About the Book
“Hi! I’m Kai!” was created with love to empower young readers, especially those with hearing loss, by depicting relatable feelings and experiences through the journey of a child who wears cochlear implants. The story aims to foster empathy and understanding by illustrating how Kai navigates the challenges of starting a new school, not just in relation to his hearing loss, but also in building friendships and overcoming anxiety. By incorporating the practice of breathing techniques, the story encourages children to acknowledge and manage their big feelings effectively.
Ultimately, the book serves as a valuable tool for children aged 4-7 to understand themselves and others, promoting inclusivity, resilience, and the importance of connection while overcoming fears.
Meet the Author
Christina Roberts is a licensed mental health counselor and a proud mother of two wonderful boys. Among them is Kai, who is profoundly deaf in both ears. Through her journey of parenting a child with hearing loss, Christina has experienced both the challenges and the triumphs that come with it. This personal journey ignited her passion for building community and supporting other families navigating their child’s hearing loss experience.
In addition to her writing, Christina loves spending quality time with her family. Whether its reading stories together, going on a mini adventure, or simply enjoying laughter-filled days at home, spending time with my boys inspire me daily. I’m excited to share this journey with you and hope my book resonates with your family and just as much as it does with mine! I hope to contribute to creating space in the world where children with hearing loss see themselves reflected in stories, feeling represented and celebrated.
Meet the Inspiration
Kai is an incredibly loving, resilient, and imaginative boy with a natural curiosity about his surroundings. His infectious charm and vibrant spirit draw people to him. Despite the challenges he encounters, he consistently shines with a joyful smile. At just 7 months old, Kai faced profound hearing loss due to bacterial meningitis. To regain his hearing, he underwent surgery for cochlear implants just weeks shy of his first birthday. Since then, he has been actively engaged in speech therapy, and now at 7 years old, he continues to make remarkable strides.
Kai has a passion for reading, a love for math and video games, and enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends. Regardless of the circumstances he faces, he maintains an uplifting demeanor and perseveres through any obstacles. Kai is my real-life superhero, and I couldn’t be prouder of all he has achieved.
