Hygiene Giant Dettol Supports Educational Children’s Book ‘Bye-Bye Germs: Be A Handwashing Superhero!’

The educational book, re-published especially for the Middle East market by Dubai-based Medina Publishing, is a beautifully watercolour painted fun story about how we can all avoid spreading germs by learning to wash our hands properly.

‘Bye-Bye Germs: Be a Handwashing Superhero!’ introduces Jess and her brother Joe who are playing with their toys when Jess feels a tickle in her throat. The tickle turns into a bigger tickle…and the bigger tickle turns into a giant cough and sneeze until Jess and Joe are both in bed poorly!

How can they stop the germs from spreading? Join them on their journey as they learn that becoming a handwashing superhero will keep the naughty germs at bay!

Written by researchers from the UK’s De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), the book is the brainchild of microbiologist Dr Katie Laird and education expert Professor Sarah Younie. ‘Bye Bye Germs’ is part of the ‘Germ’s Journey‘ series, a collection of learning resources designed to raise awareness of the importance of handwashing.

The academic duo has teamed up with author and illustrator Jules Marriner, to put together this entertaining, educational book to help keep everyone safe, which includes tips for parents on how to prevent spreading viruses at home; a clear pictorial guide on how to wash your hands properly, and a ‘Spot the Germs’ illustration to help children identify where viruses can be contracted.

Multinational health and hygiene firm Reckitt Benckiser Arabia FZE, and its household brand Dettol, has offered its support in publishing ‘Bye-Bye Germs: Be A Handwashing Superhero’ in the UAE.

Thanks to Dettol’s support, the book has now been adapted by publisher Medina Publishing to feature culturally relevant images and references for children in the Middle East.

Imran Yousuf, Marketing Director for Reckitt Benckiser, (RB) says: “Dettol Arabia is delighted to partner with ‘Bye-Bye Germs: Be a Handwashing Superhero!’ – a highly relevant, up-to-date resource, specifically developed to help educate young children in an informative and engaging way about how germs spread and the importance of why they need to wash their hands to prevent this.

“At RB, our purpose is to protect, heal, and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world, and via partnerships such as these, we live our mission to help protect people of all ages from harmful germs by highlighting the necessity of healthy habits especially in these times.”

‘Bye-Bye Germs: Be a Handwashing Superhero!,’ first published in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, amplifies the importance of hand hygiene to prevent the transmission of respiratory viruses, explaining to children why handwashing is so important. It also helps them identify how viruses can be contracted and the difference between bacterial infections and viruses.

Alongside the books, (the last launch was The Big Splash Circus) there is also a wealth of free educational resources available to download in 10 different languages on the Germ’s Journey website.

“To have the support of Dettol, one of the world’s leading hygiene brands, is a very proud moment for us and testament to the research and hard work that has gone into the project over the years,” says Dr Laird.

“This collaboration demonstrates how we have successfully developed ‘A Germ’s Journey’ into a reputable, trustworthy educational resource that truly helps young children understand the importance of hand hygiene.”

Professor Younie adds: “We are delighted to see Bye-Bye Germs published in another country, helping more children around the world learn how to properly wash their hands and reduce the risk of germs spreading.

“Having Dettol’s backing in the UAE is a fantastic achievement which will further reinforce the book’s credibility and the important message we are sharing around the world.”

Retailers and schools throughout the UAE have already placed orders with Medina, while the Dettol-supported edition is also available to buy directly, through the publisher’s Amazon.ae shop.

“We have received a great deal of interest in the Bye-Bye Germs UAE from retailers and schools throughout the Emirates,” says Shelly McDonald, Director of Medina Publishing LLC in the UAE.

“The support of Dettol Arabia gives us confidence that the message to wash your hands will be in the minds of UAE children, parents, carers and teachers for the foreseeable future.”

Bye-Bye Germs:  Be a Handwashing Superhero is available from all good UAE retailers, and from Amazon.ae here. Educators can request a discount on purchasing more than 10 copies of the book, by emailing requests to shelly@medinabooksllc.com