Why I Am Smarter Than the Average Doctor, Thanks to Children's Literature

Question:
What do the following children's books have in common?

• All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
• The Little House novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Moffats by Eleanor Estes
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Answer:

1. They were all written at least sixty years ago.
2. They all contain characters who came down with that dreaded Victorian malady: scarlet fever.
3. They were the reason why I, having read them all, correctly diagnosed Sam with scarlet fever last week. The doctors were skeptical, but in the end a throat swab doesn't lie.

Now, in all fairness to modern doctors, it's not like scarlet fever gets a lot of airplay these days. Most of us have moved on to trendier, contemporary ailments like ebola, hanta, and flus both avian and swine-ish. But not over here at Chez 50 Books. Staunch traditionalists and hardcore nerds, we're firmly dedicated to reviving the classics. Last year, it was impetigo. Next year, we're thinking maybe the vapours? Or perhaps a wandering uterus? It's still up for debate. It's not too late to cast your vote!

So yeah, I don't hold a grudge against the doctors... though I have every right to, because they may not think I noticed it, but I was VERY aware of the "Uh-Oh, Crazy Mom Alert" looks and barely veiled eyerolling, even over the phone.

The good news: We caught the illness early, gave it a serious penicillin smackdown, and by watching Will vigilantly, were able to catch it even earlier with him, before he got all rashed up.

The bad news: No velveteen rabbits got a chance to become real.