The Story Behind the Story

This book didn’t start as a book. It started as a pattern—a pattern of trying to fix everything, of staying longer than I should have, of believing that if I just tried a little harder, cared a little more, or gave more of myself, things would finally feel right.

But they didn’t.

And somewhere along the way, I realized something that changed everything: not everything is yours to fix.

Not Every Boat Is Yours to Fix was born from that realization—from the quiet, often painful moments of learning boundaries, unlearning what I thought love was, and discovering what it actually means to choose yourself. This story is written for children—to give them language and awareness earlier than many of us had—but it’s also written for the adults reading it, for the ones who see themselves in the pages, who have ever overgiven, overextended, or lost themselves trying to hold everything together. If that’s you… this story was always meant to find you.

About the Author

Karim Aboud is an artist, storyteller, and first-time author whose work is rooted in emotion, resilience, and truth. With a background in visual art and a passion for storytelling, she has spent years creating pieces that explore identity, love, and the human experience. Her journey into writing began after the unimaginable loss of her daughter—an experience that reshaped her perspective on life, boundaries, and what it truly means to love without losing yourself.

Not Every Boat Is Yours to Fix is her first children’s book, created as both a gentle guide for young readers and a deeper reflection for the adults who share it with them. Through her work, Karim hopes to inspire children to understand their worth early, and to remind women everywhere that choosing themselves is not selfish—it’s necessary.

About the Illustrator

Alejandra Estefanía is a multidisciplinary artist and creative director based in Miami, recognized for her surreal, spiritually infused visual language and emotionally charged work layered with rich symbolism. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, her practice explores the intersection of inner transformation, human experience, and spiritual exploration—crafting immersive visual narratives that transcend the physical and invite deeper states of awareness and connection. Her work has been commissioned and collaborated on by global brands including Nike and Disney, and has been featured in Forbes. She has created large-scale installations for the Miami Heat and was honored as Artist of the Year at Carnival Miami. In recognition of her cultural impact, the Ecuadorian Consulate named her as an artist representing her country, while Columbia University has acknowledged her as a faith-based leader within her field—positioning her at the forefront of a new wave of spiritually conscious contemporary art.