Things That Happen By Chance - A bit of news ....
2010 - Vancouver - California
2016 - 2017 - Chicago - Colorado
2018 - Vancouver - Colorado
2017 - West Vancouver - Canada
2017 - Toronto - Canada
2017 - Vancouver - Canada
2018 - Chile - Patagonia
2017 - Vancouver - Canada
2017 - Vancouver - Toronto
2018 - 2019 - Vancouver - Canada
2018 - Kyoto - Japan
2018 - Tokyo - Japan
2018 - 2019 - U.K. supports the book - thank you for sharing
The book has been enjoying an online presence and media coverage in the UK. As a result it has acquired an audience in many diverse learning areas and age groups.
https://boove.co.uk/lists/best-books-to-give-to-new-employees/
https://boove.co.uk/beginner-books-on-esl-students/
https://boove.co.uk/lists/language-books-for-children/
https://boove.co.uk/lists/picture-books-for-children/
https://fupping.com/jacobjacobowitz/2019/06/01/5-year-olds-should-read-these-funny-8-books/
https://fupping.com/taegan/2019/07/21/24-best-ideas-for-a-creative-toddler/
https://fupping.com/yehoshuabomberg/2018/12/24/8-books-to-read-to-elementary-students-that-will-educate-and-help-them/
2019 - North America - Social Media
Mom Blog Society - has selected the book to be included in their 2019 Holiday Gift Guide. Mom Blog Society is one of the top ranked parenting blogs in North America.
https://momblogsociety.com
After briefly meeting a lady and sharing my high school graduation gift idea of writing a children's book for my son Chance she suggested I publish it for all children to enjoy. Later on I discovered she had worked in the Los Angeles school system as a child psychologist. Her words stayed with me and in late 2015 I took her advice and Things That Happen By Chance was published.
I had another perchance meeting with an occupational therapist visiting from Chicago who worked with children with autism. After reading my book she suggested I try to contact Dr. Temple Grandin at Colorado State University who is a global authority on the autism spectrum and try to send her a copy. Her belief was that because the book is written in pictures children living with autism would find it helpful with their learning style. As fate would have it I was able to reach, Dr. Grandin and In 2017 and she contacted me personally. A few weeks later I received her personal endorsement for the book.
While in Vancouver on a speaking engagement I had the pleasure of meeting and thanking Dr. Temple Grandin in person for her endorsement of the book. She is a firm believer in children learning manners and respect at an early age.
The MP for West Vancouver in Ottawa was gracious enough to distribute copies of the book to all of the libraries in her constituency.
A doctor who came across the book while in Vancouver was kind enough to have his charitable foundation donate a large number of copies in 5 languages to the Toronto St. Michael's Hospital Reach Out and Read Literacy Program for inner city children.
I was asked by First Books Canada to speak at an event for HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) hosted by Immigration Services Canada to assist the families of new Canadians.
2018 - Vancouver - Canada
I was invited to attend the 2018 HIPPY (Home instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) graduation celebration for new Canadians at Immigration Services Canada.
The same charitable foundation benefactors again donated a large quantity of books through First Books Canada to elementary schools in both Ontario and BC
A memorable moment: At a Cole's book signing a man stopped and read through the entire book. When finished he said “I'm on the right track now but I was once a homeless man. I know this is a children’s book but I sure have met a lot of adults in my life who should read it also”. He then turned and disappeared into the crowd.
After 60 years I was able to reconnect with one of my favourite teachers from Grade 2. Now a missionary in Chile she helped to edit the Spanish version and is now sharing it with her students along with fellow teachers and families as far away as Patagonia.
Also currently available in English, (e-book, and an audio CD) as well as French, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi and Dyslexic using the OpenDyslexic font for children who may be experiencing difficulty learning to read.
I was introduced to Dr. Rika Masuda a Clinical Psychology Professor of Human Sciences. from Ritsumeikan University in Japan. She was in Vancouver conducting some of her research work which focuses on the effects of Children’s Picture Books and Music Therapy. I have had the opportunity to assist her in classrooms using my book to gain first hand insight and knowledge into the response of children reading it. Dr. Masuda believes the book is a grounding tool for people of all ages, as well as for those who have survived a traumatic life experience. She is now using the book with her graduate students and in her volunteer work with earthquake survivors who have endured a traumatic life experience.
