A Nanaimo writer has written a childrenB次元官网网址檚 book about homelessness and sheB次元官网网址檒l soon be sharing it with classrooms around the country.

Last month it was announced that Nanaimo author and former executive director of NanaimoB次元官网网址檚 Unitarian shelter Lois Peterson is one of the authors selected for the Canadian ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Book CentreB次元官网网址檚 Canadian ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Book Week Tour for her first non-fiction book, Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.

This is PetersonB次元官网网址檚 second time on the tour, which sends childrenB次元官网网址檚 authors to different parts of the country to present their books to students. The tour, happening in May, will take place online, meaning Peterson could be presenting Shelter to students anywhere.

B次元官网网址淚 was very surprised but also pleased because the book centreB次元官网网址檚 really pivotal in promoting Canadian childrenB次元官网网址檚 reading,B次元官网网址� she said of being selected.

In her book, Peterson covers B次元官网网址渕isconceptionsB次元官网网址� about homelessness and discusses the reasons people experience homelessness, what life is like for them and the challenges they face.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 always concerned about the way kids get their information from the adults in their lives,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪o, I wanted in some sense to address that and give children real information that then they could come to their own conclusions.B次元官网网址�

Peterson said homelessness is an issue that matters to her because itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渢he hardest proof we live in very inequitable society.B次元官网网址� She said along with ubiquitous inequity is fear-driven intolerance toward people who are struggling.

B次元官网网址淭o live in such a wealthy society as we live in and to have poverty like this around us every day, I think it doesnB次元官网网址檛 say great things about us as human beings,B次元官网网址� she said.

In tailoring the book for young readers, Peterson said she aimed to relate it to what they themselves may have witnessed in their own communities. She was mindful that some young readers may be living in vulnerable situations and the book advises where they can go for help. She said discussing homelessness with children can be part of a long-term solution.

B次元官网网址淚 feel that talking to children about issues like this helps us raise caring adults, increases empathy and awareness,B次元官网网址� she said. [With] adults, many of their ideas and opinions are fully formed and fixed, whereas kids are open to looking at things in new ways.B次元官网网址�

Shelter: Homelessness in our Community is available in Nanaimo from Windowseat Books and Strong Nations, as well as through the Vancouver Island Regional Library.

arts@nanaimobulletin.com
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