Welcome to the World Warrior (Welcome to the World, Warrior! Adventures of Reeta Beeta living with Sickle Cell) Hardcover – September 1, 2025

“Welcome to the World, Warrior" is a heartfelt, empowering children's book about **Reeta Beeta**, a joyful 7-year-old African American girl with sickle cell anemia (SCA)/ sickle beta thalassemia zero who also chooses to be "bloodless". While Reeta loves dancing, drawing, and playing with her two older brothers and baby brother, she often feels alone when painful "crises" strike—making her the only one in her family who gets rushed to the hospital. In this series, Reeta learns to speak up and advocate for her health, even when it goes against the popular treatment, proving that one size does not fit all.Through vibrant illustrations and gentle storytelling, the book:- Celebrates Reeta’s resilience (calling her a **"Warrior"**).- Explains SCA in kid-friendly terms (e.g., "Sometimes her red blood cells get stuck like puzzle pieces").- Shows her family’s love and support (e.g., her brothers make her laugh during IV treatments).- Introduces Reeta's service dog Joelle and emotional support cat Jesmyna as her essential sidekicks.- Normalizes her emotions (frustration, loneliness, bravery).- Ends with a **"Warrior Pledge"**—reminding Reeta (and readers) they’re never defined by their illness.Includes resources for parents to conduct genetic screening, how to prepare children to talk about their symptoms, signs to recognize anemia and pain in children, and what sickle cell trait carriers should know. Read more