
Our Story
We know firsthand that life brings many ups and downs and it can be especially hard to discuss difficult life hurdles we face with our kids. So we wrote Hunter’s Hurdles to share some of our own life hurdles with you, but in a more colorful, kid-friendly way. This children’s book series is about a two-year old boy named Hunter, who has already overcome three major life hurdles: open heart surgery, after being diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries - wearing a cranial remolding orthosis (just a fancy term for a helmet!), to fix the flat spot on the back of his head - and the dreaded “c-word” after his mommy was diagnosed with having breast cancer at the age of thirty. Holy life hurdles! Whether you have experienced these life hurdles yourself, know someone who has or just want to open your child’s mind to the challenges others face—there is a lesson in Hunter’s Hurdles for everyone! Plus, every book you purchase is an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life—good reads for good deeds!
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Books
Hunter's Hero
My Mommy has Breast Cancer
A two year old boy named Hunter faces a major life hurdle—his mommy has breast cancer. A relatable and educational story for all kids of pink-cape rocking mamas.
Hunter's Heart
I was Born With a Congenital Heart Defect
One little boy named Hunter is born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD). Both educational and heart warming, Hunter's Heart is a birth story for all heart babies!

Coming Soon
Hunter's Helmet
I'm Fixing My Flat Spot!
Hunter has to wear a cranial orthosis to fix the flat spot on his head. Hunter's journey, familiar to many, is a reminder to be empathetic to those that look different than you.
EVENTS
We have two ways to give back—reading and riding! Our annual Hunter's Heart Fundraiser supports research within the Heart Center at Boston Children's Hospital and our participation in the PanMass Challenge supports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Breast Oncology program.
Check out the details below to learn more and donate.
Kind Words
When my daughter was three-years-old, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. At just 35, I was the only parent with breast cancer in our preschool community. Breast cancer was a terrifying experience for me, compounded by needing to comfort and care for my young daughter at the same time. I remember searching and searching for picture books to help explain the situation to her in frank, age-appropriate and hopeful language, but most of the books I found for small children were specific to when a grandmother has breast cancer. It's so different when it's mom's breast cancer. While I'm so sorry to know Shannon faced the same lonely diagnosis with a young child at home as I did, I do wish her book, Hunter's Hero, had been available to help my family through this difficult time. I am so glad to know other families will have this beautiful and touching book and know they are not alone.
~April Johnson Stearns, Founder & Editor of WILDFIRE Magazine