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The BCECTA #BCed Teacher-Author program launched in February 2023
Our range of Teacher-author books support the BC Curriculum as well as many other themes such as SOGI, SEL, and Anti-Racism. Members of BCECTA can apply to request a by-donation author's virtual visit to your school. (Anyone working in BC Education can become a member of BCECTA) If you are interested in requesting a BC Teacher-Author visit, please fill out the request form below. BCECTA is similar to a member-funded non-profit organization, so requests will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis, and are contingent to budget, author availability and district policy. |
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Meet Sandip, Author & Elementary School Teacher in Surrey, B.C.!
Follow Sandip on Instagram at @sandipsodhibooks
Sandip Sodhi is a children’s book author and an elementary school teacher in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. She has been teaching kids from the ages of 5 -13 for more than 25 years, and she cares a lot about supporting new teachers.
Currently, Sandip is working as a Teacher-Librarian at an elementary school in South Surrey. She finds joy in working with all of the students in her school and encourages learners to look for and value the learning that occurs in life’s lessons. She is very keen on using picture books to help children identify with virtues that are inherent in us all. Sandip considers herself to be a lifelong learner and teaches children about having a growth mindset and to keep on learning.
We are thrilled to announce that Sandip has also joined the Executive Committee of the B.C. Early Career Teachers' Association in order to support the health and well-being of B.C. preservice teachers, TTOCs, and new-ish Teachers.
"Children need to see themselves in the books they read and in the stories that they hear. They need to be able to identify with characters that have characteristics and experiences with which they can connect. I was a British born Punjabi Sikh immigrant living in East Vancouver, and didn't see books in schools that I could connect with. My books are about inclusivity and showcase diversity."
Sandip is fond of and encourages laughter wherever she goes. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband and daughter, both of whom keep her laughing. If she’s not writing or reading, Sandip loves to play fun pranks, go for walks by the ocean, travel, and connect with family and friends.
Follow Sandip on Instagram at @sandipsodhibooks
Sandip Sodhi is a children’s book author and an elementary school teacher in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. She has been teaching kids from the ages of 5 -13 for more than 25 years, and she cares a lot about supporting new teachers.
Currently, Sandip is working as a Teacher-Librarian at an elementary school in South Surrey. She finds joy in working with all of the students in her school and encourages learners to look for and value the learning that occurs in life’s lessons. She is very keen on using picture books to help children identify with virtues that are inherent in us all. Sandip considers herself to be a lifelong learner and teaches children about having a growth mindset and to keep on learning.
We are thrilled to announce that Sandip has also joined the Executive Committee of the B.C. Early Career Teachers' Association in order to support the health and well-being of B.C. preservice teachers, TTOCs, and new-ish Teachers.
"Children need to see themselves in the books they read and in the stories that they hear. They need to be able to identify with characters that have characteristics and experiences with which they can connect. I was a British born Punjabi Sikh immigrant living in East Vancouver, and didn't see books in schools that I could connect with. My books are about inclusivity and showcase diversity."
Sandip is fond of and encourages laughter wherever she goes. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband and daughter, both of whom keep her laughing. If she’s not writing or reading, Sandip loves to play fun pranks, go for walks by the ocean, travel, and connect with family and friends.
Ms. Chievus in the Classroom (Published 2020)
"Kids will enjoy reading this hilarious lesson, and parents will be chuckling too!"
Division O-O is unmanageable. The students run the class and the teachers are exhausted! Upon the arrival of Ms. Chievus, things start to change...for the better or worse? Ms. Chievus in the Classroom is a fun book about self-regulation, playfulness and mutual respect.
“Ms. Chievus in the Classroom” is Sandip’s first picture book. It was illustrated by Ken and Janet Priebe and was published in March 2020. This is a humorous book with cartoon-like images about a class of students that have a difficult time being at school. Some of the events in the book are based on actual scenarios that occurred during Sandip’s early days of teaching.
Division O-O is unmanageable. The students run the class and the teachers are exhausted! Upon the arrival of Ms. Chievus, things start to change...for the better or worse? Ms. Chievus in the Classroom is a fun book about self-regulation, playfulness and mutual respect.
