Brave Face Kids Books

09/04/2026

Kind kids don’t just happen. 💛

They’re shaped by the people, stories, and examples we put in their world.

Raising kind humans takes a village. We’re just happy to be a small part of it. 📚

08/19/2026

Back to school is the perfect time for a little reminder: be kind, be welcoming, and make room for everyone—no matter how different they may look. 💛

Ava is heading into her first day of 4th grade today, and watching her grow through her cleft journey and in life has taught us so much about courage, confidence, and compassion. We’ve always talked about looking beyond what we see and choosing kindness, and we hope she—and every kid—carries that with them this school year. 🫶

Be a buddy, not a bully. Celebrate differences. Every smile has a story. ✨

07/31/2026

07/20/2026

Smile Train asked: “What do you want the world to know about cleft lip and palate?” Ava really nailed it. 🩷 Cleft may look different — but the abilities, the joy, the beauty? All the same. She’s been saying it in her own way since she was little enough to inspire a book about it — turns out Ava the Brava had it right all along.

07/13/2026

I wrote a whole children’s book about being brave for moments like this one — and here she is, living it. A cleft diagnosis can feel so overwhelming at first, but it’s the bravery that ends up defining the story. 📖🩷 Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month reminder: bravery isn’t the absence of nerves, it’s showing up anyway.

06/21/2026

Today we celebrate the dads who teach bravery by living it. From everyday adventures to life’s biggest challenges, thank you for showing up with love, strength, and encouragement. Happy Father’s Day to all dads—and especially those helping their children face the world with courage.

06/12/2026

The social side of school has always been one of my biggest worries as a cleft parent.

Not the grades. Not the homework.

The friendships.
The belonging.
The feeling of being accepted exactly as you are.

So when my cleft-affected daughter burst into tears on the last day because she didn’t want this “amazing” school year to end, it eased fears I didn’t even realize I was still holding onto.

What a gift it is to watch your child feel so loved, so included, and so happy that they’re devastated it’s over. 💖

05/21/2026

It’s Cleft Awareness Week. This is what the journey looks like — and why awareness matters. 💜

04/30/2026

Learning when to speak for her—and when to step back—has changed everything. 🤍

04/24/2026

9 years in, and we’re starting a new phase of her cleft journey.

When she was a baby, we carried her through appointments and made every decision for her.
Now she walks in, asks questions, and understands what’s happening in her own body.

This season looks different—less about surgeries, more about growth, guidance, and long-term care.

We’re also stepping into a new chapter with a different orthodontic team after years with CHLA—because as she grows, her needs (and our choices) grow too.

Cleft care isn’t one moment. It grows with them.

And now, she’s growing right alongside it. 💛