Our Story & Vision
Created by community health specialist Doctor Eric Griggs, the characters and stories in the World of Jamiale and Poppy reflect “Doc” Griggs’ own childhood, personal stories of overcoming obstacles as a Black man in the world of medicine, and the importance of community in helping children believe in themselves and achieve endless possibilities. It may seem like a leap going from Medicine to Media, but as a community health specialist, caring and advocating for families by teaching them to take charge of their health is at the heart of his mission. The sweet and silly world is influenced by Doc Griggs’ love of classic cartoons and storybooks, especially Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang, and his background as a trained violinist and singer can be felt in the catchy rhymes and musicality of the verse.
Meet Doc Griggs
Dr. Eric Griggs, M.D., affectionately known as “Doc Griggs,” shares his extraordinary journey to becoming a community medicine doctor through his captivating children’s books. From a young age, Dr. Griggs dreamt of making a difference in people’s lives, particularly in underserved communities.With unwavering determination and support from his “village” of family, friends and educators, he overcame countless obstacles and embraced his passion for medicine. His personal experiences, combined with his expertise in community health, inspire young readers to dream big and pursue their own aspirations.Through colorful illustrations and relatable storytelling, Dr. Griggs instills the importance of compassion, perseverance, and the power of education in transforming lives. His books are a beacon of hope, guiding children towards a healthier, brighter future and achievement of their dreams.
Meet the Team
After several years working on a series of animated health videos and songs with FableVision, one day Doc Griggs asked if he could “run a crazy idea he can’t stop thinking about” by the FableVision team. That idea was three completed Jamiale and Poppy story drafts that he just felt HAD to be out in the world, and as soon as he read the first story, I Said I’m Gonna Be a Doctor aloud to the crew, they immediately saw his vision and couldn’t wait to get started bringing it to life. It was an important task to create diverse characters who would be relatable and aspirational to kids, as well as to honor Doc Griggs’ family members in the design and storytelling.
At the same time that his stories mentioned moments of doubt and frustration, FableVision had “Doctor’s orders” to make sure that the animated videos especially were packed with playfulness, mischief, silliness, and laugh-out-loud moments. To read more about the FableVision team behind the World of Jamiale and Poppy, click the button below. And because Doc Griggs doesn’t do anything halfway, book scripts quickly became videos, stuffed animals, toy medical kits, giant walk-around characters, events …don’t be surprised when you see the Jamiale and Poppy amusement park in the not-so-distant future!
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