“Ms. Chievus in the Classroom” is Sandip’s first picture book. It was illustrated by Ken and Janet Priebe and was published in March 2020. This is a humorous book with cartoon-like images about a class of students that have a difficult time being at school. Some of the events in the book are based on actual scenarios that occurred during Sandip’s early days of teaching.
"In Sodhi’s charming, cheerfully whimsical children’s book, Ms. Chievus in the Classroom she finds her best strategy is to be even worse-behaved than her students. She yells in class. She stands on desks, she does somersaults and cartwheels. She chews bubblegum annoyingly loudly. Worst of all, she doesn’t even bother to teach the children anything. And while that’s fun for a while, the children can’t help feeling there’s something wrong, somehow. Before long Ms. Chievus is in trouble with the school principal, Ms. Fedup – and the children realize it’s up to them to save her by coming up with a plan of their own. Sodhi’s fable, for all its humour, has some underlying lessons about “discipline, self-regulation, playfulness and mutual respect.”
- Browne, Alex. Peace Arch News. 23 Oct 2020. https://www.peacearchnews.com/entertainment/classroom-mischief-enlivens-south-surrey-authors-childrens-fable/
- Browne, Alex. Peace Arch News. 23 Oct 2020. https://www.peacearchnews.com/entertainment/classroom-mischief-enlivens-south-surrey-authors-childrens-fable/
All proceeds from sales of Ms. Chievus in the Classroom are directed to Canuck Place Children's Hospice. "All children deserve to learn and play, including the children who cannot go to school due to injury or illness. This is why I chose to support Canuck Place."
"I liked the multicultural representation in this book. My children were able to relate to the characters."- Kuljit
"My daughters and I loved the book! Hilarious, entertaining and meaningful. Excellent read for elementary school kids and teachers." - Sim
"I liked the multicultural representation in this book. My children were able to relate to the characters."- Kuljit
"My daughters and I loved the book! Hilarious, entertaining and meaningful. Excellent read for elementary school kids and teachers." - Sim
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Talk to Me, What Do You See? Beauty and Joy from A-Z (Published 2021)
Sandip's second publication is an alphabet book that showcases positive things to focus on in times of despair and on a daily basis. The Surrey Teacher started writing this book three years ago, but ended up finishing it during the Covid-19 pandemic. All around, she heard people express their fear and stresses. Sandip was looking for something uplifting to focus on rather than all the negativity that was in the news. She reflected on what she saw when she went on walks, or what she heard from her friends and family. The original story (from 3 years ago) was tweaked and completed to reflect the current time.
Sandip wanted the images to be engaging, realistic and spark some conversation, so, she reached out to her friend's daughter, Anika Sandhu, an Art History student, in Victoria, to paint the images. Both Sandip and Anika are people who want to see more diversity in all works of art.
"The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful. My favourite page is the one with two young women wearing hijab and having a pillow fight. It shows how every child experiences joy and play, no matter what culture they come from, what language they speak, what faith they follow, or what skin colour they have." - Nicole Jarvis, president, B.C. Early-Career Teachers' Association.
"What a great book! Beautiful words and lovely illustrations. This is a great SEL book connected to mindfulness and gratitude. A wonderful book to add to your collection for home or the classroom." - Amazon review
Sandip wanted the images to be engaging, realistic and spark some conversation, so, she reached out to her friend's daughter, Anika Sandhu, an Art History student, in Victoria, to paint the images. Both Sandip and Anika are people who want to see more diversity in all works of art.
"The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful. My favourite page is the one with two young women wearing hijab and having a pillow fight. It shows how every child experiences joy and play, no matter what culture they come from, what language they speak, what faith they follow, or what skin colour they have." - Nicole Jarvis, president, B.C. Early-Career Teachers' Association.
