THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV / AIDS
BOOK ONE - by David Briggs and Shane Ebley
PUBLISHER - SkyTribe
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
The purpose of creating this publication is not in any way meant to detract from the scientific explanation of HIV/AIDS or the pandemic, but rather to produce a simplified enlightenment into this ingenious, yet lethal, viral disease.
This A4 full colour cartoon book is designed to be a picture orientated guide. There are two stories in this book - the first one is quite sensitive in that it follows the path of our fictitious, over confident 'hero' who contracts HIV/AIDS through his unwise choices and the second one is of our fictitious, fast acting ‘true hero’ who fortunately, just happened to be in the right place at the right time. These stories are meant to be both direct and thought provoking as HIV/AIDS is a disease that cannot be ignored.
WHY WE CHOSE A ‘SOLDIER’ AS ONE OF OUR CHARACTERS
A white blood cell is also called a ‘soldier cell’ and when reading a story, a reader will try conjuring an image in their imagination of what a character might look like.
Not only did we have lengthy and incredibly in-depth discussions with numerous artists etc, we also conducted a survey with countless people on how best to depict a ‘soldier cell’. We came up with one different style of character after another. We then passed all the drawings around for approval - amongst those - the politically correct.
We also randomly showed them to people in street. “Make him look like a soldier” - is what we were told. And so the final unanimous decision voted in favour of the character we have used in our cartoon book as chosen by the majority. In essence we used the most popular choice. He’s wearing a uniform because this is how soldiers dress - but we have made it a neutral colour. On the cover of the book you will see the HIV strangling the soldier.
This cartoon is not depicting a violent act - it is instead showing the HIV destroying the white blood cells ‘soldier cells’ in the body.
We have endeavoured to make the story and characters in this book as colourful as possible while still getting the very important message across. All the characters we have used in our cartoons are fictitious.
WHO WOULD USE THIS BOOK?
Everyone everywhere! This book also is an ideal give away for World Aids Day. It’s the perfect learning tool and there are no limits to whom and where this book belongs. It’s perfect for persons already living with HIV/AIDS, churches, clinics, rural hospitals, industry and so on. In fact, it’s a great idea to have a book lying on coffee tables in waiting rooms or even at home. Virtually everyone passing it will pick it up go through it.
The more information that is available and the easier it is to read and understand, the better informed society will be about this disease We chose to put the literature together in a ‘comic’ book style because this has proven to be incredibly effective - one is drawn to keep returning to read and re-read the information. And this is what makes our book unique and very different from others.
HOW IS IT USED?
The left hand pages are the ‘learning’ pages. You will find basic facts and questions as well as a summary of the cartoons and story told on the right hand page. All answers to the questions are supplied towards the end of the book. It’s ideal for group discussions amongst your family and friends. Get everyone involved - read through all the sections, scribble the words: WHY? HOW? WHEN? And quiz one another.
If you should come across an explanation that’s inadequate - email us with your questions and we’ll find the answer. Who knows you may have a question that’s never been posed before!
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