Have you ever wondered what happens if someone in your life needs an organ transplant? We’ve all watched those movies and shows where someone is in desperate need of a transplant, or they’ll die. Think the film “John Q.” starring Denzel Washington (hell of a movie!) Or any of the several medical dramas out there on tv – I’m pretty partial to Grey’s Anatomy – and you realize that organ transplants are super common, unfortunately.
Quite recently, my family was under the impression that my dad might need a transplant for a kidney! Fortunately, the tests came back indicating that wasn’t necessary – but it could be an issue down the road. Waiting for the results of that test to come back was terrifying! One of my best friends has significant problems with his kidneys and has to undergo dialysis three times a week. The stories and medical information I’ve learned from all of my discussions with him are nothing short of incredible.
The pain and suffering these people have to go through to make it from one day to another is horrendous. They are living life, but they’re living it almost while looking through a window. They can see what everyone else is doing, but depending on their issue, they can’t do a lot of things based on their medical situations. Certain foods or liquids may be off-limits completely. Travel can be out of the question. Playing sports as a child would be unheard of. Hopefully, you get the picture.
The book that ties this all together:
Jonathan Hoefer highlights some of the struggles a young child goes through based on her need for a new heart in his book, “Avery’s Gift.” Avery was born with a terrible heart defect (HLHS). It required her to have multiple open-heart surgeries. She even had a mechanical heart pump by the age of 5 as her condition was terminal. Without a heart, Avery wouldn’t live for long.
As Avery’s condition kept deteriorating, across the country a young boy, Dalton was living his best life. He was a fun, energetic, amazing little boy with a zest for life. He had it all and was loved by everyone he met. In 2009, Dalton died suddenly and tragically due to an accident. His parents chose to donate young Dalton’s organs.
Avery was one of four individuals who received a donation from him; his heart. In Mr. Hoefer’s book, he showcases Avery and how she’s “lost her colors,” representing her medical condition. She’s alive but barely living. She awakes in a dream world, searching for her colors, and she meets Dalton.
He’s vibrant and happy! They spend as much time together as they can, creating memories all the while. Eventually, it’s time for Dalton to leave, but not before gifting Avery a necklace he wants her to have. At first, Avery begs him to keep his necklace, but he insists.
You will know while reading that Dalton’s gifting Avery with his necklace is symbolic of him giving her his heart. But children may not fully grasp what is going on. Aside from her receiving a gift and Dalton going on his way. This book opens up an authentic world to children where kids can benefit in a life-saving way, literally! As a kid, if you aren’t going through something yourself, it’s hard to imagine a world where anyone else is. If they aren’t sick, neither are their friends. If they don’t go to the doctor, neither do their friends, so on and so forth.
This book, Avery’s Gift, can affect everyone:
My boys are absolute angels (in my opinion, of course, LOL). If they did have a terminally ill friend, it would take a LOT to get them to understand what that means and what could happen. As it is, our youngest Tristan constantly has to go to the doctor for one reason or another; croup and RSV are constants in our home. So we use breathing treatments all the time to help him overcome his troubles.
But we’re so fortunate that he’s not living in a hospital, or worse! He’s only three, but he knows when we say it’s time for his breathing treatment that he has to stop what he’s doing and sit still for 10-15 minutes to do the treatment. We always ask him if he feels better afterward, so he knows WHY we’re doing what we’re doing. His brother will usually sit still while Tristan goes through this to be supportive, as he’s fortunate not to have to go through anything like that.
“Avery’s Gift” is a treasure, and it would benefit every parent out there to purchase the book and read it to their children, to show them another side of the world they may not be aware of.
You can purchase this book on Amazon and other major booksellers, including Mascot Books! If you purchase through either of those sites,
The Q&A :
– What an absolute treasure! Such a small book that gives such wonderful moments! How did you come across the stories of Dalton and Avery? What made you decide to transform it into a children’s book?
