Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog and the Discovery of Insulin

A graphic novel that tells the true story of the life-saving discovery of insulin. In 1921, Frederick Banting was a young doctor with an idea: could the mysterious secretions of the pancreas be used to treat diabetes? We now call this substance insulin, and its life-saving discovery was an impactful milestone in medical science. Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, worked together in a small lab to test the theory with street dogs. Banting formed a special bond with one of his test dogs and gave her a name: Marjorie. After Marjorie responded well to insulin treatments, the treatments went on to be used for humans with diabetes - and the results were deemed practically miraculous. A real-life scientific milestone told in an innovative graphic novel format, the book also thoughtfully discusses the use of animals for medical research, including back matter on the subject and further information about diabetes. AGES: 8 to 12 AUTHOR: Deborah Kerbel is an award-winning author who writes young adult and middle grade novels, as well as picture books and non-fiction. She lives and writes in Thornhill, Ontario, with her husband, two teens, and a rescue schnoodle named Freddie. Angela Poon is a freelance illustrator and comic artist and living in Mississauga, Ontario. She is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Illustration program. SELLING POINTS: . Based on historical events and told in engaging graphic novel format . Publishing in 2021 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin . Includes back matter on diabetes and the ethics of animal testing