Guest Blogger, Krystal Wallick, Author of Ari The Brave
About The Book
Ari overcomes his hospital stay.
When a little boy is hospital-bound, he gets through the scary time with his adventurous spirit and wild imagination. A hospital turns into a jungle with young Ari battling rhinos and octopuses in this wonderful tale of courage and empowerment.
The Inspiration Behind the Book
In June 2020, I had my third child, right at the height of COVID. Things were scary already, my older daughters were home from school and I was laid off from my job. Then my son’s lungs collapsed during his delivery. We almost lost him. It was the scariest time of my life. I wasn’t allowed to hold him or touch him, so I sat at his bedside daydreaming. At one point I took out my phone and began writing imaginary stories of my son being on adventures, instead of being in the hospital. Some days he was doing ok and having fun and other days, he battling something really scary. After 14 days in the NICU, we were discharged with a healthy boy. I realized how therapeutic the writing had been for me and that these stories of bravery could help other families going through similar challenges. I set out to publish the children’s books and released the first one this past August. Since then, we have sold over 300 books and donated over 125 books to children’s hospitals and NICUs all over the world!
While Ari’s story takes place in the hospital, challenges come in all different shapes and sizes. Nightmares, social anxiety, bumps, and bruises can seem almost insurmountable when viewed from their perspective. With imagination and bravery, any battle can be won. That is the message that children will get from the Ari the Brave books. This book is perfect for NICU families, medically fragile families, pediatric healthcare professionals/ child life specialists, or anybody preparing for an upcoming surgery or hospital stay. I received feedback that moms were even reading this to their children to prepare for regular doctor visits, blood draws and getting stitches.
Where to Purchase
You can purchase the books www.arithebrave.com. For the month of October, you can receive 10% off any of your orders, by using code CHILDLIFEMOMMY. All books will be personally signed by the author!
Be sure to follow Krystal on Instagram and Facebook as she continues to expand her library of resources for children and families.
We will be giving away 1 signed book to one lucky Child Life Mommy fan AND donating 1 to a children’s hospital of the winner’s choice.
Choose one or more ways to enter:
- Sign up for email notifications at ChildLifeMommy.com and leave a comment below.
- Facebook: Follow Child Life Mommy and tag two friends.
- Facebook: Follow Krystal Wallick Author and leave a comment.
- Instagram: Follow @ChildLifeMommy and @Krystal_Wallick_Author tag two friends in the post.
- Twitter: Follow, Like, and RT the post to @ChildLifeMommy
Good luck, the winner will be chosen by 10/9/21. Open to U.S. residents.