The book was showcased at the 9th Picture Book Healing fundraising event for earthquake survivors at the International School of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo. Dr. Masuda's students translated the book and along with Chance who currently lives in Japan, took turns reading each page alternately in both languages as the pages were projected on a large screen.
2017 - Langley - Canada
A retired elementary school principal read Things That Happen By Chance to a group of students at a Ministry of Education "Ready Set Learn" event in the Delta school district.
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to be continued....
Toronto Catholic District School Board is a multi-cultural and multi-language learning community. From research & experience they know that engaging students authentically leads to improved learning outcomes. They have placed the book on an annotated list of reading materials recommended for purchase in their schools to support culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy. In addition, they are including the book when they showcase reading selections in their Equity Professional Learning sessions.
2018 - Toronto - Canada
Best Books To Give To New Employees
In the workplace often times it is the little things that new employees should be aware of so they can easily fit in with co-workers. A great way to help is to give them a simple book they can read in 10 minutes. It will be a perfect reminder for them of some things to do and not to do as a new employee. The roughly 30 simple life lessons in the book are delivered in a fun and entertaining way. Things That Happen By Chance is a book about taking a closer look at the little things in life and sharing simple life lessons with everyone. It was originally written as a children’s book but adults are finding it useful as a pleasant reminder of what to do and not to do in their daily lives.
2019 U.K.
Starter Books For ESL Students That Make English Simple Things That Happen By Chance is a children’s picture book which easily helps to prompt the reader of what the English words may say. Available in several languages with two sets of text on each page it helps readers of all ages cross over from their native language to English.
Foreign Language Books for Children Things That Happen By Chance is a children’s book about taking a closer look at the little things in life and sharing simple life lessons. It is currently available in English, French, Spanish, Farsi, Arabic and Dyslexic with more translations planned. The translated editions support dual language learning with both English and another language appearing on each page. By having two languages displayed the book is fun and enjoyable to read for both children and parents who may be fluent in one language but not the other.
2019 U.K.
2019 U.K.
2018 U.K.
2019 U.K.
2019 U.K.
2019 U.K.
Beautiful Picture Books For Children Things That Happen By Chance picture book shares childhood photographs captured in moments of time of a real little boy named Chance. The book is about taking a closer look at the little things in life and sharing simple life lessons that are inclusive to all children.
5 Year Olds Should Read These Funny 8 Books. Things That Happen By Chance focuses on children learning and sharing simple life lessons. It is a perfect book with words and photographs for 5 years to read alone or with a parent or loved one. By reading the book together they can easily enjoy talking about the importance of learning these simple life lessons that they will use and share with others throughout their lifetime. The book also works as a great reminder for adults who often times forget to practice these simple life lessons in their own daily lives.
24 Best Ideas For A Creative Toddler Toddlers are at the age where they are just beginning to understand and explore their new world. Things That Happen by Chance is a children’s book about taking a closer look at the little things in life and sharing simple life lessons with children everywhere. The book is inclusive to all children no matter where they come from, where they live or their family structure, Both toddlers and caregivers alike will enjoy reading about a real little boy named Chance who is just like them, as he learns and shares his own life lessons in a fun and entertaining way.
8 Books To Read To Elementary Students (That Will Educate and Help them) Things That Happen By Chance which I authored is inclusive to all children no matter where you live, where you come from or your family structure. It is about taking a closer look at the little things in life and sharing simple life lessons with children everywhere. Lessons that include honesty, empathy, manners, respect, kindness, hygiene etc that are delivered in a fun and entertaining way by a real little boy.When a single copy of the book is read in a circle group of young elementary school children by an empathetic teacher it sparks great conversations as they openly discuss with one another their own thoughts, feelings and ideas with one another.
Review from a lady who lives in India: "I was going through this book yesterday and I believe that it is meant to be shared with those we care about. We have become so conditioned into disciplining our children with control and criticism we sometimes forget that the most profound lessons of life originate from love and acceptance."
