Books Heal.
Amazon bestselling book The Gift of the Ladybug is a magical tale of love, joy, and acceptance through the eyes of two horses that learn that their son is actually a handsome little ladybug (scroll for testimonials, TV clips, and the story behind the story).
Used as a bibliotherapy book by doctors, therapists, and teachers, this book helps families accept difficult diagnoses with peace and power. Inspired by my dearly departed son TJ, this book has started a national movement, helped raise over $125K for children with critical illness, and created the national “Gift of the Ladybug” Day on January 28.
If you are a medical professional, therapist, teacher, parent, or friend of a child with critical illness, this book is for you. Proceeds are donated to children with critical illness through organizations including Make-A-Wish Metro New York, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, and children’s hospitals across the country. BUY HERE.
Carole Mac on DailyMailTV
Watch Carole Mac on the nationally syndicated TV program DailyMailTV to learn how TJ and The Gift of the Ladybug have created a national movement.
Why Dr. Humphrey Recommends the Book
Hear why the Director of Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Nationwide Children's Hospital Dr. Humphrey uses The Gift of the Ladybug in her practice.
What People Are Saying
“Your book is a gift to me because the story opens a door for dialogue with parents and families. It speaks to them parent to parent, not social worker to parent…and while each child and family is unique, it also lets them know that there is someone else in the world who truly understands. Your book is a beautiful legacy and you are helping others along their own personal journeys more than you can possibly know. I am so grateful for your help in this work.”
— Felicia M. Hunter, BSW, Albany Medical Center
***** Great Book to Help Children (Amazon)
“The Child Life Specialist at Children's Hospital read this book to my 6 year old after her baby brother died in the NICU. His life was short (19 days) but precious to us, and this book was perfect to help her understand his death and celebrate the time we had with him. I loved it so much, I had to buy one for home, which is good because she still picks it up and asks me to read it to her often. Grief is a long process and it is helping her, and me, a great deal.”
— Beth
***** Required Reading (Amazon)
“Beautifully written, easily read. If everyone would read and understand this, and act it, this would be a much happier, educated society. ”
— Nadine S. Nygren
“The most amazing children's book I have ever read, and I can never get through it without crying both tears of sadness and overwhelming joy. I encourage any parent to obtain and read this book over and over.”
— Anita Birk, Mom of Owen and Founder of Mommies of Miracles
***** Beautiful (Amazon)
“Very touching. As a parent of a special needs child, I can totally relate. This book should be given to all parents when they receive their child’s diagnosis.”
— Emma Albiza
The Story Behind the Story.
This story came to me in a flash during one of my darkest moments. It was a cold, dark, and rainy evening in December. We were driving home from the Cleveland Clinic after hearing the doctor say, “Your son TJ may not see his second birthday.” I was reeling, frozen in a catatonic state, and in agonizing pain.
Suddenly I began to see horses and ladybugs floating in my head. I watched as the ladybug asked the horses why they were crying, and I heard the ladybug say, “But I don’t know how to be a horse. I only know how to be a ladybug.” It was these words and the peace that they brought that allowed me to find relief in that harrowing moment.
In the days following that car ride, I put pen to paper and wrote The Gift of the Ladybug for TJ (meet TJ in this adorable photo of him to the left). I gave it to him for Christmas and was able to read it to him countless times. The Gift of the Ladybug mirrors the way TJ made us feel. His eyes and demeanor would say, “Mom and Dad, I’m okay. It must be this way.”
TJ peacefully passed away in April 2009 at fourteen months old due to complications from Leigh syndrome.
My profound gratitude to TJ and this story reaches far beyond words. Not only did The Gift of the Ladybug provide comfort to me and my family when we needed it most, but it helped us reframe how we looked at our circumstances. When times got hard, we embodied the story. We would remind ourselves that TJ was our ladybug and that he would never be a horse. And if TJ could face his fate with joy, laughter, love, and peace; we could find find a way to do the same. Our wise little ladybug gave us a glimpse of what it is like to fly.
My hope is that because The Gift of the Ladybug was so instrumental for me and my family, it will help you, too. To all ladybugs—and to everyone who loves them—I wish you joy, laughter, love, and most of all, peace.
Here I am with one of my favorite ladybugs,
mitochondrial warrior Katie Hebert