Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. In 2018, my husband passed away – it was a sad time, yet joy came out of it. He’d always registered as an organ donor – and months after his death, I received thank you notes from several people who had received restored sight or renewed health because of those gifts. And so, when author Rachelle Burk reached out and told me about her newest book, THE GIFT OF LIFE: A Story of Organ and Tissue Donation, I knew I’d want to share it with all of you. April is National Donate Life Month – the perfect time to welcome this much needed book.
Written by: Rachelle Burk
Illustrated by: Benjamin J. Hummel
Publisher: Wiggle Room Books
Ages: 4-10
Themes: Organ Donation, Death & Dying
Synopsis:
Sam has always been a hero to his son, Noah. When a tragedy happens, Sam becomes a superhero to many others. A Gift of Life: A Story of Organ and Tissue Donation is a sensitive picture book that honors organ and tissue donors. It shows how their final gifts change the course of others’ lives, and help their own families find meaning in their loss.
“A unique and meaningful story about a child learning to live with loss, while discovering the powerful, life-saving impact their loved one made through the gift of organ and tissue donation. Any adult supporting a child through loss and donation would benefit from this special book.” ~ Jacqueline Salvatore, MSW LSW, NJ Sharing Network
“Through its gentle narrative and vibrant illustrations, ‘A Gift of Life’ offers a clear and accessible understanding of the profound act of giving and receiving the gift of life. By delicately addressing the complex topic of organ donation with sensitivity, Rachelle is able to explain the importance of giving the gift of life in a way that is easy for young minds to grasp. This book will undoubtedly spark meaningful conversations about kindness, empathy and generosity. ~ Tara Storch, Co-Founder Taylor’s Gift Foundation and Donor Mom
“As a heart recipient of 28 years, I can attest to the power of this book in conveying the significance of organ donation, making it a must-read for anyone seeking understanding and inspiration in this journey of life and gratitude.” ~ Kelly Perkins, MovingHearts.org
“A thoughtful and heartwarming resource for organ and tissue donor families and those touched by the gift of life…an inspiring story of hope and heroes for all ages.” ~ Amanda Tibok, Sharing
Network Foundation
And happily, author Rachelle stopped by to fill us in on a bit of the back story.
ME: Hello Rachelle! Welcome to Picture Book Help Kids Soar! Thank you for visiting. I wanted to tell you that one of the most wonderful things about this book is the diversity, not only the ethnic diversity, but the range of illnesses the book touches on and portrays – like the teacher who uses oxygen in the classroom. How wonderful for the child reader to see this.
RACHELLE:
Thanks so much for featuring the book, Vivian.
My fiction picture book is called The Gift of Life: A Story of Organ Donation and Transplant. It was funded by the NJ Sharing Network, the federally designated organ procurement organization for the New Jersey.
It is the only picture book of its kind in existence (as far as we can tell). Unlike the few other children’s books about organ donation, which tend to follow the journey of a person who receives a transplant, A Gift of Life honors on the life and heroism of the donor from the point of view of his young son, and from the recipients of his gifts whose lives he saves.
I decided to write the book after my daughter, a clinical donation specialist (RN) for The NJ Sharing Network, lamented about their Family Support Services’ lack of resources for children whose loved one died and donated organs and/or tissue.
Although the target audience is relatively small – children whose lives have somehow been affected by organ donation or transplantation – I hope my book will help increase awareness of the importance of organ donation.
The release date has been delayed a few times because the illustrator has a serious illness which has him hospitalized quite often. He’s a liver transplant recipient with an autoimmune disorder. He’s powered through this in time for the book to come out by the spring. That’s because April is National Donate Life Month, a time to promote awareness of organ and tissue donation, and to honor those who gave the gift of life.
Thank you so much,, Rachelle. I know we are all so glad that Benjamin was able to complete the book…the illustrations are fabulous!
