When James Leonard, MD, Carle Health president and CEO, wanted to share stories with messages for his grandchildren, he decided to include all of us.
“I thought it was important to share these stories because of their message of community, compassion and kindness,” Dr. Leonard said.
Dr. Leonard has written his second children’s book, “The Giraffe in the Backyard.” In 2018, he wrote his first children’s book, “Argus.”
Various Carle Health regions’ gift shops will have books, which retail for $3.95, available onsite. All proceeds will go to Carle auxiliaries and service leagues that support the care and experience of patients throughout the hospital system.
Both books also are available at carlegiftshop.com.
Dr. Leonard has donated hundreds of copies of the book to children in Carle Health’s Healthy Beginnings program and for back-to-school events.
“’The Giraffe in the Backyard’ is absolutely adorable,” Shelley Williams, supervisor of the three Carle Health gift shops and the resale boutique in Champaign-Urbana, said. “Any family would enjoy having a copy. Both books are cute and have a nice message. And all proceeds will go back into the organization.”
Books share messages of community, kindness
The new book tells the story of a young boy, Finn, who finds a giraffe in his backyard on the first day of summer vacation. He works with his cousin, Jase, who is the mayor, to figure out who owns the giraffe and how to return it home safely.
The first book, “Argus,” tells the story of a lone goose found by children in a fenced-in area of a park one spring morning. The children lead the villagers in protecting and saving the goose, who was named “Argus” by one of the children, Jase.
“Argus” is based loosely on a true story from Monticello and was written for Dr. Leonard’s grandson, Jase, when he was 2 years old.
“The Giraffe in the Backyard” was written for Dr. Leonard’s second grandson, Finn, for his second birthday.
Dr. Leonard wanted both stories to center around community and kindness. The heroes of the stories are children who protect animals.
Dr. Leonard decided to self-publish the book and make it available to the public for several reasons.
Every child should be reminded of the importance of community and kindness toward each other and animals, he said.
“I want children to learn that each of us has an opportunity to make a difference in our communities,” he said.
Dr. Leonard also wants to pass along his love of reading. The book is illustrated by Tom Lintern, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based illustrator, in black and white so children could color it.
“Reading unlocks a lot of doors. It’s about education and curiosity. When you can read, you can dream and the possibilities are endless,” Dr. Leonard said.
Proceeds support auxiliaries’ and service leagues’ programs, services
Dr. Leonard decided that the proceeds of book sales would support the auxiliaries and service leagues throughout Carle Health.
“I have a great affinity for what the auxiliaries and service leagues do,” he said. “I wanted to make the books available in the gift shops and 100% of the sales will go to the groups that have done so much for us.”
The gift shops operate under auxiliaries and service leagues, which provide money and volunteers to benefit hospital operations and patient experience.
Proceeds from the book sales in the Champaign-Urbana Service Area will support the Carle Health Guest House across from Carle Foundation Hospital, Eric Toliver, MBA, director of Auxiliary and Volunteer Services, said. In the other Carle Health regions, the auxiliaries and service leagues will choose projects that will benefit from the book sales.
“We’re honored to have ‘The Giraffe in the Backyard’ in the gift shops and the message it sends about community, kindness and helping one another along life’s journey,” Toliver said.
Hundreds of copies donated to Healthy Beginnings
Dr. Leonard donated several hundred copies of the book to Healthy Beginnings, the Carle Health community initiative program that brings direct-home nursing care to improve the health outcomes of underserved families. He did the same with “Argus.”
“It was incredibly important to me to tie into community,” he said.
Julianna Sellett, DNP, MBA, RN, vice president of Community Health with Carle Health, said the Healthy Beginnings early childhood team and nurses distribute “The Giraffe in the Backyard” during home visits.
The book also will be available at Healthy Beginnings engagement events and when the early childhood team attends six back-to-school and early childhood screening events this year throughout Champaign and Vermilion Counties.
“Dr. Leonard’s generosity in giving his time, talents, and books highlights his unwavering support for Carle Health and the services we provide,” Sellett said. “It also demonstrates his commitment to the long-term health and well-being of the people we serve. There are strong correlations between reading and long-term health. Studies indicate that reading, especially books, is linked to better long-term health and prosperity.
“Healthy Beginnings teams encourage daily reading in every home, and it's heartwarming to witness the excitement children have when they are given a book of their own. Many of the families our teams serve have never owned books, and the joy on a child's face when they receive one is absolutely magical,” Sellett said.
Book sales allow everyone to share
“The Giraffe in the Backyard” has joined “Argus” at the Carle Auxiliary Gift Shops at Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle At The Fields and Carle Champaign on Curtis in Champaign-Urbana and the Carle Auxiliary Resale Boutique, Urbana. “The Giraffe in the Backyard” also is available at the gift shops at Carle Health Methodist Hospital and Carle Health Proctor Hospital, both in Peoria; at the Carle Health Pekin Hospital gift shop and the East Street Boutique of Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.
Dr. Leonard hopes people buy the book for the children in their lives, the auxiliaries and service leagues.
“It’s meant to be used. Read it, share it, read it to a child, let them read it to you, let them color it. Buy 10 and give them to a kindergarten class!
“Reading unlocks a lot of doors,” Dr. Leonard said. “It’s about education and curiosity. When you can read, you can dream, and the possibilities are endless.”
