8 year old Julia benefits from Oodles

“When I’m in pain, I go through [Oodles] and it gets my mind off the pain and helps me relax and have fun…  This is a good thing for kids because it’s creative and gets you thinking and feeling better.”

~ 11 years old frequent patient, Seattle, WA

Art with Heart’s Oodles of Doodles activity book offers over 40 engaging activities based in art therapy. Designed to help children communicate their feelings through pages that encourage communication and imagination. Hidden behind the colorful imagery are therapeutic benefits that give them back a much-needed sense of control and a safe place to express their fears and worries. Read what people are saying about the book here.

Oodles has been endorsed by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Starlight Foundation for Children and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, and enjoys success in an estimated 500 hospitals across North America who routinely utilize Oodles with children in their care. Oodles is also available in Spanish.

BACKGROUND

Hallie is the inspiration behind the book

In 1999, founder Steffanie Lorig met a little girl named Hallie, who had been diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer when she was 12 months old. When they met, Hallie was six years old and had spent a large portion of her young life fighting the obstinate tumor. Up until then, Art with Heart only had programming for homeless youth. Meeting Hallie made Steffanie realize that Art with Heart needed to expand and reach out to help children like her.

Shortly after meeting her, Steffanie had a vivid dream about an extraordinary activity book that would bring healing and help to hospitalized children who were dealing with anxiety and fear.

Two and a half years later, the dream became a reality. First published in 2002, Oodles of Doodles became a therapeutic activity book that gives hospitalized children a meaningful way to express their fears and concerns.

The book is testament to the power of collaboration: the first two printings of the book boasted the talents of 97 different artists who all contributed free of charge, including Mary Grand Pré of Harry Potter fame. Numerous printers and paper mills offered their products and services at reduced or pro bono rates to create this vibrant activity book.

Due to high demand, Art with Heart distributed 20,000 in the first three years, and then reprinted a smaller version in order to be sensitive to hospital’s postage and storage issues. The newer 48-page version is visually engaging and contains therapeutic benefits to the user. Through the magic of creativity and humor, the book transforms a difficult time back into what it should be – a childhood.

Demand was also great for a Spanish version, and in 2005, Art with Heart received funding that allowed us to translate and reprint the book in order to benefit hospitalized Hispanic Latino children.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The number of hospitalized children continues to overwhelm the available stock, so please consider purchasing a case of books on behalf of your favorite hospital at our online shop. Proceeds help Art with Heart continue to offer this book to under-served hospitals and clinics.