The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), The Royal Canadian Legion, and Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) have teamed up to launch the first four in a series of free online storybooks – including one narrated by Canadian Armed Forces Veteran and retired astronaut, Chris Hadfield – to help children from military, Veteran and public safety personnel (PSP) families build strengths and coping skills.

This project was adapted from the original Australian, research-based books created by Dr. Marg Rogers to build strength and coping skills for children from military, Veteran and public safety personnel (PSP) families.

The books were adapted with input and direction from military, Veteran and PSP parents and children across Canada. You will see these adaptations with the new Canadian characters in some books, amended language and storylines in some books, updated research references and statistics from Canadian researchers with expertise in military, Veteran and PSP family research, as well as updates that include Canadian cultural adaptations including spelling, terminology, family experiences, characters, settings, animals, flora and fauna, clothing, weather conditions and flags.

As CIMVHR embarked on this process, we began by undertaking an environmental scan of age-appropriate storybooks, picture books, children’s novels and graphic novels related to the theme of military life or remembrance. Of the 102 books identified that met inclusion criteria, only five were available online as free e-books, while all others were either print only or had e-books for sale. Additionally, none of the books identified presented academic references. As such, these four titles are the first evidence-based military children’s books available online and for free in Canada.

The Books!

Our Alphabet Roller Coaster – The ABC’s of Training and Deployment

Using four lovable Canadian animals illustrated by Jan Dolby, this adapted research-based storybook explores their experiences of service family life. This includes postings and parental absences from home.

Adapted from Marg’s original Australian title, Mary’s Alphabet Slippery Dip, this Canadian version includes Canadian spelling, word choices, weather, clothing, settings and more.

Accompanying resources are available here.

D is for Deployment: Emma Raps it Up!

This research-based storybook explores Emma's experiences as her parent deploys. Emma shares her feelings as her parent move in and out of the household. While the original version of this book uses actual family photos, the Canadian edition was completely illustrated by Laura Hanek.

Accompanying resources are available here.

My Colourful Kite

This research-based storybook explores Nick's experiences of a parent working away. It explores social responses to parental absence and extended family care.

Accompanying resources are available here.

And so, things have been a bit different: Oliver’s Story

This book has sensitive content and is for children who have experienced a parent with service-related injuries.

This research-based storybook tells the story of Oliver, whose parent has a service-related injury. Oliver learns what that means for his parent and the whole family. This book is specifically for those children who have experienced this in their families.

Accompanying resources are available here.

Co-Created and Co-Adapted - These first four research-based books have been co-adapted with a pan-Canadian group of military, Veteran and PSP parents, grandparents, educators, psychiatrists, Canadian researchers focused on defence families, French language first partners, and a Canadian indigenous languages professor.

Col. (Retd) Chris Hadfield, Astronaut, Business Leader, Tech Entrepreneur, Best Selling Author and first Canadian to command the International Space Station reads Our Alphabet Roller Coaster – The ABC’s of Training and Deployment

Who's Involved?

About Dr. Marg Rogers and the Australian e-books and online resources

Dr. Marg RogersDr. Marg Rogers is a professor of early childhood education, with an interest in military, Veteran and PSP families at the University of New England (UNE), in Armedale Australia. More about Dr. Rogers- https://www.une.edu.au/staff-profiles/education/mbaber

She and her team at UNE in Australia, now known as the Child and Family Resources and Programs, have co-created 12 children’s books made for military, Veteran and PSP families. These e-books are free to use in Australia, and her team has created an entire suite of resources for Australian children living in defence families to accompany the books. Learn more here - https://ecdefenceprograms.com/

This project was made possible by financial contributions from The Legion, CIMVHR and CFMWS for their generous financial contribution.

Accompanying Resources

 

Want to get involved in the next Canadian book adaptations?  We need more parent and grandparent volunteers who are connected to the military community. Contact Amy Doyle at a.doyle@queensu.ca to participate.

OR

Help with a new co-created title to address a need not yet addressed? Contact Dr. Marg Rogers at marg.rogers@une.edu.au