With so much uncertainty in the modern world, more children than ever before are grappling with complex emotions and confusing mental illnesses. Unfortunately, many of them lack a mentor to guide them through this difficult journey. Vladimir Sainte recognized this and has dedicated his career to giving children the helping hand they have always needed. Join us as we look deeper into Vladimir’s work in child therapy and his transformative Just Like a Hero series.
About Vladimir Sainte
Vladimir Sainte was born and raised in Queens, New York, to Haitian immigrant parents. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience and has significantly contributed to the Kansas City community as a child therapist and children’s book author. In 2022, Mr. Sainte won Best Local Author from The Pitch magazine for his efforts to promote emotional literacy among young children. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Drawing on his experience, he now writes and illustrates children’s books that convey messages of resilience and hope. His first book, Just Like a Hero, was featured in a video by KCPT (Kansas City PBS), and he has conducted numerous author visits at schools throughout the area. He hopes to share his stories with children nationwide.
Thank you, Vladimir. Let’s get started!
Please introduce yourself and tell us about how you became a children’s author alongside being a therapist.
My name is Vladimir Sainte, and I am a licensed clinical social worker. My journey began during my final year as an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where I majored in sociology. I was determined to pursue a master’s degree, though I wasn’t yet sure in which field. Everything changed when I enrolled in an introductory social work course.
On the first day of class, the professor entered wearing cargo shorts, a Green Lantern belt, and a Hawaiian shirt. He shared stories about his career as a child therapist and his experiences in the field of social work. His words struck a chord with me — I felt as though he was describing my future. I have always been passionate about helping others and have held on to a refusal to completely grow up, so becoming a child therapist felt like the perfect path.
After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in sociology, I pursued a Master’s in Social Work and began my career in service. In 2018, I was working with a young Black child who was struggling with overwhelming emotions. I’ve always been a fan of bibliotherapy, which involves using books with therapeutic content that clients can connect with. I wanted to find a book featuring a character who looked like me and my client — someone who was navigating mental health challenges but could eventually see themselves as a hero.
After countless Google searches, I realized there wasn’t a book that met those criteria. That’s when I decided to combine my two passions: mental health and art. This led to the creation of Just Like a Hero.
Being a biracial father, how does this influence your approach to diversity and inclusion in your professional life?
My mission is to normalize mental health conversations in a non-judgmental and inclusive way. The diverse characters in the Just Like a Hero series represent more than just individual experiences; they also navigate mental health challenges unique to their cultures and backgrounds.
The stories aim to highlight that struggles and triumphs are universal, transcending gender, race, and ability. By showcasing this diversity, the series reinforces the idea that mental health is a shared human experience and understanding it can help bring people closer together.
How do you approach the process of writing for children? Where are you drawing your inspiration from?
Throughout my career as a therapist, I have worked with children who have struggled to recognize their own worth. They are the inspiration behind the characters and stories in my work. It has always been important to me to create illustrations that children can see themselves in — images that reflect their experiences and identities.
What message do you hope to convey to your young readers?
I hope to convey with my stories that often children need a reminder of how important they really are. When we treat each other (and ourselves) with dignity and respect, it helps the world turn a little easier. Everyone has the potential for greatness — it just takes a little love, nurturing support, and seeing yourself as a hero.
How do your heritages shape the stories you tell and the characters you create?
As a first-generation Haitian American, mental health conversations were not common in my family when I was growing up. This experience influenced how I approached creating my characters. I wanted each of them to feel comfortable discussing their big, heavy feelings with a trusted adult.
In my view, destigmatization begins with normalization. By portraying open and honest conversations about mental health, I hope to inspire both children and adults to approach these topics without fear or judgment.
What is a children’s book that every parent should have for their kid?
I’ve always been a big fan of Jo Witek and Christine Roussey’s In My Heart. I’ve used it countless times during my years as a child therapist. I love the playful, child-like illustrations and the way the book explores a full range of emotions. It’s a wonderful resource for fostering emotional literacy in kids, and it aligns beautifully with my own goals as a creator and therapist.
If you could give one piece of advice to BIPOC authors who want to explore social issues through storytelling, what would that be?
The first thing that comes to mind is: Know your why. As cliché as it may sound, your passion is the vehicle that drives your story. Understanding your “why” will also help guide you back to your path if you ever find yourself taking a detour — and trust me, I’ve had to take a few detours along the way.
For instance, I initially thought I would stop after writing three books. What brought me back was a young reader who asked why a specific bully appeared in two separate books. This child wanted to know the bully’s story. That moment reminded me of my goal to promote empathy and understanding through my work. It was then that I knew I had to tell the bully’s story, which became my fourth book, Waves of Hurt.
What’s next? Do you have any upcoming books or projects that you’re excited about?
I’m currently working on a graphic novel that will feature my characters as teenagers. While my previous series is tailored for a younger audience, this new project aims to expand on my characters’ lives and continue the conversation about mental health with a slightly older age group.
As with my previous books, this graphic novel will include tools, strategies, and positive outcomes designed to empower teens to navigate their own emotional landscapes. My hope is to provide meaningful and inclusive stories that resonate with them and encourage open, healthy discussions about mental health.
Thank you to Vladimir for sharing his wisdom with us! We hope his words have inspired you to look for your own mental health superpowers. Keep an eye out for Vladimir’s upcoming graphic novel, and share his Just Like a Hero series with the children in your life.
Be sure to follow Vladimir on his socials!
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Discover similar titles in our Children’s Books That Promote Mental Health bookshelf on Bookshop.
