Quinn's Storybook Wish

During the worst times of illness and isolation, Quinn would watch videos about monsters and think about her favorite holiday, Halloween, to help pass the time. Now in remission, she wished to have a storybook written about her and friendly monsters that she could share with those who helped her survive cancer.

Make-A-Wish went to work finding just the right person to help make Quinn’s wish a reality – professional author and illustrator Fred Koehler. Fred rallied the local author and illustrator community to contribute short stories and poems with illustrations. The result is “Quinn’s Monsters” and features Quinn’s likeness along with some of her favorite stuffed animals, Ghost, Peppa and Raff Raff.

It was extremely rewarding to pull together my friends who are writers and illustrators to make a project for someone like Quinn. It made me feel like my life has meaning. I did a good thing,” Fred said.

Days before her 5^th birthday, Make-A-Wish held a big book reveal party for Quinn at The Learning Experience, a Make-A-Wish National Partner. Quinn got the chance to meet Fred Koehler, who presented her with the very first copy of her hardcover book, “Quinn’s Monsters.”

Quinn’s mom said, “She’ll never forget it. I know she won’t. Her favorite thing in the world is books. Every day that’s all she does – bring books to read over and over. It’s just amazing. We’re very grateful and lucky to be here and to have her as our miracle.”

Fred shared with everyone the incredible process of making Quinn’s book, and signed copies of the spooky and silly masterpiece. There was a special appearance by Bubbles The Elephant, TLE’s mascot, and of course, some of Quinn’s favorite snacks including cupcakes and goldfish.

Then it was time to share the book with some of Quinn’s peers – 4-year-olds! Quinn and Fred visited a TLE classroom to debut a couple stories from Quinn’s book. Fred also did a brief demonstration on how to illustrate one of the characters, and Quinn and her new friends made bookmarks.

Fred said, “It was priceless to see Quinn get that book in her hands for the first time, to recognize her face in every single illustration and just know that it was made just for her.”

According to her father, this wish will continue to impact Quinn who will want to read the book with everyone she meets. She is excited to share it with the medical professionals who went on her cancer journey with her.

“This wish means everything. The fact that she can be a normal kid again is just the greatest feeling in the world,” her father added.

Wish Granters: Fran Garfunkel & Robin Weissman
Referred by Leslie Hutchins, her child life specialist
Wish adopted by Mrs. Sheri Jessell