Old Stoic publishes children’s book in support of GOSH

25 January 2021

Henrietta Mackenzie (Nugent 95), publishes her first picture book in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), in gratitude for her three year old daughter’s diagnosis and treatment for a condition called ‘Segmental Haemangioma’.

Published by Austin Macauley Publishers, Henrietta’s book ‘The Secret Lives of Two Googly-Eyed Cats’ is about her daughter Penny and her two toy cats who creep out at night in search of fun and adventure, ransacking bins, scrapping with other cats and generally causing mischief. The dog character, who rescues the cats from mishap, was inspired by her neighbour’s Bernese Mountain dog.

The book is targeted at 3 – 5 year olds and aims to empower children to be more courageous and creative. It also helps teach them kindness. 

Henrietta’s daughter Penny is an outpatient at GOSH. She suffers from having ‘Segmental Haemangioma,’ a potentially dangerous red swelling condition caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels on her face and around her airways. It appeared when she was one week old, then following an MRI scan and endoscopy she was diagnosed by GOSH aged six weeks and then medicated with beta blockers until aged two to reduce the swelling. 

Talking about why she wrote the book, Henrietta comments: “Inspired by reading to my daughter, Penny, and creating stories about her two googly-eyed toy cats, I wrote this picture book to bring my stories to life. Also, due to Penny being medicated for the first two years of her life, she had a severely disrupted sleep routine. I spent many a sleepless night up with her telling stories about her googly-eyed cats.”

 “GOSH provided my daughter with outstanding treatment and care for her condition. They are a phenomenal hospital who go above and beyond for babies and children. I wrote this book in support of them to show my gratitude.”

‘The Secret Lives of Two Googly-Eyed Cats’ is available for pre-order from Amazon and Austin Macauley.com The book launches on 29 January.