But why? A podcast for curious kids is known for serious answers to silly questions sent

in by kids just like you. But did you know that but why is now a book series?

Our first book, Our Lama's Ticklish, answers questions from real kids about farm animals.

This colorfully illustrated book is perfect for kids ages 8 to 10. And our second book,

To Fish Breathe Underwater, explores the underwater world of the ocean. Learn more at

at thebykids.org slash books.

This is But Why, a podcast for curious kids. I'm Jane Lindholm and we make this show at Vermont Public Radio.

In our last episode, we answered questions about hearts with pediatric cardiologist Dr. Jane

Croson. Her job is to help kids who have problems with their hearts get better. After that

episode aired, we got a note from a kid who has a lot of experience with doctors like Dr. Croson.

I'm Ethan and I'm the user and I have heterotaxy.

Ethan Chandra lives in middle sex New Jersey with his mother and his father and his older sister Zoe who's five.

My brother's heart is very special because it wasn't pumping normally what he was born and now he has a special battery to help him.

As Zoe just explained, Ethan's heart wasn't working quite right when he was born. You may not ever have heard the word

Ethan said to describe his condition. I have heterotaxy.

heterotaxy.

hetero means different and taxi means order or arrangement.

heterotaxy is when someone's organs aren't in the right place or lined up exactly the way they're supposed to be.

Sometimes doctors know that a baby has heterotaxy before the baby is born but sometimes it's not discovered until after the baby is born.

Usually children born with heterotaxy have problems with their hearts and they often need heart surgery.

Sometimes they need to have surgery more than once to fix the problems with their hearts.

Ethan has had surgery five times. That's a lot for a three year old to go through and he's just about to have another surgery.

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