Family Literacy Day is celebrated every year on January 27 in Canada. A number of Lansdowne Children’s Centre staff have offered suggestions of titles you might want to check out for Family Literacy Day (Literacy Week) or any other day of the year. Many of these are available to borrow from your local library branch. Happy reading!
A Boy Called Bat, by Elana K. Arnold – It is about a boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it provides an authentic representation of Autism and meaningful themes such as kindness, empathy, acceptance.
Laura Bishop, Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant
An Emotion Called Grief, by Heather Eimers – A heartwarming story to help children understand and cope with grief.
Melissa Petkau, Registered Early Childhood Educator, Resource Consultant, Autism Therapist
Any decodable books – In particular, we have purchased chapter books from Cigdem Knebel; Sam Is Stuck is the first one of the chapter books we read of hers. At the time, all of my daughter’s friends were reading chapter books, but she was unable to do so and feeling very upset about it. We got some of this author’s books and started with reading Sam Is Stuck. She was able to read the entire book herself. It was a huge step in her confidence and desire to move forward in reading. Recently, we passed that book on to another girl who is about the same age as my daughter and also dyslexic. She said she couldn’t read the book, but was encouraged to try and when she got a few pages in, her whole mood changed when she realized she could read it. It was also her first time reading a chapter book on her own.
Karen Gibson, Speech Language Pathologist
Educational show: Bamboo Loves Parasports, TVO Kids: Follow Bamboo the Panda as they learn about and try different parasports.
Shannon Harvey, Occupational Therapist
Eragon, by Christopher Paolini – There are four books in the series called Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance). While older books, they were a fresh approach on a classic story of a boy on a farm who discovers a coveted power (in this case, a dragon egg) and must adventure from home when an evil king sends his minions to claim it.
Kayle Trapp, Autism Therapist with AIP
The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green – Inspired by the author’s real-life friend, Esther, who passed away from cancer at age 16, this book tells the story of two teenagers who both have cancer – one terminal. The author explores their friendship, their love for one another, their fears of dying and the reliance they have on one another that gives them strength to face their journey together, and ultimately alone. A thought-provoking tearjerker.
Deb Molenaar, Respite Services Administrative Assistant,
AlayaCare SA.
Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt – This book is about a girl named Ally who is struggling at school and in the end, has a wonderful teacher who helps her understand she has dyslexia. This book was important to us, as my daughter’s name is also Ally and we were reading this book together at the time she got diagnosed with dyslexia, so she really resonated with the story.
Karen Gibson, Speech Language Pathologist
House Rules, by Jodi Picoult – It is about a boy on the Autism Spectrum who is accused of murder, and how the legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way.
Shannon Campbell, Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant
I Can, Too! by Karen Autio – This story follows two little girls as they enter kindergarten. The girls love to do all of the same things, with one friend using different equipment to enable her to participate. The book features many pieces of equipment discussed in occupational therapy and physiotherapy sessions (e.g. wheelchair, standing frame, and adapted sport).
Shannon Harvey, Occupational Therapist
Lemon the Duck, by Laura Backman – When the duck eggs hatch in a class’ incubator, one of the ducklings isn’t moving like the others. The students recognize that all ducks love to muck around in the grass and eat worms, and problem solve how to support Lemon in joining his duck friends in what they all love to do.
Shannon Harvey, Occupational Therapist
Little Tree, by Loren Long – A beautifully yet simply illustrated book about a little tree’s experience with change and letting go.
Sarah Willson, Developmental/Resource Consultant
Mount Fuji Has Free WiFi, by Lacey L. Bakker – In this picture book, Yuna is travelling to Japan’s Mount Fuji with her family. But will she miss out on this incredible trip because she’s too focused on her phone?
Tamara Botting, Communications Coordinator
Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet, by Hannah Ritchie – I’m a data nerd, so the tag under the author's name on the book jacket also grabbed me: Deputy Editor, and Lead Researcher at Our World in Data. The author was named Scotland’s Youth Climate Champion in 2022, so I was keen to buy this data-driven book after a 2023 trip to Scotland, at a time when I wanted my kids to consider that environmental optimism was possible.
Rita-Marie Hadley, Executive Director
See Me for Me, by Dana Geall – This book is intended to help educators and parents start important dialogues about inclusion and empathy, when a child first meets someone with a disability. I have a personal connection to this book, since Dana was a childhood friend of mine, and she has 17-year-old triplets who all have Cerebral Palsy.
Nicole Crone, Occupational Therapist
Silly Sally, by Audrey Wood- Come along and join Silly Sally and her funny friends as they parade into town in a most unusual way. My son loved this story and we read it 1,000+ times. It is fun, with great illustrations and the story is predictable, so children anticipate and chant along with it. So many giggles and laughs. I read this with my grandchildren now.
Sandi Gairns, Manager – Early Intervention Program
That’s not my (fill in the blank)… book series, by Fiona Watt - These Usborne touchy-feely books are my favorite to read with kids. They are colourful, engaging books that use lots of great describing words!
Grace DeKoning, Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) in the Preschool Speech and Language Program
Tuesday, by David Wiesner – A fantasy picture book starring a group of frogs that features no words. This allows kiddos and caregivers to create their own story to go along with the images, and it can change every time you read it!
Jillian French, Autism Therapist
This Was Our Pact, by Ryan Andrews – This graphic novel has fantastic illustrations and an engaging story, which centres around a group of boys following the lanterns released by their town during its annual Autumn Equinox Festival, following the lights wherever they might lead.
Tamara Botting, Communications Coordinator
Up, Up, Down, by Robert Munsch – This is my famous family story. Anna, the main character in the story, is actually my cousin!
Alissa Shuker, Manager of Quality, Continuous Improvement and the SmartStart Hub
When Spring Comes, by Kevin Henkes – It is a beautifully illustrated book, that can spark rich conversation with children about the changing seasons, the natural world around them, and the beauty of waiting for a new season. (Read alouds are available online)
Sue Lentz, Therapy Assistant - Occupational, Physiotherapy Department
When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left, by Marc Colagiovanni – A story that illustrates the power of choice, perseverance and creating your own path. It serves as a helpful reminder that we do not have to let our worries, doubts or frustrations take control.
Jillian French, Autism Therapist
Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation, by Murray Sinclair – This memoir asks some important questions that we as individuals and as a nation need to reflect upon. What resonated with me most in this book is Murray’s love of family; the conversations he has with his children, grandchildren and those he saw as family. As he says, “My real desire for my children and grandchildren – and all children – is that they make the world a better place.”
Rosemarie Press, Campaign Associate, Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation
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