"What a great book! Beautiful words and lovely illustrations. This is a great SEL book connected to mindfulness and gratitude. A wonderful book to add to your collection for home or the classroom." - Amazon review
Lauren MacLean
Lauren MacLean is a Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Teacher, born and raised in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada by two amazing parents. Lauren and her siblings grew up playing in the ditches and wetlands in the summer and exploring the snowy mountains in the winter. She now lives in Port Moody, BC. It’s still on the West Coast of Canada, just a bit further up the Burrard Inlet. Lauren is very grateful to be living and learning on lands which lie on the traditional, unceded territory of the Coast Salish people since time immemorial. Her family lives at the top of Heritage Mountain where they enjoy taking our two young toddlers and energetic dog on forest hikes. Lauren's book "Me and My Sit Spot" has deep connections to B.C. curriculum, Mindfulnes, SEL, FPPL, Environmental Education, and Place-Based Learning. Lauren's book is available for purchase in French and English through her website: https://mentoringnatureconnections.ca/ and the B.C. Early-Career Teachers' Association is proud to be partnering with Lauren in order to offer her workshops to a wider audience of BC Teachers.
Connect with Lauren via
What Are Lauren's Passions? Click to discover more
Connect with Lauren via
- Instagram @mentoringnatureconnections
- Twitter @lkmaclean
- Email [email protected]
What Are Lauren's Passions? Click to discover more
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"“I read this book to my Kindergarten students this morning in the forest and then each child chose their own sit spot. We have been working on SEL and it was a perfect tool to scaffold their learning. The author language was graceful and the children loved the illustrations. I am beyond grateful that Lauren published this book and that we chose to read it in the forest!!!” - Liz McCaw
"Me and my Sit Spot weaves together the story of a young girl immersed in nature with practical explanations and strategies of how to incorporate a sit spot routine into your personal or teaching practice This text fits beautifully on a classroom shelf or on your child's shelf at home. The text explores the merits of a sit spot routine through all facets of a young person's well being: mental, physical and social. For the classroom teacher, the text supports all aspects of the curriculum: Science, Socials, Literacy, Numeracy as well as the Core Competencies. The thinking prompts and glossary of flora and fauna at the back of the text enrich the learning opportunities provided within. I would highly recommend it to all teachers and parents looking to explore a deeper understanding of land based practices in the lives of the children they are connected to.
Utile" - Alexa via Amazon Canada Reviews
"Me and my Sit Spot weaves together the story of a young girl immersed in nature with practical explanations and strategies of how to incorporate a sit spot routine into your personal or teaching practice This text fits beautifully on a classroom shelf or on your child's shelf at home. The text explores the merits of a sit spot routine through all facets of a young person's well being: mental, physical and social. For the classroom teacher, the text supports all aspects of the curriculum: Science, Socials, Literacy, Numeracy as well as the Core Competencies. The thinking prompts and glossary of flora and fauna at the back of the text enrich the learning opportunities provided within. I would highly recommend it to all teachers and parents looking to explore a deeper understanding of land based practices in the lives of the children they are connected to.
Utile" - Alexa via Amazon Canada Reviews
Author Lauren's "Wonder Wagon" Ideas
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If you’re looking resources to add to your wonder wagons or ‘Go-Bags’ to go along with the book… here are a few ideas to get you started:
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Tim Stephenson
Tim is a wonderful, creative, kind, generous and funny TEDx presenter, podcaster, author, and Teacher of over 30 years in Langley, B.C. on the unceded territory. He is skilled in K-12 Education, Astronomy, Writing, Presenting, Good-Humour, Mentoring, and Teaching.
He was the recipient of the 2018 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. He has a strong education professional with a Master's degree focused in Educational Leadership from University of Portland. His is also a Board Member of "Plastic Oceans Canada"
Teacher: Langley School District #35Feb 1993 - Present
He was the recipient of the 2018 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. He has a strong education professional with a Master's degree focused in Educational Leadership from University of Portland. His is also a Board Member of "Plastic Oceans Canada"
Teacher: Langley School District #35Feb 1993 - Present
Podcast Guest Appearances:
Above & Beyond | Episode 29 with Tim Stephenson
The Good News, Brad News Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/above-beyond-episode-29-with-tim-stephenson/id1547374533?i=1000552395049
Connect with Tim!
