Portland Native Publishes Charitable Children's Book Inspired by His Beloved Family Dog

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David A. Brown, who grew up in Portland and still counts it as home, has published his first children's book — and it carries a story close to the heart of anyone who has ever loved a dog.

Ava's Mackinac Adventure is a children's picture book narrated by Ava, the Brown family's Yorkshire Terrier of fifteen years, who passed away this past spring. Written in the months after her loss, the book follows the curious little dog as she explores Mackinac Island — the ferry ride over, the horses and carriages, the fudge shops, Arch Rock, and the fireworks over the Straits — all through her eyes and her very busy nose.

"Ava had a personality far bigger than her tiny frame," Brown said. "I wrote this so that families who never got to meet her could still fall in love with her — and so a little bit of the joy she gave us could keep going."

The book also carries a charitable mission. A portion of every sale is donated to the Child and Family Life team at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and to animal welfare organizations, in honor of the comfort Ava brought to the Brown family during a difficult season years ago. The watercolor illustrations throughout the book were created from the family's own photographs of their real visits to Mackinac Island with Ava.

Brown has deep roots in the Portland community, and a number of local families and friends have already picked up copies. He published the book independently through his own imprint, David A. Brown Enterprises, and hopes to share Ava's story with even more hometown readers as the holiday season approaches.

Ava's Mackinac Adventure (hardcover, $21.99) is available at AdventuresWithAva.com, where readers can also find Ava's full story, a gallery of photographs spanning her fifteen years, and details about the charitable mission.

About the book:

Ava's Mackinac Adventure by David A. Brown · Adventures With Ava, Book One · Hardcover, full color, 24 pages · Ages 4–10 · ISBN 979-8-9964511-0-4 · A portion of proceeds benefits the Child and Family Life team at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and animal welfare organizations.