My Community: People Who Help introduces young readers to the many people who keep our communities safe, organized, and connected while explaining the important role each one plays. What inspired you to create this book?

As a Kindergarten and Grade 1 teacher, I was looking for an easy-to-read book to help teach our Social Studies curriculum on communities and community helpers, such as firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and many others. I wanted a book with real photographs, simple language, and engaging content that young children could easily understand. When I asked our school librarian if the library had a suitable book, he told me they didn’t. Knowing that I was already writing children’s books, he smiled and said, “Why don’t you write one?”

Around the same time, one of our kindergarten teachers suggested I use some of the photographs I had taken during our class visits to the police station, fire hall, and paramedic station. That inspired me to create a book that not only explains what a community is but also introduces the many people who work together to keep it safe, organized, and connected.

My goal was to create a resource that supports the curriculum while helping children appreciate the important role community helpers play. Seeing my kindergarten colleague’s excitement when she received a copy for her classroom confirmed that the book was filling a real need.

How did you decide which professions to include in the book?

I included many of the community helpers my primary students had met during our class visits, such as firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. I also wanted to feature a wide variety of occupations so children could see their parents, relatives, or neighbours represented in the book and begin thinking about their own future careers.

One of my favourite moments was hearing my students excitedly point to different pages and say, “My mom does that!” or “My dad has that job!” Others told me they wanted to become firefighters, chefs, or veterinarians when they grew up. After reading the book several times, they began acting out different occupations during playtime, creating their own hospitals, bakeries, restaurants, and other community businesses. Watching them connect the book to their own lives was incredibly rewarding.

What challenges come with explaining real-world jobs in a way that young children can easily understand?

Having taught beginning readers for many years, I knew young children learn best when they can see, say, and interact with new words. I used simple language, real photographs, colourful illustrations, and picture clues to help explain more challenging vocabulary, such as “paramedic” or “electrician.” I also included children, adults, and grandparents from diverse backgrounds so every child could see themselves reflected in their community.

To extend the learning, I added two interactive activities at the back of the book: “Can You Name the Community Helpers?” and “Hear, See, and Clap the Syllables!” These activities help children build vocabulary, phonics, and reading confidence while making learning fun.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available? 

At the moment, I am working on several exciting projects. I am converting many of my children’s books into hardcover editions and writing two different chapter book series—one inspired by my childhood adventures growing up on the Canadian prairies, and another about a princess who learns about empathy. I’m also finishing several beginner readers that I started, including books about different breeds of cows, the fair, and family life.

As an educator and author, I enjoy creating stories that inspire curiosity, encourage a love of reading, and help children learn about the world around them. I look forward to continuing to share new books with young readers, parents, and teachers in the years ahead.

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