The book I chose to highlight in this issue touches on a topic that has never before been discussed in this magazine. Written by a retired transplant surgeon, this delightful book introduces the concept of organ donation to young learners. In the ant who needed a transplant (self-published, 2023), children in the primary grades are introduced to a loving and hard-working family who are facing a serious medical problem when Papa Ant’s heart becomes weak. The only treatment is a heart transplant. The story is told with sensitivity to both the gravity of the situation and the age of the target audience, with an emphasis on how grateful the family is for Papa Ant’s chance for a healthy future. Themes of compassion, altruism, and how change affects people are presented through straightforward storytelling. Children will relate the situation to their own lives through clear writing and expressive illustrations. More information about the book and its creators can be found here: theantwhoneededatransplant.ca. Author’s proceeds will be given to medical research.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diana Mumford
Diana is the Editor at Canadian Teacher Magazine.
This article is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Fall 2023 issue.
