This is the true story of Patrick, who was born with hemophilia and contracted HIV through a tainted blood transfusion and fought to educate people on the truth about HIV and AIDS.

Karen Mitchell is the mother of two beautiful daughters and is the baby of nine children. Her Mother Alice created the love of story telling in her by sharing classic stories each evening around the dinner table. She has published 7 books for young readers and is an elementary school principal. Even though she never met Patrick Fortin she views him as one of bravest men she has ever heard about. Patrick is her role model for believing that wishes can come true.

Karen Mitchell's profile page

Rebecca Upjohn has worked as an architectural photographer, sheep farmhand, bookstore helper, and more recently a writer and film producer for an independent short film for children called The Go Cart. Rebecca lives in Toronto with her husband, Don and their two sons, Harris and Emmett. The author of the picture books Lily and the Paper Man and Patrick’s Wish, she is interested in characters who reach out to help others. She divides her time between New Hampshire and Ontario.

Rebecca Upjohn's profile page

Mitchell and Upjohn aim to cultivate tolerance and curb ignorance of HIV/AIDS, and in 24 pages they do so admirably.

Counterpoise

Patrick's Wish is simply written for children ages 7-10, filled with beautiful photos of Patrick taken throughout his life. Patrick's Wish ends with a list of 9 important things Patrick would want the reader to know about HIV and AIDS. These 9 simple statements constitute the most effective AIDS-HIV awareness education effort for elementary age children to date. Patrick's Wish will help Patrick's wish, to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, come true.

Midwest Book Review

(This book) puts a human face on an awful disease. The book also gives factual information about HIV/AIDS, and dispels many myths.

Resource Links

You could dip into this anthology anywhere and find something interesting…excellent.

NOW Toronto