“I thought it was important to share these stories because of their message of community, compassion and kindness,” Dr. Leonard said.
Dr. Leonard has written his second children’s book, “The Giraffe in the Backyard.” In 2018, he wrote his first children’s book, “Argus.”
Various Carle Health regions’ gift shops will have books, which retail for $3.95, available onsite. All proceeds will go to Carle auxiliaries and service leagues that support the care and experience of patients throughout the hospital system.
Both books also are available at carlegiftshop.com.
Dr. Leonard has donated hundreds of copies of the book to children in Carle Health’s Healthy Beginnings program and for back-to-school events.
“’The Giraffe in the Backyard’ is absolutely adorable,” Shelley Williams, supervisor of the three Carle Health gift shops and the resale boutique in Champaign-Urbana, said. “Any family would enjoy having a copy. Both books are cute and have a nice message. And all proceeds will go back into the organization.”
Books share messages of community, kindness
The new book tells the story of a young boy, Finn, who finds a giraffe in his backyard on the first day of summer vacation. He works with his cousin, Jase, who is the mayor, to figure out who owns the giraffe and how to return it home safely.
The first book, “Argus,” tells the story of a lone goose found by children in a fenced-in area of a park one spring morning. The children lead the villagers in protecting and saving the goose, who was named “Argus” by one of the children, Jase.
“Argus” is based loosely on a true story from Monticello and was written for Dr. Leonard’s grandson, Jase, when he was 2 years old.
“The Giraffe in the Backyard” was written for Dr. Leonard’s second grandson, Finn, for his second birthday.
Dr. Leonard wanted both stories to center around community and kindness. The heroes of the stories are children who protect animals.
Dr. Leonard decided to self-publish the book and make it available to the public for several reasons.
Every child should be reminded of the importance of community and kindness toward each other and animals, he said.
“I want children to learn that each of us has an opportunity to make a difference in our communities,” he said.
Dr. Leonard also wants to pass along his love of reading. The book is illustrated by Tom Lintern, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based illustrator, in black and white so children could color it.
“Reading unlocks a lot of doors. It’s about education and curiosity. When you can read, you can dream and the possibilities are endless,” Dr. Leonard said.
Proceeds support auxiliaries’ and service leagues’ programs, services
Dr. Leonard decided that the proceeds of book sales would support the auxiliaries and service leagues throughout Carle Health.
“I have a great affinity for what the auxiliaries and service leagues do,” he said. “I wanted to make the books available in the gift shops and 100% of the sales will go to the groups that have done so much for us.”
The gift shops operate under auxiliaries and service leagues, which provide money and volunteers to benefit hospital operations and patient experience.
Proceeds from the book sales in the Champaign-Urbana Service Area will support the Carle Health Guest House across from Carle Foundation Hospital, Eric Toliver, MBA, director of Auxiliary and Volunteer Services, said. In the other Carle Health regions, the auxiliaries and service leagues will choose projects that will benefit from the book sales.
“We’re honored to have ‘The Giraffe in the Backyard’ in the gift shops and the message it sends about community, kindness and helping one another along life’s journey,” Toliver said.
Hundreds of copies donated to Healthy Beginnings
Dr. Leonard donated several hundred copies of the book to Healthy Beginnings, the Carle Health community initiative program that brings direct-home nursing care to improve the health outcomes of underserved families. He did the same with “Argus.”
“It was incredibly important to me to tie into community,” he said.
Julianna Sellett, DNP, MBA, RN, vice president of Community Health with Carle Health, said the Healthy Beginnings early childhood team and nurses distribute “The Giraffe in the Backyard” during home visits.
The book also will be available at Healthy Beginnings engagement events and when the early childhood team attends six back-to-school and early childhood screening events this year throughout Champaign and Vermilion Counties.
“Dr. Leonard’s generosity in giving his time, talents, and books highlights his unwavering support for Carle Health and the services we provide,” Sellett said. “It also demonstrates his commitment to the long-term health and well-being of the people we serve. There are strong correlations between reading and long-term health. Studies indicate that reading, especially books, is linked to better long-term health and prosperity.
“Healthy Beginnings teams encourage daily reading in every home, and it's heartwarming to witness the excitement children have when they are given a book of their own. Many of the families our teams serve have never owned books, and the joy on a child's face when they receive one is absolutely magical,” Sellett said.
Book sales allow everyone to share
“The Giraffe in the Backyard” has joined “Argus” at the Carle Auxiliary Gift Shops at Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle At The Fields and Carle Champaign on Curtis in Champaign-Urbana and the Carle Auxiliary Resale Boutique, Urbana. “The Giraffe in the Backyard” also is available at the gift shops at Carle Health Methodist Hospital and Carle Health Proctor Hospital, both in Peoria; at the Carle Health Pekin Hospital gift shop and the East Street Boutique of Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.
Dr. Leonard hopes people buy the book for the children in their lives, the auxiliaries and service leagues.
“It’s meant to be used. Read it, share it, read it to a child, let them read it to you, let them color it. Buy 10 and give them to a kindergarten class!
“Reading unlocks a lot of doors,” Dr. Leonard said. “It’s about education and curiosity. When you can read, you can dream, and the possibilities are endless.”
Categories: Community
Tags: auxiliary, beginnings, book, CEO, children, gift, healthy, leagues, Leonard, philanthropy, service, shop