Furry: The Little Penguin Who Cares

by Ann Yurcek, Marcia Chambers, Jodee Kulp (Illustrator)

There is a little boy named Mac, who had a best friend named Furry, the penguin. Furry is Mac’s Emotional Support Partner Stuffie. Mac has many challenges, and with Furry, they go everywhere and do everything together. How that came to be was ‘just’ another story. Furry, The Little Penguins That Could. Mac had learned that a ‘Stuffie’ friend was just what he needed to help him through the ‘tough stuff’ of living with his disabilities. Furry helps him when he can’t talk, to steady his arms to walk or roll. To calm him when he’s anxious or frustrated, when he struggles with NEW, or just too much! Or when he is scared. Mac’s Mom, teachers, and friends saw the difference the little stuffed penguin made in his life, and soon other children found some of the same love and hugs with their Furry. That gave Mom another idea. We could write a story to help other children. The idea for “Furry, The Little Penguins That Care” was born. A book to help children cope with the range of emotions children go through each day and how they can share their lives with their own Emotional Support Partner Stuffie. You know ‘Stuffies’ can become REAL in the hearts of children and the adults who believe. One day, Mac and his little penguin named Furry had a wish to get Furrys to children around the globe who are sad or scared or just needed a friend to go on adventures with. And that is a whole lot of Furry. But Mac knew that helping others was important. Mac had traveled the world wearing his little Red Shoes, raising awareness about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, one of his many diagnoses, and even in Antarctica, he could educate others. He knew that miracles are possible. He was on his iPad when he learned that Countrytime, Lemonade asked kids to do a project, and they would donate money to do so. Mac wrote a letter using his talker and with his computer to tell Countrytime about his project. Mac likes writing letters to companies to advocate for kids like him. He started a virtual lemonade stand to raise money to buy Furry the Penguins to put into police officer vehicles to give to kids in traumatizing situations. He sold his lemonade for just 5 cents, and one person bought 300 glasses in one day. That let him buy two whole Furry the Penguins to give to two hurting children. More people bought lemonade, and Mom added her pretend gluten-free cookies for 10 cents. His teacher Mrs. C with Mac’s help had been stuffing Trauma bags for our local hospital, giving children a new Furry and a book to read while at the hospital. The Furry Project had been launched. But he can help more children and get a whole lot of Furry the Penguins. By buying this book will help him Stuff Furry Emotional Support Partner bags in trunks of police cars, trunks of social workers who help children in foster care where he used to live, and for children who are sick or have surgeries as he has had, or for kids who have lost someone they love. Police officers and others have told us the Furrys magic works. To learn more about “The Furry Project,” visit www.furrythepenguin.com.

41 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2020

Reviews

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Support stuffies are great

As the parent of 2 special kids with invisible disabilities, we were always certain to bring their favorite items. For Duncan it was cars, for Gabby it ranged from horses to puppie dogs dragged on a leash to scented stickers. Furry help all kids know having a special stuffy is just fine. In fact, this year, 2020, I think even adults needed stuffies to talk to. A great book, Ann & Mac! We loved it here.