Addie Kate Keller, a 3rd-grader at Owensboro Catholic Elementary School, has battled dyslexia for much of her young life. Rather than viewing it as a disability, she’s used it as an inspiration to create a book that helps children process their emotions.
Keller said it could be difficult for children to process their emotions when they feel different and defeated. The book is titled Project YOUth and is full of strategies to help young people overcome the many challenges they face.
“Project YOUth is full of pages to share your feelings,” Keller said. “You can draw what you’re thinking, which helps me. Drawing can make hard things fun. It’s good to get things out, but writing for me (because I’m dyslexic) can be frustrating.”
Keller inherited much of her work ethic and her desire to help others from her mother, Jennifer, who recently published a book of her own titled Project YOU. That book is a 90-day guide that Jennifer created to help women develop and sustain a routine with positive behaviors and habits.
“My mom inspired me to write the book because she was trying hard with her book,” Keller said. “At times, I wanted to give up, but my mom helped me and motivated me not to give up. I saw her helping people, and I wanted to do that too.”
Keller said her primary aspiration for the book is to help other kids by making things more fun for them. She hopes to sell out of every copy she has printed.
Both books are available for purchase at RedBirdPress.net. Search @RedBirdPress on Instagram to learn more about the books.
Keller has a message to readers or anyone facing their struggles head-on: You are not alone.
“We all have things we are working through,” she said. “It’s good to write or draw or talk to someone about the things you are going through. Always be kind. Always help each other.”