Twitter: @astrostephenson
Instagram: @astrostephenson
YouTube: Beyond the Sky
Above & Beyond | Episode 29 with Tim Stephenson
The Good News, Brad News Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/above-beyond-episode-29-with-tim-stephenson/id1547374533?i=1000552395049
Connect with Tim!
Twitter: @astrostephenson
Instagram: @astrostephenson
YouTube: Beyond the Sky
Author: Beyond the Classroom
This is a book that will challenge some long-standing traditions and assumptions in education in order to reshape what a 'teacher' can be. Tim shares his own inspiring and passionate teaching career; thriving while embracing the idea of being a bit different and choosing to focus on relevant and meaningful learning. Tim hopes that from reading his book you can learn how a teaching career can be something that you rush towards, eagerly, with energy and stamina. Re-invigorate your career with simple and practical steps that anyone can employ. Mostly, see how amazing teaching can be if you lead with your heart instead of your mind. Tim's book helps you realize who you are and reflect on your passions in order to let your identity and purpose shine through. "Teaching is a people business. We need to connect at a personal level, first and foremost."
This is a book that will challenge some long-standing traditions and assumptions in education in order to reshape what a 'teacher' can be. Tim shares his own inspiring and passionate teaching career; thriving while embracing the idea of being a bit different and choosing to focus on relevant and meaningful learning. Tim hopes that from reading his book you can learn how a teaching career can be something that you rush towards, eagerly, with energy and stamina. Re-invigorate your career with simple and practical steps that anyone can employ. Mostly, see how amazing teaching can be if you lead with your heart instead of your mind. Tim's book helps you realize who you are and reflect on your passions in order to let your identity and purpose shine through. "Teaching is a people business. We need to connect at a personal level, first and foremost."
Lisa Baylis - "Self-Compassion for Educators"
Lisa has a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. She has taught internationally and locally. Much of her vast teaching experience was gained in classrooms across British Columbia — from Fort St. John to the Comox Valley. Currently, she is a high school counsellor in the Greater Victoria School District.
Lisa’s work involves creating positive change in and out of schools by supporting the wellbeing of educators, while simultaneously building resiliency and restoring the joy of teaching.Her accessible and inclusive presentations have built her a reputation as one of the most trustworthy mindful self-compassion experts in North America.
Baylis has been sharing wellbeing strategies for the last 20 years. A natural born connector with an innate ability to make people feel valued and heard, she is an instructor, a counsellor, a facilitator, and a mother. Lisa is a published author of Self-Compassion for Educators as well as, the creator of the AWE Method — Awakening the Wellbeing for Educators — which merges self-care, mindfulness, and self-compassion.
Trained by mindful self-compassion pioneers Chris Germer and Kristin Neff, Lisa is also a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. You can learn from her by taking an eight-week online MSC course, explore a half-day AWE retreat, or join her Year-Long Mindfulness for Educators program. Learn more about what is coming up in her Upcoming Events. No matter the setting — classroom, counselling session, or teacher development — Lisa incorporates concepts of positive psychology, self-compassion, and mindfulness.
Check out her blog for ideas on how to incorporate aspects of mindfulness, and positive education into your classroom and the new curriculum. She also offers a "Mindfulness For Educators Year-long ONLINE Program," luxury wellness retreats like "AWE (Awaken Well-being for Educators)", and a 6-Week Online Program called "Courageous Compassion for Educators"
Lisa is happy to connect! Feel free to learn more at https://lisabaylis.com/ or contact her here.
Lisa’s work involves creating positive change in and out of schools by supporting the wellbeing of educators, while simultaneously building resiliency and restoring the joy of teaching.Her accessible and inclusive presentations have built her a reputation as one of the most trustworthy mindful self-compassion experts in North America.
