After helping young readers understand the role of emergency workers through her award-winning book What Paramedics Do, Gomes is now encouraging children to see how they can play a part during an emergency.
Her latest release, What Little Heroes Do, was celebrated with a first public reading at Kenmore Library, where local families gathered alongside co-author Sarah Duncanson, a Critical Care Paediatric Nurse and educator. Children attending the event had the chance to explore first-aid practice kits and learn simple ways they can help when someone needs assistance.
Building on the Success of What Paramedics Do
The new book follows the path Gomes began with What Paramedics Do.
Released in 2023, the book was inspired by her work as a Critical Care Paramedic and aimed to help children better understand what happens when paramedics arrive during an emergency. Through a child-friendly story, Gomes introduced young readers to the world of emergency care in a way that was informative and reassuring. The book later gained public recognition, contributing to Gomes receiving a QBANK Everyday Heroes Achievement Award in 2024 for her efforts to educate and support children and families.
Now, rather than focusing on the people who respond to emergencies, Gomes is turning her attention to the children who may find themselves witnessing one.
What Little Heroes Do introduces age-appropriate concepts that help children recognise danger, remain calm and seek help when someone is hurt or unwell.
Two Healthcare Professionals with a Shared Goal
Gomes partnered with Sarah Duncanson, a Critical Care Paediatric Nurse, educator and co-founder of PAEDS Education, to create the book.
Together, the two healthcare professionals bring frontline clinical and education experience to the project. As mothers and educators, they recognised that children can learn important emergency skills when information is presented in a way that matches their age and understanding.
Designed for children aged three to 12 years, the book uses rhyming text and child-friendly illustrations to introduce emergency awareness. Each page is linked to learning points in the back of the book, giving parents, carers and teachers opportunities to continue discussions beyond story time.
The authors have stated that first-aid education should be taught in a way that builds confidence rather than anxiety. Their approach encourages children to understand that staying calm, finding a trusted adult and calling for help are valuable actions during an emergency.
Research Supports Early First-Aid Learning
The ideas explored in What Little Heroes Do are supported by a growing body of research into first-aid education for children.
A 2023 study published in the journal Children found that early childhood students can learn and apply essential first-aid skills, including contacting emergency services, understanding first-aid kit items and recognising signs that someone may need help.
Another systematic review published the same year found that first-aid training programs can significantly improve knowledge and practical skills among children aged six to ten, particularly when hands-on learning activities are included.
These findings align with the authors’ goal of introducing emergency awareness at an early age and helping children develop confidence in situations where someone may need assistance.
Extending First-Aid Knowledge Beyond the Classroom
The launch of What Little Heroes Do also continues Gomes’ commitment to community education.
One dollar from every book sold will be donated to The Sisterhood Project, helping provide free first-aid training for vulnerable parents and carers.
The initiative reflects a broader goal shared by both authors: making life-saving knowledge more accessible to families and communities.
Educational packages linked to the book include downloadable resources and opportunities for schools and learning centres to connect with the authors through online sessions. The educator resources are described as aligning with Early Years and National School Curriculum Frameworks and are designed to support learning in classrooms, early learning settings and homes.
While no child is expected to replace trained professionals, the book encourages young readers to understand that recognising danger, staying calm and seeking help are skills that can make a difference in an emergency.
It is a message that reflects a growing movement among health educators who believe that life-saving knowledge should not begin in adulthood, but during childhood.
Published 18-June-2026
