Pandemic sees sales in handwashing book by Norfolk children's author rocket

A children’s author from Banham, who penned a book about the importance of washing your hands, has seen a surge in sales in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Heather Maisner published Dinosaur Douglas and the Yucky Mucky Fingers as part of a series back in 2018, which sees the title character emphasize the importance of hand-washing.

Sales of the book have surged since the pandemic began, as parents attempt to drill home the importance of frequent and effective hand-washing with their children.

“As we go through the second lockdown, parents and teachers are keen to encourage children that it is more important than ever to remember to wash their hands,” said Ms Maisner.

“For small children, hand-washing is not exactly the easiest task; it has to be taught.

“Even though there wasn’t a pandemic going on at the time that I wrote it, I knew that teaching children good hand-washing habits could stop things like flu and diarrhoea.

“There was always a need for it – it’s just we never realised quite how important it was going to be in 2020.

“I guess Dino D is really coming into his own now.”

The book includes lines such as: “When Dino D doesn’t wash his hands, but simply does as he pleases, the yucky mucky bugs all clap their hands, and start to spread diseases.”

After writing more than 35 children’s books during her career, Ms Maisner decided to publish the Dino D series herself.

Illustrated by Alex Godwin, the series touches on other issues that have also been brought to the fore during lockdown; most notably Difficult Days for Dinosaur Douglas, which tackles children’s mental health.

To purchase a copy of Dinosaur Douglas and the Yucky Mucky Fingers, click here.