Baylis has been sharing wellbeing strategies for the last 20 years. A natural born connector with an innate ability to make people feel valued and heard, she is an instructor, a counsellor, a facilitator, and a mother. Lisa is a published author of Self-Compassion for Educators as well as, the creator of the AWE Method — Awakening the Wellbeing for Educators — which merges self-care, mindfulness, and self-compassion.
Trained by mindful self-compassion pioneers Chris Germer and Kristin Neff, Lisa is also a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. You can learn from her by taking an eight-week online MSC course, explore a half-day AWE retreat, or join her Year-Long Mindfulness for Educators program. Learn more about what is coming up in her Upcoming Events. No matter the setting — classroom, counselling session, or teacher development — Lisa incorporates concepts of positive psychology, self-compassion, and mindfulness.
Check out her blog for ideas on how to incorporate aspects of mindfulness, and positive education into your classroom and the new curriculum. She also offers a "Mindfulness For Educators Year-long ONLINE Program," luxury wellness retreats like "AWE (Awaken Well-being for Educators)", and a 6-Week Online Program called "Courageous Compassion for Educators"
Lisa is happy to connect! Feel free to learn more at https://lisabaylis.com/ or contact her here.
Self-Compassion for Educators:
Mindful Practices to Awaken Your Well-Being and Grow Resilience
Lisa's book is a manifesto—a call to action—that puts educator well-being at the forefront of healthy school culture. It serves to awaken the well-being of educators by helping them understand the “why,” “how,” and “what” of sustainable wellness. "Throughout my journey, I have learned some essential techniques that have helped me remain resilient—practices grounded in mindfulness and self-compassion—that I will share with you throughout this book.
Prioritizing educator well-being has to start now, and we need to get loud about it. We need to permit ourselves to care for ourselves as a priority so we can be present and resilient enough to care for others."
This book will help you develop greater compassion for yourself and others so you can reduce feelings of shame, criticism, and self-doubt and build resiliency inside and outside the classroom.
Mindful Practices to Awaken Your Well-Being and Grow Resilience
Lisa's book is a manifesto—a call to action—that puts educator well-being at the forefront of healthy school culture. It serves to awaken the well-being of educators by helping them understand the “why,” “how,” and “what” of sustainable wellness. "Throughout my journey, I have learned some essential techniques that have helped me remain resilient—practices grounded in mindfulness and self-compassion—that I will share with you throughout this book.
Prioritizing educator well-being has to start now, and we need to get loud about it. We need to permit ourselves to care for ourselves as a priority so we can be present and resilient enough to care for others."
This book will help you develop greater compassion for yourself and others so you can reduce feelings of shame, criticism, and self-doubt and build resiliency inside and outside the classroom.
Harman Singh Pandher
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Harman Pandher is a Surrey Intermediate Elementary Teacher, father, son, Community Builder, former Burnaby School Trustee, and author of two children's books: Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara and Welcome to Paldi. (Twitter/@Pandher4Burnaby)
"Representation matters, so much. You cannot BE what you cannot SEE." "If you don't see the book you are looking for on the shelf, it's up to you to write it." "This is why I write books and stories about Sikh-Canadian experiences. These characters look like us, like our families, like our communities." Harman is also the co-founder of@sach_bc and he was recently chosen as 1 of 5 recipients of the 2021 BC Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism Awards. "I'm proud to have played a small part in an amazing literacy initiative by Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Literacy Burnaby & Vancouver Sun's Raise a Reader program: 3000+ books donated by BNH to Burnaby kids to date in the spirit of literacy, diversity, inclusion & community!" Raise-a-Reader: Burnaby Neighbourhood House distributes new and donated books in literacy hampers via @VancouverSun https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gurpreet-gurdwara-book-1.5726572 spotlight in @darpanmagazine: "One community's struggle is everyone's struggle and our freedoms are interconnected." "When I was little I used to look for my name at the store on keychains, pencils, magnets etc and was always disappointed when I never found it! It’s so beautiful to “see” ourselves in books and stories!! So thank you for sharing your art with all of us!!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽" - Kira Pooni @kira.pooni Find this book at https://www.chapters.indigo.ca |
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Pandher's first book, Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara highlights experiences of growing up Sikh in Canada and features artwork by Surrey illustrator Gurpreet Kaur Birk. Pandher hopes children of different cultures will encounter books like these in their classrooms in order to see their stories matter.