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed reading the story of Avery’s Gift! Avery’s father, Mike Toole, is a friend of mine from college, so I was aware of Avery and her condition soon after she was born. My sons used to pray for Avery when they were little in the hopes that she would get better soon. Years after Avery received her life-saving heart transplant, I was watching a video produced by Boston Children’s hospital and learned more details about Avery’s procedure and her heart donor, Dalton Lawyer. In the video, Mike commented that after Avery’s transplant, she “had bright pink lips, for the first time ever!” That one line, and knowing this connection that Avery and Dalton share, I was inspired to write a children’s book about the “beauty behind the tragedy.”
– Organ donation is such a powerful thing – but it can be extremely difficult to talk to our kids about – this book opens the doors for parents to have this serious discussion with their kids – and in such a great way. Was that the intention of writing this book? To open that door?
I did receive some inquisitive looks early on when I told people that I was working on a children’s book and the centralized theme was going to be organ donation. I am very proud that the book, very intentionally, was written and illustrated so that it can be read on two completely different levels. Younger readers will enjoy the themes of mystery, discovery, and the power of friendship without needing to know the “story behind the story.” But, for those families that feel comfortable using Avery’s Gift as a vehicle, it can demonstrate the importance of organ donation and how it truly is the ultimate act of kindness. So, yes, the intention was to open the door — knowing the reader has the option to discuss that side of the story or not.
– I’m sure, unfortunately, that there are millions of stories like this somewhere out there. Will you be creating any additional stories to honor other children? Perhaps with a different vision in mind of the how/why?
Even though Avery’s Gift is based on true events, I would like to think that the characters of Avery and Dalton represent many people, kids, and adults, that have gone through similar situations or currently are awaiting treatment. I would love to introduce Avery’s Gift to several community groups, each with a unique perspective with the ability to take away something different when reading the story. And, yes, I do have a few other book ideas in the works that focus on other life challenges, but I most likely will not get to those until later this year.
– I felt, as an adult, that the reason Avery lost her colors was due to whatever her disease was – and then with Dalton’s parting Gift, that’s how she gained her colors back. Was I close?
Recently, when I heard stories of people that have received a successful organ transplantation (i.e., kidney, heart, lungs, etc.), the one thing that stands out to me is these patients talk about feeling more alive, more vibrant…that they have regained their color! So, you are correct; Avery’s lack of color was symbolic of her failing heart. Also, what we learned from Avery’s parents, she never had true color (or full energy) until after her procedure. Dalton’s father likes to point out that by Avery’s accepting Dalton’s heart, not only did he SAVE her life … he GAVE her life!
– How long did it take you to come up with such a meaningful way of bringing this story to life?
Avery’s Gift has been a labor of love for many years. I worked closely with the Toole and Lawyer families from the preliminary concepts back in 2018 since I wanted to be sensitive to their story and how it was told. However, they were all in agreement that this story, if presented correctly, could be beneficial for communicating the positive aspects of organ donation.
I had the story sketched out and knew the general flow, but my overall vision was to have the book be reminiscent of tales told long ago, even though it was inspired by a modern story. Knowing the style of artwork I was looking for, and I was very pleased to find Milana Samaskaya, who has a beautiful, dreamy watercolor technique that I fell in love with. In early 2020, we worked closely together, perfecting the rhythm of the story and how it would pair up with her imagery. We completed the book in late 2020, with books in hands by March 2021.
– What do you like to do outside of writing, and what’s up next for you?
I am lucky enough to live in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, where there is always something going on! I love to travel, take photographs, and be introduced to new people and their customs. I enjoy the arts, running, boating, and spending time with my family. Avery’s Gift is the fifth book that I have worked on, and I am looking forward to the next project! But for now, I will enjoy sharing this special story with audiences all over the country, and I can’t wait to hear their thoughts and, perhaps, hear how it has made a difference in their lives. That, to me, would be the greatest Gift.
Final thoughts:
This is the first children’s book I’ve reviewed that has to do with organ donation. I’ve been fortunate to receive several other books that can help teach children great life lessons! “Stress Stinks” is always a good one to help kids learn how to deal with stress in better ways. There’s also “The Kingdom of Glee,” which allows kids to see how harmful negativity and jealousy can impact their life. Any book that helps my kids learn how to read, along with teaching them, is a winner to me!
Do you have anything that you’ve experienced in your life that would be a good lesson to pass onto your children? Perhaps your idea could be turned into a children’s book! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading!
Love ya,
Kelly Ann
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