Tillie Explains

⭐Tillie Explains: Having a Kidney Transplant

A gentle, reassuring guide to help children understand kidney transplants - created especially for families affected by Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome (BORS).

When a child needs a kidney transplant, the experience can feel confusing and overwhelming. Children may have questions about dialysis, surgery, healing, and medicines - and parents may struggle to explain it all in a way that feels safe and comforting. Tillie Explains: Having a Kidney Transplant was created to make that journey easier, softer, and more understandable for young children and their families.

With friendly illustrations and simple, carefully chosen words, Tillie the Dog guides children through every step of the transplant journey. She explains what kidneys do, why some kids need extra help, what happens in hospital, how surgery works, and what recovery looks like - all in a warm, supportive tone that helps children feel brave and reassured.

This book is especially helpful for children with Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome (BORS), a rare condition where kidney changes can be part of their health story. Whether a child is preparing for a transplant, recovering, or simply trying to understand their body, Tillie offers honesty, encouragement, and hope.

• What kidneys do and why we need them
• Why some children with BORS need kidney support
• What kidney failure means
• The two types of dialysis - explained simply
• What happens before transplant day
• What to expect during surgery
• How the body heals afterwards
• Why anti-rejection medicines are important
• How to stay healthy with a suppressed immune system
• Ways to feel confident, supported, and strong

Families, teachers, hospitals, and allied health professionals can use this book to open conversations, ease fears, and support children through big emotions. Its calm, friendly approach makes it ideal for early readers, picture-book reading time, and educational settings.

✔ Children with Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome (BORS)
✔ Kids preparing for a kidney transplant
✔ Siblings who want to understand what's happening
✔ Classrooms, counsellors, social workers, and child-life specialists
✔ Paediatric hospitals, clinics, and support groups
✔ Families wanting a gentle, honest way to explain medical care

More than a medical story, this book is a companion. It validates children's feelings, answers their questions with kindness, and helps them see themselves as strong, capable, and surrounded by people who care.

The Tillie Explains™ books help children understand their health, feelings, and medical experiences with warmth, clarity, and care - including Tillie Explains: What is BORS, Tillie Explains: Oto Means Ears, and more titles designed to support children with rare conditions.

You are strong. You are brave. You are important.
And you never have to face this journey alone.

© 2025 Fiona Cain. All rights reserved. Published by the BORS Education Centre™. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission. Protected under the Berne Convention. Legal action will be taken against unauthorised copying.