"We really need to actively do the anti-racist work to make a difference," said Pandher. "This is my small effort in that regard." Review written by @jenn_wint for @vancouver_mom: Read the full article at https://www.vancouvermom.ca/arts/vm-book-club-june-2021-the-dads-edition/ "This story about a boy with Canadian ideas from a Sikh family is written by a local school teacher. The book explores the journey of a young child discovering the traditions of his Sikh heritage by attending Gurdwara with his family on Sunday. Learning about the religion and family values through the eyes and questions of Gurpreet was both interesting and charming as the character represents so many young children trying to understand the demands of their parents. I’ve found teaching my kids about different cultures through stories is the best way for them to understand and ask questions. My 4yo really enjoyed the story and relating it to his own experience. The unfamiliar words were well explained, and the fun illustrations brought the story to life." Excerpt: "You have to practice your religion to become a good Sikh, too," said Gurpreet’s dad. "Just think of Gurdwara as God’s rink – without the slapshots. The more you go, the more you know. You know?" Connect with Harman on Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/pandher4burnaby Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmanspandher/?hl=en |
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Harman's second children's book is Welcome to Paldi: A Place For Everyone
Read Welcome to Paldi, a new book in the Celebrate Canada series, where a girl learns from her grandparents about Paldi, a small town founded by Mayo Singh, a Sikh lumber mill owner. This is written for a grade 3 reading level, so the book is accessible to readers of many ages.
Visit http://bit.ly/3fKVaHj to learn more!
Visit http://bit.ly/3fKVaHj to learn more!
Listen to Harman's guest appearance on @theharpodcast with host @harppandher & producer @rajashergill
Check out The HarPodcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts Click here to listen on Spotify |
Check out Teacher-Author Harman Pandher's recent video interview about his newest book with Dupaher Wala Show host Jaspreet Kaur Sidhu
How a Canadian city got Punjabi name | Dupaher Wala Show: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1234283224112187 
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Related Educational Resources:
- Punjabi-Sikh Canadians Teacher Resources Guide
https://instructionalservices.sd35.bc.ca › 2021/08 PDF
Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place). • - Canadian Sikh Heritage Trail
http://shmc.ca › sikhs-heritage-trail-english
The people of Charlesville welcomed 174 refugee Sikhs on board the freighter ... In 1993, Gurbax Singh Malhi was the first Sikh elected to the House of ... - CBC: Sikh temple celebrates 100 years of acceptance in Vancouver Island ghost town
Hieu Pham-Fraser
Author, The Little Girl
mother, daughter, wife, friend, author, teacher, district principal SD39 Instagram @hieubooks Twitter: @hieufraser Bio & Synopsis from the Publisher's Website: "H. Pham-Fraser has worked as an educator for over twenty-five years. She has a bachelor's and a master's degree in education, a diploma in English Language Learning, and certificates in special education and reading intervention. She has taught every grade from preschool to university, and currently works as a school administrator in the Metro Vancouver area. Pham-Fraser wrote The Little Girl because she saw a need for all members of our societies to understand that name is identity. Many groups and institutions put pressure on individuals to change or anglicize their names. After watching this simple, everyday imposition negatively affecting her students, she made the decision to share her own story. The book has already helped elementary, secondary, and university students critically think how they welcome others who don't look like them, speak like them, or have the same cultures as they do. Pham-Fraser believes that anti-racism work starts within us first and that stories can open our minds and hearts to what is possible. She lives in Richmond, B.C., with her son, husband, and their beloved dog, Cocoa. |
Author H. Pham-Fraser | Illustrator Akemi | Designed by Brian Liu
1. eBook Edition. 978-1-03-913256-6
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Based on the true refugee experience of a Vietnamese boat family, The Little Girl illustrates how good intentions have nothing to do with the impact we have on another's wellbeing, and the painful consequences of having foreign names anglicized for the comfort of those in power.
