 We Are Water Protectors By Carole Lindstrom Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption―a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade.  I Am Not A Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer When eight-year-old Irene is removed from her First Nations family to live in a residential school she is confused, frightened, and terribly homesick. She tries to remember who she is and where she came from, despite the efforts of the nuns who are in charge at the school and who tell her that she is not to use her own name but instead use the number they have assigned to her. When she goes home for summer holidays, Irene's parents decide never to send her and her brothers away again. But where will they hide? And what will happen when her parents disobey the law? Based on the life of co-author Jenny Kay Dupuis’ grandmother, I Am Not a Number is a hugely necessary book that brings a terrible part of Canada’s history to light in a way that children can learn from and relate to.  My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith Monique Gray Smith is of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish descent, and Julie Flett is Cree-Metis. In this collaboration, a little girl reflects on everything that makes her happy, from the sun on her cheeks to the smell of bannock baking in the oven. It’s a poetic and simple board book with gorgeous illustrations.  We All Play by Julie Flett From Julie Flett, the beloved author and illustrator of Birdsong, comes a joyous new book about playtime for babies, toddlers, and kids up to age 7. Animals and kids love to play! This wonderful book celebrates playtime and the connection between children and the natural world. Beautiful illustrations show: birds who chase and chirp! bears who wiggle and wobble! whales who swim and squirt! owls who peek and peep! and a diverse group of kids who love to do the same, shouting: We play too! / kimêtawânaw mîna At the end of the book, animals and children gently fall asleep after a fun day of playing outside, making this book a great bedtime story. A beautiful ode to the animals and humans we share our world with, We All Play belongs on every bookshelf. This book also includes: A glossary of Cree words for wild animals in the bookA pronunciation guide and link to audio pronunciation recordings  Stolen Words by Melanie Florance and Gabrielle Grimard
"This picture book explores the intergenerational impact of Canada's residential school system that separated Indigenous children from their families. The story recognizes the pain of those whose culture and language were taken from them, how that pain is passed down and shared through generations, and how healing can also be shared. Stolen Words captures the beautiful, healing relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. When she asks him how to say something in his language - Cree - her grandpa admits that his words were stolen from him when he was a boy. The little girl then sets out to help her grandfather regain his language."
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••• customized books with your child's name in it.
I've been meaning to share this for a while now. Since we've been at home this past week, we've had lots of time to sit together & read. One of our favourites is this @wonderbly book we made for Adam. We were able to customize it to include characters like Nonno Bear & Zio Jordan Bear. The book quality is absolutely amazing, & the way Adam lights up when he realises the characters are his family is just so worth it. There are so many different stories to choose from & characters to customize. You can also write a personalized message in the back - so so sweet. This is N O T a sponsored post, that would be great if it was lol! But you can use my name for $10 off your first book if you'd like. Type in "Kayla Hillier" at check out, & let us know which book you got! ••• this is a good one.
Recommended by my therapist, & commented on by many who have seen me reading it - it's a good read. Tough at times, breaks needed, but a good read. "Have you ever wondered "Why did I do that?" or "Why can't I just control my behavior?" Others may judge our reactions and think, "What's wrong with that person?" When questioning our emotions, it's easy to place the blame on ourselves; holding ourselves and those around us to an impossible standard. It's time we started asking a different question. Through deeply personal conversations, Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry offer a groundbreaking and profound shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”" ••• anyone who has experienced trauma (yes, seeing your child critically ill, on a ventilator, being poked & prodded, in an ICU, waiting during surgery, etc. all absolutely counts as trauma!) can & will relate to this book, & the conversations brought up within it. Tough to read at times, but so far very educational, informing, & inspiring. I'm not done yet, in fact I've just started... but definitely one worth recommending. Available on Amazon, Chapters/ Indigo, Barnes & Noble, probably wherever books are sold. Let me know what you think if you pick it up. Maybe we can start a Beyond the Beads Book Club (hah! Who has the time!?... Nice thought though!) ••• We introduced this book during Tube Feeding Awareness Week with a resource that's so perfect for all ages!
As educators, you know we love a good book! & The Abilities in Me books by Gemma Keir are such a wonderful series of books! They are super inclusive, gorgeously illustrated, & easy for kiddos to read, understand, & relate to. This week we're sharing the Tube Feeding book! Scroll to take a look at two pages of beautiful, relatable illustrations! I got my book on Amazon, where you can find the entire collection - including & not limited to CHD, Autism, Tracheostomy, Speech Delay... (link available in our stories). & Currently I'm working on getting all of them into my school's library as well! ••• Inclusion should not be limited to skin colour, race, ethnicity, gender... Different abilities should absolutely be celebrated as well! ••• Covid has become a part of our every day life, & kiddos have a lot of questions about what's happening, & why there are people wearing masks still. Ronnie Bear's Health Scare is the perfect book to read to children, addressing the c×vid-19 situation in the world right now, & the reasons as well as the importance of wearing a mask. This sweet, loveable bear will take your little ones on a safe, educational, appropriate adventure & help them learn about making safe, healthy choices. ••• we actually worked with the writers/ illustrator of Ronnie Bear's Health Scare, to share our input as educators, mamas, & medical parents/ child advocates. This book is available for purchase on Amazon & in Chapters Indigo locations! ••• this book is a personal favourite that quickly turned into a family favourite as well.
I grew up listening to my dad singing & playing 70s music, so when I heard that this Cat Stevens song was made into an illustrated book, I ordered it right away. It has such a beautiful message that can be interpreted many different ways. We all have peace in our hearts & want the world to be a happy, peaceful place. Let's join together & make it that way. Or, it could have a more #ChildLife approach to help children who are going through a tough time or experiencing loss or grief. However you choose to read it (or play the song & sing along) it has such beautiful illustrations to look at & enjoy. "Each of us has the power to imagine & dream."  wherever you are my love with find you |
our favourite booksHere we share our favourite children's books, while adding insight from our hospital experiences & providing perspective as educators. ArchivesCategories |
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