Charissa Bates is an award-winning children’s author, children’s mental health therapist, and speaker who is passionate about helping families find joy through storytelling. She is the author of Cancer Messed with the Wrong Family and the beloved Traveling Book series, which celebrates community, kindness, and connection through Little Free Libraries. With years of experience working in schools, Bates brings an engaging, playful, and therapeutic approach to her presentations, blending movement, breathing, and laughter to connect with children and families. Her work encourages resilience, emotional awareness, and the simple joy found in everyday moments.