Check out Little Harper Grace and the Hummingbird, a charming new children’s book whose central character is born prematurely. 
                                      This wonderfully entertaining book was written by Jacksonville author, Jessie Preza.  Jessie is an active member of the March of Dimes Family Team Advisory Council in Jacksonville and also stays busy with her advertising, design and photography agency. 

This book project is near and dear to Jessie’s heart as she had a niece and nephew who were born prematurely and spent six long weeks in the NICU.  She experienced first-hand what her sister and brother-in-law had to endure. 

Because of that experience, she states:  “One of my goals for this book is not only to tell an entertaining and sweet story to children, but also to help raise awareness for the March of Dimes.

Little Harper Grace is a shy, pint-sized girl who meets an unlikely friend in her backyard. It takes a little birdie to help her discover her unique talent.

This story reminds us that big things do come in small packages and that being different is what makes us special. “The main character in my book struggles with self-confidence,” said author Jessie Preza. “I felt there was a strong need for a children’s book with a positive message, geared specifically toward little girls.

This book can be purchased online at http://www.littleharpergrace.com/. Five percent of the purchase price of each book sold will be donated to the March of Dimes Florida Chapter.

As a young boy, Dr. David Loewenstein growing up in South Miami, did what most boys do, playing sports, being successful in school and becoming a professional.

At 35, with a PhD in clinical psychology and on faculty at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine, his wife gave birth to a child born four months early weighing a mere 18 ounces. Born with severe infection, and a collapsed lung, Rachel’s weight dropped to 14 ounces and she was not expected by any of her doctors to survive.

But she did. And, as a tribute to her survival and to all of the other families dealing with prematurity, he penned “For the Love of Rachel: A Father’s Story.” Dr. Loewenstein recounts the incredible and inspirational story his child’s remarkable battle for survival during 9 month in the NICU and how a father came to learn that being a good father was vastly more important than all of the other pursuits that he had once held so dear. It also contains poignant insights about a family’s challenges and transformation as they coped with Rachel’s subsequent special needs.

David and Susan once thought it so essential to have a biological child through in-vitro fertilization, but their experience with Rachel and the voyage to China to bring home younger sister Amy forever changed their views about the meaning of parenting and family. 

“For the Love of Rachel: A Father’s Story” is available through Enalan Communications at http://stores.homestead.com/enalan/StoreFront.bok.  Fifty percent of book profits $5.48 will be contributed to the MARCH of DIMES for each book sold if MOD32 is entered at checkout. Please remember to enter MOD32 so that a donation can be made to support the important work of the March of Dimes in the prevention of prematurity