A local author has channeled the pain she endured while enduring chemotherapy into writing a children’s book, which has since become a best-seller.
Jean Paetkau has launched her new kids’ book A Gnome With No Comb on the one-year anniversary of her remission.
Paetkau says that she was able to imagine and create the illustrations for this picture book while she was going through treatments.
“My body was in a storm of suffering and I could barely write,” she recalled.
“Composing playful pictures with bright cut-paper allowed me to escape through my imagination.”
Since its release, A Gnome With No Comb has become a best-seller on Amazon Canada for humorous kids’ poetry, and the book has also reached Top Seller status on Amazon in the United States as well.
Paetkau says that the story is meant to make anyone who faces chronic illness feel less alone in their difficult journey.
“The sickness from chemo was unmerciful and losing my hair somehow erased a part of my identity,” explained Paetkau.
“I am in awe of children who endure this brutal treatment. So I created an adventure book for young cancer warriors, so they could see themselves in story and in community.”
A Gnome WIth No Comb is about helping the community by overcoming fear of the sometimes scary Beetlebub.
The story is written in mirthful language and rhythms Paetkau noted that she was largely inspired by the language and rhyming schemes of the iconic Dr. Seuss. In addition to writing the children’s book, Paetkau also did all of the illustrations for the book.
Additionally, Paetkau says she will be donating half of her royalties to kids’ cancer foundations.
Furthermore, this summer, she also raised $10,000 for ovarian cancer research by posting selfies taken at Victoria’s breakwater wearing vintage dresses.
“I have too much fatigue from ongoing immunotherapy so I can’t run or cycle in a race,” she said.
“I wanted to give back in a way that was joyous but reminded me of who I am. After a year of wearing sweatpants to chemo, it felt good to get dressed up again.”
In addition to her newest kids’ book, the author has also penned two best-selling murder mysteries, titled Blood on the Breakwater and The Sinking of Souls, both of which are set in Victoria.
