The Adventures of Medical Man: Kids' Illnesses and Injuries Explained

by Michael Evans, David Wichman, Gareth Williams (Illustrator)

Enter Dr. Michael Evans, who will explain to young readers everything they need to know when an illness or injury occurs. Uniquely structured around five different movie genres and one comic book, each chapter features a common illness or injury with Dr. Mike in the starring role, explaining the causes, symptoms and cures. Whether it’s a nut allergy in the action-packed “They Came From Mars!,” a broken wrist in the bone-chilling “The Werewolf Who Snapped” or strep throat in the suspense-filled “Adventures of Medical Man and Wondrous Boy,” each story is packed with fascinating medical information. Other common conditions covered in the book include concussion, ear infection and asthma—all vividly explained. Complete with diagrams, sidebars and a glossary—and dramatized by Gareth Williams’s stunning illustrations—this book will be a comfort to any child dealing with an injury or illness.

Genres: Nonfiction

72 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book taught me a lot about the main illnesses that are the most common in children: allergic reactions, concussions, broken bones, strep throat, ear infections and asthma. I really liked this book because it was not about all the facts, there were plenty of diagrams and pictures that went along great with the text. Even though this book is informational, the author used fictional stories to explain to us these illnesses. This book kept me interested because of these things.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

The cover of this book will remind those of you who were around in the ’60s of that classic science fiction film, Fantastic Voyage. Our intrepid author, Dr. Michael Evans, is charging through a blood vessel, dodging red blood cells, on his way to fight some evil disease or injury. The story finds Dr. Evans taking on a superhero persona in five mini-movies (and one comic book) that explain what happens to the body when it is attacked by common childhood invaders – concussion, broken bones, strep throat, ear infection, asthma and nut allergy.

The tale of each invader is told in classic movie style by Evans and co-author David Wichman. The Case of the Dizzy Dame describes a concussion, The Werewolf Who Snapped deals with broken bones, The Hurt From Red Eardrum uses The Hunt for Red October’s submarine theme to talk about earache and Asthmatic Mike and the Temple of Wheeze is a cute take on Indiana Jones. Each illness is described through a fast-paced story; Dr. Mike and his young friends, Billy and Sally, battle foreign invaders while learning about the various body systems and how things can go wrong. Between each main chapter, our heroes confront Billy’s nut allergy as his symptoms worsen.

There is a lot of good information here in a format that will appeal to young fans of adventure movies and comic books, probably more to boys than to girls. The illustrations are very much in the comic book style, a bit garish and creating a slightly 3D effect, but effective at explaining the workings of the body. There is quite an extensive glossary and a good index. Overall, the book’s original approach adds excitement to the study of the human body and should appeal to both reluctant and curious readers.

Reviewed by Mary Anne Cree in Canadian Children's Book News (Summer 2011, Vol. 34, No. 1)

[Anastasia202 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I love learning about health and the human body (health is one of my fave subjects), but this book wasn't appealing to me. First of all, the cartoons and comics weren't interesting, and most importantly...the information given was not true or precise. Thank god I don't have any health problems, like allergies or asthma.
"If you're a kid with allergies, you have an extra-powerful immune system." That is close to the truth, but the wording of the sentence is not proper. People have allergies because they have an very protective immune system, and it is hypersensitive. This body system detects a substance as being very harmful to the body, and attacks the substance way more 'ferociously' than needed. It's not like someone with allergies have a healthy and strong immune system.
All of the comics were really unnecessary in the novel, and I think there should be an alternative on how to make the reader more engaged and interested.

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a very educational, quick read. I think this book is great for people who want to learn while they read and it is amazing for people who like comic books. The people I wouldn't recomend this book to are people that only like novels. This is NOT a novel. If you are looking to read a book within less than a week or so, this book is definitely for you!!

[Yonina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be very informational.It answer many of my questions and did it and a unqiue way.I think that thought the author could have gone deeper an made some of the more obvious queston a little more clear, like how many antibodies are in you?This book wasn't a dud but it isn't something i want to read over again.But as a factualy resoure it ws very help.Overall was alright.

[Celina · Rating 2 out of 5]

so what I found is that it does state the facts but I found the comic side to it didn't fit and made it seem more childish and take away attention for the facts. The one part I found cool was when they were talking about the breaking bones and showed the images with sticks. The information was there but it seemed like it wasn't. That's why I rate this book two stars.

[Mikayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was very interesting because the author tells you about the injury or illness i a story. Although it was interesting i found it to be a bit childish and a quick read. If you were looking for more of a book that tells you information about the injuries or illnesses i wouldn't recommend this book. Its more about stories about people who had these problems.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a quick read that is educational for you and a comic book this book is for you if you like novals dont read this beacuse it is a comic book. I found it intoresting in some parts and not so intoresting in others but overall great book.

[Jacob Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like a teacher and a doctor smushed together. It wasn't my favourite book but it taught me stuff I didn't even know before

[OhWell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A confusing and convoluted way of delivering information...