When the little girl arrives at her new home, the guard at the border takes away a little piece of her name. Then the teacher at her new school takes away the rest. This new home is beautiful, but it’s also scary. She must learn so many things: how to draw, how to read, and how to print in a strange new language. Every day, she works very hard, but will it ever be good enough? Will she ever be good enough? And how can she do all of this without her name?
When the little girl arrives at her new home, the guard at the border takes away a little piece of her name. Then the teacher at her new school takes away the rest. This new home is beautiful, but it’s also scary. She must learn so many things: how to draw, how to read, and how to print in a strange new language. Every day, she works very hard, but will it ever be good enough? Will she ever be good enough? And how can she do all of this without her name?
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"The Little Girl teaches us how important our names are to our identities, and that knowing a name is the first thing we can do to show others that they belong and are welcome. Every time I read this book, I thank the little girl for being brave and teaching us all." – Shelley Moore, BC Educator, Inclusive Education Leader, International speaker and author of One Without the Other
"Our week has been filled with powerful conversations about names and personal identity after reading this book! Our students are so inspired!" – William Cook Elementary School Staff, Richmond, BC 
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Read an interview with Hieu Pham-Fraser on the United Nations Refugee Agency of Canada website!
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Kelly Shuto
Author of What Does It Mean To Be Brave? and
What Does It Mean To Be Your Best? Reggio inspired kindergarten teacher, Authenticity -oriented, Surrey Teacher & loving mom. Website: linktr.ee/KellyShutoBooks Instagram: @KellyShutoBooks Twitter: @KellyShuto |
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Under Construction - February 2023
Kuljinder Kaur Brar
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- "A Surrey teacher has come out with a children's book called "My Name Is Saajin Singh". Kuljinder Kaur Brar wrote the book to empower kids to correct others when their names are mispronounced. I can relate - I'm sure a lot of others can too." - Tarnjit Kaur Parmar @Tarnjitkparmar Aug 17, 2022
Kuljinder is passionate about diverse representation in books and education. She is currently an elementary school teacher in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Kuljinder has a BA in General Studies with a minor in English and business, a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s in Educational Technology from the University of British Columbia.
Kuljinder was born and raised in Surrey, British Columbia and currently lives on a farm in Abbotsford, British Columbia. She is the daughter of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, India. Kuljinder is the middle child and grew up with two brothers. She enjoys going on nature walks, playing video/board games with loved ones and eating cheese pizza with extra pineapple topping.
Kuljinder grew up reading stories with protagonists that she couldn’t connect with. They didn’t look like her or her family. When she began teaching in 2011, she tried looking for books that would represent the diverse backgrounds of all of her students. As the years passed, she was not very successful on her book hunt.
Kuljinder always dreamed of writing children’s books, but somehow life always got in the way. After having her first child, Kuljinder was driven to change the lack of representation of Sikh protagonists in books. She wanted her children to grow up seeing themselves and their families in the stories they read. When the whole world shut down due to COVID-19, Kuljinder was finally able to focus on what she always dreamed of doing: writing children’s books.
Stay tuned for more books to come!
Kuljinder was born and raised in Surrey, British Columbia and currently lives on a farm in Abbotsford, British Columbia. She is the daughter of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, India. Kuljinder is the middle child and grew up with two brothers. She enjoys going on nature walks, playing video/board games with loved ones and eating cheese pizza with extra pineapple topping.
Kuljinder grew up reading stories with protagonists that she couldn’t connect with. They didn’t look like her or her family. When she began teaching in 2011, she tried looking for books that would represent the diverse backgrounds of all of her students. As the years passed, she was not very successful on her book hunt.
Kuljinder always dreamed of writing children’s books, but somehow life always got in the way. After having her first child, Kuljinder was driven to change the lack of representation of Sikh protagonists in books. She wanted her children to grow up seeing themselves and their families in the stories they read. When the whole world shut down due to COVID-19, Kuljinder was finally able to focus on what she always dreamed of doing: writing children’s books.
