New colouring book sparks children’s curiosity about pharmacy
Oula Hafed wants to use creativity and educational storytelling to help more children discover the profession of pharmacy.
Just a minute… Oula Hafed, pharmacy student and author, whose debut title Små Apotekare (Little Pharmacists) is currently climbing the charts of Sweden’s bestselling children’s books and inspiring both big and small questions about medicines.
Oula Hafed, pharmacy student and author.
How did the idea for a colouring book themed around Little Pharmacists come about?
Ever since I was young, I knew that I wanted to study to become a pharmacist and work in research. Today, through creativity and educational storytelling, I want to help more children discover this fantastic profession. A colouring book offers tremendous opportunities, and throughout the process I followed a clear vision in which curiosity and inspiration served as guiding principles.
How is the book being received?
In the best possible way. Several people I know who have bought the book confirm that their children find it really exciting. The most rewarding part is that once the children have finished colouring the illustrations, they continue reading the texts over and over again. The last time I met my nephew and niece, aged four and seven, they suddenly wanted to know everything about working in a pharmacy and conducting research in laboratories.
What do you think of the final result?
It was a long process getting every single detail right, and today I can simply say that it turned out exactly as I had hoped. I am also receiving positive feedback from my colleagues at the pharmacy where I work part-time as a self-care adviser, which for me is a very important mark of quality.
The book is designed to spark children’s curiosity.
What do you hope children will gain from the book?
First and foremost, a moment of fun and screen-free creative activity. From a broader perspective, I hope to spark their curiosity about drugs, pharmacies and science, and hopefully encourage them to learn more. An added bonus would be if children are inspired to help others, both today and in their future professional careers.
At the moment, Little Pharmacists is on Amazon’s Top 50 list in the Children’s Colouring Books category. Are you surprised by the book’s strong reception?
Yes and no. I knew there was no other book quite like it and hoped that it would find its audience. At the same time, I am of course pleasantly surprised that so many parents are buying it for their children. And perhaps a few are ordering a copy for themselves as well, since the book is also ranked number three in the category “Geometric Pattern Colouring Books for Adults”.
What book projects await in the future?
As a pharmacy student at Uppsala universitet, my main focus right now is pharmacy, but further ahead it could be interesting to collaborate with teachers, doctors and others on themed books about their professions.
Magnus Alsne
Win a copy of Little Pharmacists
The Faculty of Pharmacy is giving away three copies of Little Pharmacists by Oula Hafed. To enter the competition, simply send an email to Magnus.Alsne@ilk.uu.se no later than 14 June 2026.
Little Pharmacists
- Little Pharmacists is a colouring book that takes children on an exciting journey through pharmacies, laboratories and the world of drugs.
- Each page contains large, clear illustrations that are perfect for small hands to colour.
- Every illustration is accompanied by a simple and informative sentence (in Swedish) explaining what the picture shows and how drugs are developed and used.