"How Kingston Got His Stripes" – a children’s book about bravery, differences, and rare disease.

Meet Kingston, a fun-loving five-year-old who adores dancing, singing, and playing with his dog. Kingston is just like any other kid—except he also lives with a rare disease called MCADD.

In "How Kingston Got His Stripes," young readers join Kingston as he shares what it’s like to grow up with a medical condition that makes him a little different - but also very special. With warmth, honesty, and playful illustrations, Kingston shows that challenges don’t define us. Instead, they give us our “stripes,” the unique qualities that make us who we are.

This picture book gently introduces children to themes of:

Celebrating differences – learning that everyone has something special that makes them unique.

Resilience and bravery – following Kingston’s journey through doctor visits, hospital stays, and finding comfort with family.

Kindness and inclusion – encouraging kids to support friends who may have different needs.

Perfect for ages 4–7, How Kingston Got His Stripes is ideal for families, classrooms, and anyone wanting to spark conversations about health, courage, and self-acceptance.

MCADD (medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency) is a rare genetic condition where a person has problems breaking down fat to use as an energy source.. This means that someone with MCADD can become very ill if their body's energy demands exceed their energy intake, such as during infections or vomiting illnesses when they're unable to eat.

Problems occur because fat is only partially broken down, which leads to a lack of energy and a build-up of harmful substances in the body. MCADD is a lifelong condition that's present from birth. It is usually picked up using the newborn blood spot test.

MCADD is a potentially serious condition that can be life-threatening if not recognized quickly and treated appropriately. However, most cases are picked up soon after birth and can be managed quite easily. With proper care, there's no reason why someone with MCADD cannot live a normal, healthy and active life.