MOMMY, WHY DO I HAVE A COLD?

MEPPUBLISHING PRESENTS
Mommy,
Why do IHavea Cold?
BY AVALON SOULETTE
BROWN




DEDICATIONS
This book is dedicated to all of my grandchildren: Alexis, Naeem, Armani, Ja’quay, Mercedez, Brooklyn, Soulette, and Desmond. You all are always coming to hug and kiss Nanna, especially when you have runny noses, sneeze, or cough. Nanna loves you. Let’s work together to keep the germ population down. Also, I would like to thank Cheryl Filipak, an author and teacher in the Newark, New Jersey public education system, for inspiring me to write this book.
3


One morning, ten-year-old, Soulette woke up and called her mommy into her room. She told her mom she didn’t feel well. Soulette was coughing and sneezing and felt very warm. Her mommy took her temperature and realized that Soulette had a temperature. Her mommy said, “I think you are coming down with a cold, baby, and I don’t think you will be able to attend school today.”
4






Soulette became very sad. She loved going to school and couldn’t understand why she would have to stay at home. Soulette asked, “Mommy where do colds come from? Why do I have one? Her mother looked at her and said, “Well, your nanna is a nurse, let’s ask her. She can tell you.” Soulette replied, “Mommy, please tell Nanna I need her.”
7


Her mommy went to her nanna’s room
and said, “I think Soulette is coming
down with a cold, and she wants to know
where it came from and how she got it. I
told her you are a nurse and can
probably could tell her.” Soulette’s
nanna just laughed and said, “Do I have
to answer all of the questions this
morning?” Soulette’s mother answered,
“Well, you are the nurse.” Nanna
decided to get up and go into Soulette’s
room.
8






“Good morning, baby,” said Nanna. “How are you feeling?” Soulette answered, “Nanna, I don’t feel well, and Mommy said I’m coming down with a cold. How did I get it?” Nanna began, “Well, baby there are a number of ways to catch a cold. Let’s talk about some ways. Then maybe your question will be answered.”
11


“Let’s start with washing your hands.” Nana asked Soulette, “When you were at school, did you wash your hands during the time you were there? Are other children washing their hands? Do you know it is very important to wash your hands? Washing your hands can help keep germs from spreading. Every time you touch different objects, you are picking up germs. Do you know how long you should wash your hands?” Nanna continued.
12






Soulette said, “No, Nanna.” Nanna replied, “Soulette, there is a song called, Three Blind Mice. Do you know that song? “No,” said Soulette. Nanna continued, “I know the words. I will teach it to you.” Soulette’s nanna began to sing the song to her. “Three blind mice, three blind mice, see how they run. See how they run...”
15


Soulette laughed and said, “Nana, I never heard that song before. Did you make that up?” “No,” said Nanna. “If you sing that song, it will last a minute. Then you will know you washed a lot of germs off your hands.” “Nanna, that song is funny. What else made me catch a cold?” said Soulette.
16






“Well, let’s see. It has been chilly outside. Did you put on a jacket and zip it up? How about your head? Did you put on a hat?” Soulette replied, “Nanna I had a jacket on, but it wasn’t zipped up, and I didn’t put on a hat. Is that how I caught this cold?” Nanna told Soulette, “When it is chilly outside, you must dress properly for the weather. If you don’t, then there is a chance of catching a cold because you didn’t button your coat or put a hat on your head.” “But, Nanna. I don’t always want to wear a hat,” said Soulette.
19


“Soulette, were you around other children at school, those who might have been sneezing and didn’t cover their mouths? When people don’t cover their mouths, little germs can float into the air and other people can breathe them in if they are near those people.”
20






“You should always cover your mouth when you sneeze. Or you can bend your arm and sneeze or cough into it.” “It will help keep the germs from floating in the air.” Nanna explained. Soulette replied, “Nanna I always use my arm when I cough. Mommy taught me that.” “That’s good,” said Nanna. “Now, let’s see if there is anything else I can think of.
23


When you are at school and you and your classmates are having lunch, do you ever drink out of the same cup of one of your friends who might be sniffling? Or eat off the same plate or bowl?” “No, not at school Nanna, but sometimes me and Desmond share a cup of juice together. That one time we shared, he was coughing, not sneezing,” said Soulette. “Sometimes coughing may be the beginning of a cold,” said Nanna. “Remember what I told you. It is important to cover your mouth.”
24






Nanna thought more and then added, “Soulette, I can think of one more thing. I don’t want to have you worrying about this too much,” she chuckled. “Sometimes when a lot of children are playing together, and one person has sniffles or a cold, then it can spread to all the rest of the children.” “Nanna” said Soulette. “I was playing with all my cousins this weekend, and Mercedez was sneezing, maybe I got it from her. Did I, Nanna?” Nanna chuckled and said, “It’s possible, but we don’t want to blame Mercedez if she was just sneezing and didn’t have a cold.”
27


As Nanna rubbed Soulette’s head to comfort her, Soulette continued, “Nanna, if there are so many ways to catch a cold, then how do I know which one gave me a cold?” “Well, Soulette,” said Nanna. “I don’t know which one of the siutations gave you the cold. I can only tell you about some of the things that might have caused you to get the cold.” “But Nanna,” said Soulette. “Why didn’t you tell me this before I got the cold? Now I have it.” “Yes, I know Soulette,” said Nanna. And now that you have it, Nanna will give you all her love and tender care to help you get better.”
28






Soulette responded, “Nanna, the next time I’m going to do all those things you told me. I will always wash my hands, and I’m going to sing that song while I’m washing them. When I go outside and it’s chilly, I’m going to button my coat and put a hat on my head. When someone coughs or sneeze, I’m going to tell them to cover their mouth. At lunch, I’m not going to drink behind anybody else or eat off the same plate. I will use my own cup, but I do need to play with my cousins, even if they are sneezing and coughing. I’m going to do my best not to catch an old stinky cold.
31


Thank you, Nanna, I love you.” “I love you, too.” Nanna stated with a smile as she tucked Soulette into bed and told her to get some rest. She promised her, “When you wake up, I will have some chicken noodle soup waiting just for you.
32




Mommy, Why do I Have a Cold?
SOULETTE IS NOT FEELING WELL TODAY. MOMMY THINKS SHE IS COMING WITH A COLD. MOMMY GETS HER NANNA TO EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT EVENTS THAT MAY CAUSE A PERSON TO COME DOWN WITH A COLD.
Avalon Brown has been a nurse for 38 years. She has worked in many fields of nursing. She current- ly works in the field of Infection Prevention. She grew up in Newark, NJ. Avalon Brown is a faithful servant of God.She believes you need to serve him with all your heart mind and soul.
http://www.authoravalonsbrown.com
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