by Hey Gee (with the kind collaboration of Charles)
Age: 5-9 years old
Pagination: 40 pages
Size: 197 x 270 mm
Binding: Hardback
Languages: French (English version published by Mayo Clinic)
Publication: December 2023
Free
ISBN: 978-2-38427-108-5 (printed book)/ 978-2-38427-109-2 (ePub)
Rafael loves being outdoors with his family. But when his cat, Alfredo, disappears on a camping trip, Rafael finds himself on an unexpected adventure in search of his furry friend. Ancient traps, wild weather swings, and a touch of magic are around every turn! Through it all, Rafael must also be careful to manage his asthma and avoid triggers, such as smoke and catching a cold, that could cause breathing problems.
How can Rafael keep his symptoms under control to find Alfredo — and a way back home? Find out as he explores life beyond this common childhood disease.
“Children’s voices are rarely heard amid the complexity of modern medicine. That’s why every story in the My Life Beyond series stems from the imagination and experience of a Mayo Clinic patient. The books were developed through collaboration between these patients, Mayo Clinic physicians and author-illustrator Hey Gee. Through this unique lens of inspiring real-life experiences, the series explores how children view illness, challenges and recovery.”
Fredric Meyer (MD, Consultant, Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Executive Dean of Education Professor of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science)
James A. Levine (MD, PhD), Professor, President, Fondation Ipsen, Paris, France)
Hey Gee is a French and American author and illustrator. He began his career in 1998 in Paris, France. He also spent a few decades exploring the world of street art and graffiti in different European capitals. After moving to New York in 2008, he worked with many companies and brands, developing a reputation in graphic design and illustration for his distinctive style of translating complex ideas into simple and timeless visual stories. He is also the owner and creative director of Hey Gee Studio, a full-service creative agency based in New York City.
Website: www.heygee.com
Agent: www.patricia-lucas.com
Charles was born at 24 weeks of pregnancy, weighing only 1 pound, 11 ounces. Because of his early arrival, his lungs, heart, and brain needed more time to develop. He spent four months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There, he received care to help him survive and grow. Once he was at home, he remained on oxygen and a monitor for a year. Because of his chronic lung disease, he had to get shots for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and he has to be careful to avoid too many crowds to prevent him from getting sick. Today, although he is still small, he is a very happy, high-energy 8 year old boy. He attends Spanish immersion school and participates in as many activities as possible trying to keep up with his older brother. He uses his inhaler daily and also a nebulizer when he gets sick. He lives in Rochester, MN with his family.