Dear friends, please jump on the bandwagon and spread the word about this book. There are many parents and children who need to hear about it. Let’s do what we can:
Buy the book
Review the book
Put the book on your Goodreads Want To Read Shelf
Tell friends about the book (share on social media
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection
I hope you all have a beautiful weekend. Please come back tomorrow for a special Will Write for Cookies with several KidLit Clubhouse folks. And Sunday…the results of #50PreciousWords!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
I am sorry for your loss Vivian! Turning tragedy into something beautiful is such a special experience that means so much to so many. Thanks for sharing the book.
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Thank you for sharing this special book… and your own story.
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Heartfelt condolences Vivian. Your husband was indeed a hero. Thanks for sharing this story.
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wow, what an amazing book! It will open hearts and minds to the miracle of organ donation and transplants, as well as help children grieve. Thank you l, Rachelle, for bringing this needed resource to life. Vivian, you know the impact of organ donation—a positive gift in a difficult time. Thanks for sharing the news about this book.
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Thank you so much! I hope the book will help many children.
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Oh wow, what a brilliant idea for a picture book. I’m sure Vivian’s husband is smiling about it too. What a kind, generous, loving man he must have been.
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Sorry for your loss, Vivian. This sounds like such a great book!
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So sorry for your loss, Vivian. What a beautiful, selfless thing your husband did. And congratulations, Rachelle, on a very needed story.
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Thank you for sharing a book on this important topic. It’s a wonderful idea to show the impact of organ donation and honor those who shared the gift of life, including your husband, Vivian. Beautiful job, Rachelle, and congratulations.
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thank you, Claire! I hope to spread the word about the importance of organ donation.
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Vivian, thank you for sharing about the good your husband did and sorry for your loss. This book sounds amazing and important. Congratulations, Rachelle.
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Such a meaningful book. One we could have used for my niece when my only brother passed. He suffered a massive stroke at she 44 and ended up in a coma. We orated and hope for his healing, but He was soon pronounced brain dead and the doctors asked us if we would consent to have his organs donated. My father and two sisters and I decided to donate his organs so other families would not have to suffer.
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should read we prayed and hoped. Sorry for the typos.
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what a kind thing to do! I hope it brought a bit of light to the dark situation, knowing that your brother was a hero.
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Such an important life topic that needs much more normalized discussion among adults and kids. Congratulations, Rachelle! And thank you, Vivian, for spotlighting this very special book.
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Thanks for sharing! Such an important topic. Glad this book exists in the world— more should be out there! Hopefully this will inspire others to write on this topic!
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thank you bridget! If it inspires more people to sign up as donors, it will have been worth it.
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Such an important book, Rachelle. Thank you for sharing. And Vivian, although I never met him in person, I felt like I knew Stuart, and I am not surprised he gave this wonderful gift.
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Oh, I love stories like this one! First time I’ve seen organ and tissue transplants in a PB> Wish I had this when out grandson died in Iraq. He saved the lives of 8 people and helped many more. It would have been perfect for his young `0-year-old brother. Nice to be back — my husband has many health issues and I had to stop posting.Challenging time.
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hi Patricia, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your grandson was truly a hero. I subscribe to your Children’s Books Heal blog. You’ve done such good work. Thank you! If you’d like to read my book, please email me (rachelleburk@gmail.com) and I will send you a PDF.
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I’m so glad a pb has been written on this topic.
What a wonderful gift to donate tissue and organs! ❤🙏
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Thank you so much! I hope it helps many children.
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I’m so impressed that you found a way to share this subject in a picture book, Rachelle! I am sure it will help so many families. My MG has a storyline of organ donation woven through it and I hope to do the subject justice. Thank you, Vivian for sharing this book with us.
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A very touching and powerful book. Thanks for sharing it, Vivian.
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Thank you, Maria!
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What an amazing gift people receive from an organ donor, and what a wonderful, heartfelt book. Thank you so much for sharing it with us, Viv!
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Thank you, Hilary!
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