Gio's Heart

Book excerpt: The story of Gio's Heart was inspired by the life of my son, Gianni "Gio" Young, who was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome or HLHS. Gio's Heart embellishes on personal lessons learned throughout a challenging ICU experience to illustrate the effect that one child's heart had on all who were connected to him. Gio's Heart encourages the spread of love, forgiveness, hope, and kindness, as well as allows young readers to practice visual recognition, use their motor skills, and use their imagination. Gio's Heart was written and illustrated with young children who have brief or extended stays in the ICU, as well as their parents and family members in mind. It is our hope that you can find support, representation, and encouragement within this book. Gio's Heart is dedicated to Gio and to all of the brave children with congenital heart defects worldwide.