You may remember my previous reviews of the other books from the What Do The Grown-ups Do? series - we've already discovered Sean The Actor, Papa the Stockfarmer and Joe the Fisherman. The next two occupations to come under scrutiny are very different but equally interesting - Richard the Vet and Fiona the Doctor.
We started with Richard the Vet and, once again, I discovered that the book is just as interesting to adults as it is to children. Even I learned a few things and, I admit, shared a few eww-moments and giggles with the kids too !
The book takes a look at some of the aspects that you've probably never really thought about when it comes to being a farmer and looking after the animals.
I love the way that the series doesn't gloss over the less pleasant aspects of the job or dumb things down for its young audience. Shoving your arm up an animal's bum is never going to feature on the list of the most glamorous sides of the job, but it's there in all its technicolour glory, much to the Madhouse Mini-testers' horrified delight !
The appearance of the Mackenzie girls help young readers to relate to the book, despite its at times slightly grown-up tone of voice and material.
Fiona the Doctor offers another in-depth look at a different career.
By presenting some of the different machines and equipment used, it may help to dedramatise an upcoming doctor's or hospital visit.
It also shows the scientific side of medicine, such as eye charts and the skeletal system. Seeing the blood pressure monitor in use was fascinating to the Madhouse Mini-testers because they've apparently heard people talking about checking their blood pressure without ever knowing what this involved. I can't even begin to imagine what weird and wonderful concepts they may have come up with to replace the rather simple reality !
Once again, the Mackenzie girls make it all seem more real and child-oriented, helping young readers to assimilate quite complex information.
The next book to be produced will feature Gordon the Wildlife Film-maker which promises to be another fascinating glimpse into a largely unknown profession.
star rating : 4.5/5
RRP : £7.99
- Paperback: 32 pages
- Publisher: Matador (28 Aug 2014)
- Language: English
Disclosure : I received the books in order to write an honest review.
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I had not heard of this series, looks really good. I like the fact it doesn't gloss over the more unpleasant side of work!
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