A local author is using the power of story to impact kids’ lives - on and off the page. Vernon resident Michael Buffie recently released his first children’s book, Elliot’s Pond, through Okanagan Publishing. The story, which follows the frog Elliot and his friends Ned, Bernard, and Florence, explores themes of friendship and acceptance. The major impetus for the book, shares the author, was “to instill in our kids that when someone looks or acts different than yourself, it’s not bad, or something to be scared of.”

The author and publishing company reached a formal royalty agreement with the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, in support of the BC Children’s Hospital, which sees partial proceeds from the book going directly to kids in need. BC Children’s Hospital, based in Vancouver, is the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to the care of children, treating nearly 100,000 patients each year.

For Michael Buffie, using his book to benefit the BC Children’s Hospital was an easy decision. “It is important to me because the staff there provide awesome care and support to our son, who has Type 1 Diabetes,” the author explains, “So many children benefit from the awesome care there, so I think it is a great organization to support.”

For Okanagan Publishing House, the aim is to promote two important causes. “We want children reading this book to take to heart the message of acceptance, of embracing those that may appear different from you,” says founder Jadon Dick, “We also want to share about the amazing work that the BC Children’s Hospital is doing in the province.” He explains that his adopted twin brother and sister share a rare neurological disorder which requires frequent visits down to the coast for testing. “They have been such a help on their health journey - I honestly don’t know where they would be without the BC Children’s Hospital.”

Elliot’s Pond is available for purchase at a number of local realtors, including the Kelowna Visitor Centre, as well as online through www.okanaganpublishinghouse.ca. To learn more about the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and to donate please go to: www.bcchf.ca.