A magpie police officer, who swoops down to check people are wearing helmets while riding e-scooters is one of many colourful book characters a Cairns doctor has created to keep kids out of hospital.
Cairns Hospital intern Dr Sean Colrain has illustrated and written a series of self-published children’s books, featuring Australian native animals providing and following health advice.
The ‘Doc Croc & the Three Cockies’ series follows the adventures of a playful koala, a medically qualified crocodile, and three cockatoos as they dispense wisdom about wearing a helmet, sun safety, and even first aid.
Sean, who has been working in emergency and orthopaedics wards, said he had treated far too many young patients for head injuries following crashes and falls from bicycles, e-scooters and skateboards.
‘It’s very frustrating seeing all these kids on e-scooters coming in for hospital treatment, for many injuries that can be prevented if they wore safety equipment such as helmets,’ he said.
‘So, these are books not only for kids, but for the adults as well.
‘I found I learnt a lot as a kid through stories and picture books, and I still do now for learning about certain illnesses.
‘I thought a children’s book series would be a good way to promote health in our community.’
Sean said he had been illustrating from an early age, and it had grown into a hobby – particularly helping him unwind after a stressful day.
‘Most of the characters are based on people I know, or grew up with in Tasmania,’ he said.
‘The three cockies are my Nan and her sisters, particularly the way they used to speak to each other.
‘There’s also a very Far North Queensland inspired character: Doc Croc, who has a medical degree and is happy providing health advice to the koala Jamesy and his friends, as they go about their daily activities.’
Sean said his hospital colleagues have provided advice about themes for future books in his series.
‘There’s a few suggestions, such as oral health, water safety, and even vaccinations,’ he said.