Utah native's first children's book brings adoption to life in heartfelt story

[2025/8/17] by KSL.com

SALT LAKE CITY — For Utah native Jeff Dunn, the journey to becoming an author wasn't just about writing a children's book; it was about sharing a piece of his heart.

As the father of two adopted children, Dunn's experience with adoption has shaped his entire worldview, and his debut children's book, "Buffalo Out of Water," is a direct reflection of that.

The book tells the story of Wade, a young water buffalo who's raised by American buffalo and feels like an outsider in his own family. While the concept of a water buffalo raised by a different kind of buffalo might seem whimsical at first, Dunn's story gently introduces young readers to the very real and often complex feelings that accompany adoption.

The now Richmond, Virginia-based writer said inspiration for "Buffalo Out of Water" didn't come from a single moment of "I need to write a children's book about adoption." Instead, Dunn said it started much simpler: "I just wanted to write a children's book," he admits.

"One day, I had this idea of a water buffalo raised by American buffalo, and I liked it. The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized it could be a way to introduce kids to adoption."

What started as a lighthearted, rhyming story, however, soon evolved into something much deeper. "That tone didn't feel right for such a sensitive topic like adoption," Dunn says. "I ended up tossing the first version and started over, crafting a more thoughtful approach that was a better fit for the subject."

The book wasn't just a creative project for Dunn; it was personal. His own experience with adoption, which began with the birth of his daughter Madison in 2011, took on new significance when his son Zach was born with a rare genetic syndrome called Treacher Collins in 2013.

"When my wife and I found out we were carriers, we decided to continue building our family through adoption," Dunn explains.

Dunn and his wife, Whitney, have two more sons, William and Quintin, who became part of their family through adoption. As they grew, Dunn realized that writing a book about adoption was not just important for his own children; it was something he wanted to share with the world.

While Dunn's children were young when he began working on the book, his research and conversations with adult adoptees shaped the themes that run through "Buffalo Out of Water."

"I wrote it as a kind of forerunner," he says, reflecting on the anticipation of his sons' future experiences with adoption. "I wanted to understand and articulate the feelings my kids may face as they grow up in an adoptive family."

The book's messages go beyond simply telling an adoption story. Dunn hopes children and parents alike will walk away with a deeper understanding of adoption and each other.

"I hope this book reminds kids that there are all kinds of people and families out there," he says. "It's important to have empathy and understanding for others, especially those who are different from you. And I hope it sparks conversations that help kids see life from different perspectives."

Creating "Buffalo Out of Water" was an emotional and lengthy process. "It took me several years just to commit to writing it," Dunn confesses. "I had a lot of self-doubt. Once I started, there were endless rounds of revisions and refinements. It felt like I was always tweaking something."

Picking the right illustrator was another crucial part of the process, one that wasn't taken lightly. "I had several illustrators send me treatments of the main character, Wade. Ultimately, I chose Nikola Aronova, a Slovakian illustrator. Her style, with its use of color and human-centered approach, just felt right for the story."

But the journey didn't stop there. The book's Kickstarter campaign, which was launched to fund its creation, proved to be a major turning point. What Jeff expected to be a slow build turned into an incredible success. In just two weeks, the campaign raised over $15,000.

"It was amazing to see that kind of support," Dunn recalls. "Along with family and friends, we had total strangers supporting the project. Some even reached out to share their personal adoption stories. I learned that so many people were connected to adoption in ways I didn't even know."

The campaign's success also brought recognition from Kickstarter itself, which named "Buffalo Out of Water" "A Project We Love."

"I was really surprised and humbled," Dunn says. "Kickstarter helped so many independent creators like myself, and to be recognized by them meant a lot."

The most meaningful response, however, came from the adoptee community. "When adoptees reach out to say they can relate to Wade's journey, that's when it really hits home for me," Dunn explains. "That's what this book is about: helping kids understand that adoption is a part of many people's stories."

As for the future, Dunn is already looking ahead to his next project. "I've found my passion for telling stories that matter, and I'm excited to keep going," he says. His next book will focus on kids who have facial differences, inspired by his own son Zach. "It's something that's close to my heart, and I can't wait to bring it to life."

 News from: KSL