowan’s stories provide a perfect solution especially as they offer parents a means of immediate comfort and reassurance for their children. Her characters always get well—and the children will, too!
Education
Princeton University, A.B. English, cum laude
Boston University School of Medicine, M.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital for Children Pediatric Residency and Chief Resident
Fellowship, Medical Ethics, University of Chicago
Appointments
Courtesy Staff, Mass General Hospital for Children
Past Clinical Instructor, Harvard Medical School
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Personal
Married with three children all of whom have had the illnesses about which Dr. Cowan writes. She knows first hand about being awakened in the middle of the night by a sick child and wondering what to do!
What about the Dr. Hippo Series?
Inspired by her pediatric practice, Dr. Cowan designed her books to entertain, educate and reassure both parent and child about the illnesses they confront together. The books are hard cover, full color picture books obviously intended for children; but each includes a separate Parent Guide, as well. Dr. Cowan hopes that her Parent Guides will enable parents to take excellent care of their sick children at home and also will provide them welcome advice about when to call the doctor for further support.
The Dr. Hippo Series has quickly become an award winning collection of five stories about those common childhood illnesses that each affect tens of millions of American families annually: ear infections, fever, colds, sore throats—and even gastroenteritis. The tricky subject of gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) is tackled with warmth and whimsy in Dr. Cowan’s recently released book, The Moose with Loose Poops. For more information, check out her books at www.drhippo.com.