It’s the 25th anniversary of the United Nations declaring December 3rd the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and it also happens to be our fourth birthday here at NNELS.

Last year, we celebrated this anniversary with a special book: the library staff at the Pemberton Public Library recorded a Captain Underpants book for young readers.

This year, we have two more very special books to share with you. Thanks to Jocelyn Stewart at the Gibsons District Public Library in British Columbia, there are two wonderful new children’s books in the NNELS collection: Supposing, by Alistair Reid, which explores the world with a child’s imagination, and The Way I Feel, by Janan Cain, which is an excellent book for learning about feelings: what they are and what the words mean.

IDPD LogoThe stories themselves are well-written and well-chosen, but what makes them extraordinary is the narration: they are read out loud by the “Gibsons District Public Library kids”. That’s right: children recording books for children.

If you have a NNELS account and a few minutes, we encourage you to download the books and listen for yourselves. There’s nothing like these books anywhere in our collection, and we can confirm it is possible to fall in love with a voice.

The purpose of observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. This year's theme is “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all.” May the books we read this coming year contribute to moving us toward sustainability and resilience.