Avery wakes up in the middle of the night to find herself in unfamiliar surroundings and has somehow lost her colors! The crickets call to her, and flowers from the wall guide her out of bed and into the moonlit garden. With the help of a fox, an owl, and a boy named Dalton, Avery goes on a quest to find her colors… and finds many other meaningful things along the way. Avery’s Gift is reminiscent of fables told long ago, yet is based on a modern, true story of two, young children, Avery and Dalton. It highlights how their lives were connected one summer night and the gifts they gave each other.

Avery’s Gift is a timeless story of love, loss, friendship, and finding true colors.

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My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from Smith Publicity. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Avery’s Gift is a cheerful story with text that rhymes. The colors of the illustrations on every page are bright and colorful. All except Avery, that is. When she wakes up, she has no color. She goes looking for her color and when she meets Dalton, they become quick close friends. When he has to leave and gives her a gift, her color comes back!

This story was made even more special when I learned how it came about. Avery was sick and needed a new heart. When Dalton died in a tragic accident, she received his heart and she is now a vibrant young woman because he gave her her color back.

Avery’s Gift is a book that will be cherished by children and adults alike. I can’t wait to share it with my grandkids.

About the Author

JON HOEFER is an author, illustrator and art director and has been involved with the printing and publishing industry for over 30 years. He is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Visual and Performing Arts program, majoring in illustration. His illustrative work has been published in national newspapers and magazines. He has been an illustrator and art director of four books including “Eddie Shapes Up” by former NYC mayor Ed Koch and Pat Thaler Koch, “Lilly Lou Makes a New Friend” and “Lilly Lou Goes to Washington, D.C.” a series by Mike Murphy. In addition, Hoefer wrote and illustrated “Pun Intended: Welcome to the Punny Farm,” which are visual puns, once made famous when he acted as Art Director of the Daily Orange Newspaper at Syracuse University. He currently lives with his family in St. Petersburg, FL.