The Relentless School Nurse: Holly Bloomwell is Planting Seeds of Acceptance Through Storytelling

I am dedicated to highlighting the exceptional work of school nurses across the country and showcasing their creative contributions to our profession. Today’s blog post features school nurse Holly David, who writes under the pen name Holly Bloomwell, and her newly published children’s book, Lefty Lou’s Different View: Finding Joy in Doing Things Your Own Way

This beautifully crafted picture book follows Lou, a left-handed child navigating everyday challenges in a world built for right-handers. Through rhymes and whimsical illustrations, Holly Bloomwell brings Lou’s experiences to life—from tying shoes and using scissors to facing the curious whispers of classmates. These moments capture the subtle but significant ways in which children may feel out of place, and how resilience and acceptance can blossom with the support of a loving adult.

When Lou’s grandmother presents her with tools designed just for lefties, Lou’s confidence and creativity soar, inspiring classmates to join in her joyful play. The book’s message extends beyond left-handedness; it’s a universal celebration of self-acceptance, difference, and belonging. Lefty Lou’s Different View is a gift to every child who’s ever dared to color outside the lines, reminding us all that our differences truly make the world more vibrant and welcoming.

Holly Bloomwell’s debut is destined to touch the hearts of children, families, and educators alike—encouraging us to create schools and communities where every story is valued and every child finds their place.

Thank you, Holly, for sharing your talents, vision, and dedication to caring for children through this beautifully crafted story. Learn more about Holly’s intention for publishing this children’s book in her own words… 

I am Holly Giovi—also known as Holly David of the School Nursing Facebook group—and I write under the pen name Holly Bloomwell.  As an author and child advocate, I wrote Lefty Lou’s Different View: Finding Joy in Doing Things Your Own Way with a single goal in mind: to help young children understand the value of inclusion, especially when the world feels unkind to those who are different.

Rather than start with a direct issue, I searched for a metaphor that could introduce complex, often emotionally charged topics to children in a safe, developmentally appropriate way. I chose left-handedness, something small and relatable, as a lens to explore what it means to live in a world not built with you in mind.

The message became even more personal after I witnessed close family members exclude others because of their differences. I realized that children are watching, absorbing, and being shaped by these moments, and that change must begin early, with empathy.

We’re in a delicate time where difference can feel divisive, even taboo. But difference is also what makes us beautiful. Lefty Lou uses something simple—being left-handed—to teach something profound: you’re not broken just because you don’t fit the mold.

Through gentle rhymes and dreamy watercolor scenes, Lefty Lou’s Different View speaks to every child who has felt out of place, and it invites readers to celebrate the parts of themselves that stand out.