Children's book a 'validation' of special birthday
Leopold and his parents waited for his first birthday, Feb. 29, but it never seemed to come.
Finally, as his parents bring Leopold to his first check-up four years later, the wise doctor figures out why the seasons continue to pass without any recognition of his special day.
Leopold has a Leap Year birthday.
Libertyville author Dawn Desjardins tells the story of a young frog who comes to understand his unique birthday in her second book, "Leopold's Long Awaited Leap Year Birthday."
During a school visit to promote her first book, an assistant principal suggested to her the need for a picture book about Leap Year. Desjardins said Leap Year became a great interest.
"Imagine having a birthday that is not on the official calendar three out of four years," she said. "Imagine being 4, but really only 1."
Desjardins said while fun, she also wanted the 32-page book to be educational. She recalled as a child reading a story that a year is 365 ¼ days long and asked what is a quarter of a day.
"I wondered how would I best describe this to a child," she said. "I realized that would be for a child to live it with Leopold."
Since the release of the book on Feb. 1, Desjardins said many people have shared stories with her.
"People usually delight to share they have a family member or friend born on that day," she said. "There is a famous quality to people who have their birthday, and people want to tell you about knowing them."
A retired teacher who volunteers in a school library shared the story of twin girls at her school. One was born Feb. 28 and the other Feb. 29.
"Recently, I heard that my beloved grandmother had just missed being a leap year baby by minutes exactly 100 years ago this Feb. 28," she said.
While Desjardins said she wrote the book for children, it is surprising how many adults enjoy it, too.
"I have signed so many copies for someone who is celebrating a fifth birthday but is turning 20," she said.
Desjardins said people have come to embrace the book. There is the delight and uniqueness of the day.
But she adds celebrating a birthday on Feb. 29 but not having their birthday on the calendar each year also can be troubling, particularly for a child. The book for some parents has become a form of explanation and validation.
"I get a sense of gratitude for being validated," she said. "That's been a big surprise with this book."
Desjardins will read from her books and meet families Friday at "An Evening with Lake County Authors" from 5:30 to 8 p.m. today.
The program will take place at the Lake County Discovery Museum on Route 176 west of Fairfield Road in Wauconda.
About the book
Title: Leopold's Long Awaited Leap Year Birthday
Cost: $22.95
Publisher: Artistic Ventures Publishing
Where to buy: www.artistic-ventures.com or retail stores
Some Leap Year Day facts
• There are about 200,000 Leap Year Day babies in the U.S.
• Worldwide, there are about 4 million
• Sadie Hawkins Day and Leap Year Day are not the same
• Famous Leap Year Day babies include Jimmy Dorsey (saxophonist) in 1904, Dee Alexander Brown II (author of "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee) in 1904, Dinah Shore (talk show host) in 1916, Dennis Farina (actor) in 1944 and Ja Rule (rapper) in 1976.
Source: www.leapyearday.com