Kendra K. Ham marks National Book Lovers Day with pediatric book series

Pediatrician and children’s author Kendra K. Ham is using National Book Lovers Day to spotlight a book series designed to help children understand health topics through stories. The Medical Adventures with Dr. Andrea titles and companion activity book are available on Amazon.

Why it matters: - The Medical Adventures with Dr. Andrea series aims to make medical topics easier for children to understand and discuss. - The books give families, educators, and health professionals a child-friendly way to talk about symptoms, diagnoses, and care. - The series can help children build language for asking questions about their health.

What happened: - Kendra K. Ham, MD, a double board-certified pediatrician, educator, and children’s author, marked National Book Lovers Day on August 9 by highlighting children’s books as a tool for health education. - Ham wrote the Medical Adventures with Dr. Andrea series, including A Violin in the Shed and Bell’s Policy. - The books are available through Amazon.

The details: - A Violin in the Shed follows Michelle after a mystery insect bite leads to a visit with pediatrician Dr. Andrea and a diagnosis that surprises readers. - A companion coloring and activity book extends the story into an interactive format for families, educators, and healthcare professionals. - Bell’s Policy follows Kristopher, who struggles to imitate his favorite trumpet player before learning he has a nervous system condition. - The story shows Kristopher better understanding his diagnosis while holding onto his goal of playing the trumpet again. - Ham is double board-certified in General Pediatrics and Child Abuse Pediatrics. - Ham serves on a Children’s Child Protection Team that includes four child advocacy centers and an inpatient consultation team. - Ham is an associate professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where she teaches medical students, residents and other learners. - Ham graduated from the College of Charleston with dual degrees in Biology and Spanish. - Ham later earned her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Between the lines: - The series blends clinical experience, child advocacy and storytelling into a format meant to lower the barrier to health conversations. - The books reflect a broader push in pediatric education to meet children where they are: through narrative, play and repetition.

What's next: - Ham is positioning the series as an ongoing resource for children and adults navigating health-related questions. - Readers can find A Violin in the Shed, Bell’s Policy and the companion coloring and activity book on Amazon. - More information is available on Dr. Kendra Ham's Instagram.