Hi, I’m Kelsey Rose Walsh
Children have always been at the heart of everything I do.
For more than ten years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside children with a wide range of abilities, personalities, and unique ways of experiencing the world.
From coaching inclusive summer sports camps to supporting children with physical and developmental disabilities, each experience has reinforced one simple truth: Every child deserves to feel safe, understood, respected, and celebrated.
One of the experiences that shaped me most began when I was fourteen years old, when I became a caregiver for a young boy with autism. Over the next several years, I learned firsthand that meaningful connection comes from understanding each child’s individual needs, communication style, and comfort level. Those lessons continue to inspire every story I write.
Through my books, I hope to help families start important conversations about kindness, empathy, body autonomy, inclusion, and emotional well-being—using stories children genuinely enjoy.
Whether you’re reading together at bedtime, sharing a book in the classroom, or using stories during therapy sessions, my goal is simple: To create books that help children grow into compassionate, confident people who respect themselves and others.
Where This Story Began
Long before Mia learned about hugs, someone special taught me the joy of saying hello.
My dad can say “hello,” “goodbye,” and “thank you” in more than 20 different languages. But what always amazed me wasn’t how many languages he knew—it was how naturally he made every person feel seen, welcomed, and valued.
Growing up, I watched him greet neighbors, strangers, coworkers, and friends with genuine warmth and curiosity. He showed me that a simple hello has the power to brighten someone’s day, open a conversation, build a friendship, and remind people that they matter.
As I spent more than a decade working with children of all abilities—including children with physical disabilities, developmental differences, and autism—I came to appreciate another important truth:
Not everyone wants to say hello in the same way.
Some children love hugs.
Some prefer a wave.
Some smile.
Some high-five.
Some need a little extra space before they’re ready to connect.
And every one of those greetings deserves to be respected.
That’s where Mia Loves Hugs, But Not Everyone Does was born.
This story combines two lessons that have shaped my life: the importance of reaching out with kindness, and the importance of respecting another person’s boundaries.
Because the best way to say hello isn’t our favorite way—
It’s the way that helps someone else feel safe, respected, and loved.
I hope Mia inspires children and families to discover that every kind hello can be the beginning of something beautiful.
— Kelsey Rose Walsh