New Books for the Children!!!
Read about Staff Favourites
We're very excited about the new books we were able to purchase for the children at Kimbourne and Terry Fox! Last fall, two of our staff attended the Power of Play conference hosted by FRP Canada and came away with ideas for programming around social justice, identity and self love. The staff got together to make a list of great books to support these program themes. Look for these on our shelves at both sites and check out staff favourites below! We'd love to hear of more book titles you'd like to see on our shelves. Please send us a quick reply about your favourite children's books.
Lisa's Favourite: EVERY LITTLE THING based on the song "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley
The classic Reggae song comes to life in this revamped version telling us that Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright. Two new child-specific verses are added, which emphasize care, belonging and reminding us that it's OK to make mistakes.

Although the beautiful illustrations depict children of different backgrounds, the story centres a young boy and his supportive family whose Afro-Caribbean culture is seen throughout their home; their personal style; and their family-centred and free-spirited nature.
This uplifting book will appeal to adults and children alike, and may introduce some to Bob Marley and his powerful reggae music, spreading messages of peace, love and unity in Jamaica and all around the world.
Rashida's Favourite: SWIMMY
Swimmy is a beautifully illustrated tale of a unique little fish who learns and grows in the face of adversity. The story will not only fascinate its young readers with its eye-catching art work, it will also inspire a sense of adventure, confidence and innovation.

This is a simple and straightforward tale about cooperation and team work. Written over 40 year ago by award-winning author Lea Lionni, Swimmy is sure to be a classic for a new generation of children.

Mina's Favourite: The Boy & The Bindi by Vivek Shraya and Illustrated by Rajni Perera
“It’s a bindi, not a spot”

There are very few words to express the sort of magic conveyed in The Boy & The Bindi. I not only enjoyed the story, but felt that the illustrations in this book were an absolute experience.
As someone from a South Asian background, reading this book reminded me of my late father, his gentle spirit and his love for beauty and creativity that showed me that masculinity does not need to be centered or favoured. The Boy & The Bindi portrays a young child and their loving mother who facilitates a connection to beauty that is greater than the body and allows for the child to recognize a place within themselves that transcends worldly fears and limitations into possibilities that are ethereal.

Reading this book with the children you care for allows for them to be exposed to narratives outside of dominant ideas surrounding gender, race, ability, sexuality, play and imagination. Inspired by her own experiences, Shraya shows us how our respective identities and contexts can be celebrated.
Anna's Favourite: Lola at the Library
This book is a story about Lola and her mommy who go on a trip to the library. At the library, Lola checks-in her books, picks new books and checks them out. She also enjoys song time and story time at the Library.
This story introduces kids to the process of borrowing and returning books, and activities sometimes offered at the library. After reading the book, kids will feel familiar and comfortable with the library environment.
Eden's Favourite: I Am Jazz
The book “I am Jazz” by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings is about a young girl named Jazz as she tells the story of finding her identity and her journey as a transgender girl and her experiences and relationships with her parents, siblings and friends at school.
Based on the true story of Jazz Jennings “I Am Jazz” can be an excellent learning tool for children when starting to understand the concepts of Transgender, and is both positive and validating towards children exploring their gender identity. Representation is such a huge part of how children interact with the world around them and “I Am Jazz” is a excellent story to start conversations about gender and identity.
Cathy's Favourite: This Day in June
This Day in June, and award winner written by Gayle E Pitman, is dedicated to "all the courageous pioneers in the LGBT community who helped to make Pride what it is today".
The illustrations are sweet, funny and action packed. The text consists of short, powerful, rhymes..."Motors roaring Spirits soaring / Banner swaying Children playing/Dancers jumping Music pumping". Suitable for children of 4 - 8 years, This Day in June celebrates everything we love about Pride!
The book includes a reading guide explaining the significance of each page, including historical context, as well as ideas about how to talk positively about sexual orientation and gender identity to children and teens of various ages.
Lisa's Favourite: Loose Parts
This isn't a children's book but we're reviewing it anyway because it's an important resource that explains a shift in approach we've made recently.
Many modern children's toys require batteries or screens; and often, activities are planned with a concrete process and finished product top of mind. 'Loose Parts' is an old concept that is making a comeback: let's give children the autonomy to guide their own play using an assortment of materials and their imagination. This creative process allows children to develop their sense of divergent thinking, generating creative ideas by exploring many possible outcomes, which can help children to develop the skill or solution-based problem-solving.

Here at EECC, we have had Loose Parts days where the children let their imagination run wild with pipe cleaners, cotton balls, pom-poms, tissue paper, feathers, buttons, felt, straws, glue and string. We've also created a Loose Parts mural (shown below) that included paint and many of the above mentioned material. This book demonstrates hundreds of ways to use loose parts for unstructured and semi-unstructured play and exploration.
East End Children's Centre | 416-469-0495 | eecc@rogers.com | eastendchildrenscentre.org