Dr. Esther Feldblum

Esther wanted to write this book to find a fun and not scary way of explaining to her kiddo about all the boring virus and vaccine stuff that adults talk about in a kid-friendly and adventure-filled way that will outlast the current pandemic.

​

Vaccines are very important, not only to protect us and those around us from getting sick, but they can be used to completely eradicate some viruses from this world, just like with smallpox. Vaccines may be important, but they can also be scary. Esther has an absolute fear of needles; when she was little, she had to be held down by three nurses to get her vaccinations. Her son is similar. But he also imagines himself a superhero, running back and forth and repeating mumbo jumbo that he hears on tv, which is probably the equivalent of abracadabra. And then he twists around in circles and juts his hands about in what he thinks are karate-like motions and finally, he expertly puts a puzzle piece in its correct spot like only a superhero could accomplish. And Esther wanted kids like him to be able to face their fear of needles to get vaccinated by imagining themselves as superheroes in the fight against viruses. 

Esther is a scientist at Harvard University. She studies population genetics in order to understand human history. Previously, she earned her PhD in polar interactions in viral proteins, where she worked on the SARS coronavirus and the influenza virus.

​

Contact Esther to discuss any ideas or collaborations or just to say hi!