Stay tuned for more books to come!
Angelina Gauthier
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Angelina is a District Itinerant Resource Teacher, and Educational Consultant based on the traditional territory of the Lhtako Dene Nation, known by some as Quesnel, BC. She has been a teacher, elementary principal, and educator in BC for over 25 years.
Most recently she has also become a teacher wellness coach and a published author of three children's picture books with themes of social-emotional learning, mindfulness, kindness and family: What Kind of World Would It Be? - themes of kindness, empathy, caring I Love You to the Treetops - themes of love, family Published Sept 2022 - 17 pages - Paperback $17.99 Kindle $2.99 |
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My Mindful Friends - themes of mindfulness, social-emotional learning, self-regulation
Published Sept 2020 - 17 pages - Paperback $17.99 Kindle $2.99
My Mindful Friends is a social-emotional learning book that will improve classroom culture or home climate, tame the worries, reduce anxiety, calm anger, and manage strong emotions in any situation.
Published Sept 2020 - 17 pages - Paperback $17.99 Kindle $2.99
My Mindful Friends is a social-emotional learning book that will improve classroom culture or home climate, tame the worries, reduce anxiety, calm anger, and manage strong emotions in any situation.
This book shares four steps to mindfulness that are based on researched methods and will support social-emotional learning lessons or programs used by educators and caregivers. The steps, along with easy-to learn calming techniques, will provide valuable mindfulness and self-regulation skills, and show children that each and every emotion is okay. It will share a variety of breathing techniques that they can use to calm big emotions, practice mindfulness, and become ready to problem solve or learn.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for positive, long-term skills, including effective problem-solving, impulse control, and management of emotions. People with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally, and socially.
My Mindful Friends includes diverse illustrations that will teach a variety of skills, including:
Social-emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for positive, long-term skills, including effective problem-solving, impulse control, and management of emotions. People with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally, and socially.
My Mindful Friends includes diverse illustrations that will teach a variety of skills, including:
- choosing and practicing mindfulness strategies,
- breathing and strategies to calm strong, uncomfortable emotions,
- showing kindness and empathy towards others, and
- developing a growth mindset to show that they can do hard things.
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What Kind of World Would It Be? encourages kindness, cooperation, generosity, and empathy, and will inspire meaningful dialogue about how to make the world a little kinder. This children’s book about kindness challenges children to reflect on their actions and inspires meaningful discussions about how actions and words impact others. Filled with bright, bold illustrations, What Kind of World Would It Be? shows how simple, daily social interactions such as a kind word, helping hand, or selfless act can have a huge impact on others, and can fill the world with kindness. This engaging book is a valuable addition to every family’s home or teacher’s classroom.
Kindness is one of the most important character traits we can teach our children. Share this essential message with the children in your life by asking, if everyone acted just like me, what kind of world would it be? |
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The kindness we share with our families is the first love we show. I Love You To The Treetops shares the vast, unconditional love between a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, and child.From treetops to deserts, waterfalls, forests or savannahs, the love of a parent, grandparent, or caregiver to their child stretches to every inch of the world. Cherish the love you share, while your imaginations explore the world and universe in the process. Treasure and celebrate kindness and love with the children in your life when you read I Love You To The Treetops.
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Angelina held virtual classroom visits during the height of the pandemic and she is always willing to share her books with teachers and students beyond her own school district. Her own experience with burnout and compassion fatigue lead to her journey to help fellow educators and become a certified life coach, teacher wellness coach, mental health advocate, and supporter for teacher well-being. She partners with BCECTA by offering workshops, webinars, or courses in any of those areas for early teachers and TTOCs. Angelina feels it is valuable to see a PSA for early teachers and TTOCs: "Having a group to assist, support, and lead our early teachers is so needed and I am honoured to be a part of it in some small way."
If you wish to learn more about Angelina, her books, and her focus on kindness, you can visit her website at www.kindnessandstories.com
If you wish to learn more about Angelina's coaching, her second website has some of the courses she offers: www.sparkjoylifecoaching.com