BISOUS FOR LÉO | A READ ALOUD Awareness Campaign for INAD

Kid Lit News

BISOUS FOR LÉO | A READ ALOUD Awareness Campaign for INAD

Whitney Patapoff reads BISOUS FOR LÉO, a true story inspired by a little boy named
Leo Vauclare, who was diagnosed with a rare disease called Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD)

About the Book
Written by Whitney Patapoff, illustrated by Pauline Vuarin

We all know that a kiss from our parents can make almost anything feel better, but can you imagine if kisses really were all we needed to heal? In this beautifully illustrated book, Bisous for Leo, we explore that wonderful idea. Leo, a young duck from France, has a “boo-boo” that you can’t see. In a brave act of kindness, he makes it his mission to help others like him. Leo sets out to fly around the world and gather BISOUS (kisses in French) from all sorts of animals to help make him and his friends feel better. Bisous for Leo was inspired by the true story of a little boy named Leo Vauclare, who was diagnosed with a rare disease called Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD) at just two years old. Teaching empathy and discussing illness is not always easy with young children. Bisous for Leo touches on these sensitive points in a light and heartwarming way, helping children understand and cope with sickness in general. All of the proceeds from the book go to the Bisous For Léo fundraiser, which supports children affected by INAD, however, the book’s message of kindness and giving through kisses resonates with any audience.

About the Cause

One kiss can change the world!
Leo has a rare, neurodegenerative disease called INAD, which is essentially a cross between Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia. Leo and his friends who also have INAD experience the same cognitive and physical regression as those with the aforementioned diseases. However, these children have only lived a small fraction of life than adults with these diseases typically do, which is why finding a cure for INAD is so important. These children deserve a chance to live longer than the expected 10 years and in the process of researching INAD, we may also be able to improve treatment options for adults with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Lewy Body Dementia; which together affect over 50 million people worldwide! Shortly after Leo’s diagnosis, his mother, Deborah, and her best friend, Emily, launched Bisous For Léo: www.BisousForLeo.org and an accompanying social media campaign @BisousForLeo, to help raise awareness about INAD. Funds raised go to the INADcure Foundation, which supports the most promising INAD-related research projects, including Leo’s clinical trial. All of the proceeds from the Bisous for Leo book go directly to the cause.