2016 · India
I'm absolutely thrilled my book Things That Happen By Chance book has been selected and showcased in the Mom Blog Society 2019 Holiday Gift Guide.
PR Newswire engages Top Parenting, Family & Lifestyle influencers. Names Mom Blog Society in the top 4. Cision picks Mom Blog Society as the Number 1 Mom Blogger in the US.
https://momblogsociety.com/2019-holiday-gift-guide/
2019 - USA - Mom Blog Society
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March 2024 -
updated news information below
2018 - Vancouver - Canada
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2018 - Vancouver - Canada
I was asked by Dr. Masuda to read the book to a group of young mothers and their children at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre. It was an amazing experience for all of us simply because the lessons in the book are universal to everyone.
An audio CD is also available with Chance doing the narration. In the recording studio the sound engineer reworked his voice to sound similar to how he spoke as a child.
2018 - Classroom Circle Time
A member of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver has donated a copy of the book to the church. I am happy to say they have decided to add it to their library.
2018 - Vancouver - Nikkei Center
https://sheinformed.com/2019-holiday-gift-guide/
https://route249.com/2019-holiday-gift-guide/
https://thecountrygal.com/2019-holiday-gift-guide/
https://momsmedpedia.com/2019-holiday-gift-guide/
https://momblogsociety.com/2019-holiday-gift-guide/
This isn’t just any regular book series. These books were created with children in mind. The series is actually from the viewpoint of a little boy and how he sees the world as well. As the children see all the fun pictures, it gives everyone in the family a chance to communicate about them and talk about other fun memories together, too.
2019 - USA - Mom Blog Society
2019 - USA - Route 249 - Blog
2019 - USA - The Country Gal - Blog
2019 - USA - She Informed - Blog
2019 - USA - Mom Med Pedia - Blog
Princeton - BC Canada
Nicely displayed at the Winking Pedlar Gift Store in Princeton, BC.
Also featured in the following Holiday Gift Guide Blogs in the US.
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Over the past few years our world as we knew it was turned upside down. One of the many important messages we've learned and aimed at everyone in all countrys is the importance of rememering to WASH OUR HANDS regularly with soap and water. This helps to stop the spread of germs and Covid -19. When Chance was growing up I knew how important the simple life lesson of always remembering to wash your hands was for him to learn. We made sure to constantly remind him not to forget. We did this by not only telling him but also by him simply seeing us washing our hands often. This helped him learn by our example not to forget. It became automatic for him in his everyday life. He talks about this simple life lesson on pages 36 - 41.
2020 - Covid - 19 Message
I have created a FREE printable colour poster as a PDF that can easily be printed out on a computer anywhere in the world. The poster is a gentle reminder for all children to remember it is very important to always to wash your hands often to keep everyone Healthy and Safe.
We're also in the process of translating the poster into many languages. Please check back to this page to see the list as more translations become available. My goal is to keep adding as many languages as possible to reach children everywhere.
2020 - Poster in many Languages
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Always Remember to Wash Your Hands poster is available as a Free Full Colour Printable PDF download. (size 8.5 inches x 14 inches) (21 cm x 35 cm)
Questions? please feel free to contact me directly at: learnbychancebooks.com
IMPORTANT NOTE:
When printing poster please be sure to select the proper paper print size (legal) setting
FREE Printable Poster Now Available
2020 - Chance Poster
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I put the poster on my fence - A lady going by said it was a good reminder. Another read it, laughed and said she would wash her hands as soon as she got home! So we'll see if it stays there or someone removes it! But if that happens I can print off another one. Have a good day. Anne
Chile - Poster Feedback & Good News
PDF Printable Full Colour Posters
2018 - Vancouver - Canada
2017 - Vancouver - Canada
Things That Happen By Chance is easily ordered globally through most bookstores such as Blackwell's, Foyles, Waterstones UK. or contact us at secretquay@outlook.com
FREE PRINTABLE POSTER - Please see a sample with a list of the current languages available as a PDF file on page 3. Anyone should be able to print it in full color poster anywhere in the world.
Where to Purchase the Book
Feedback response I've been getting has been amazing. People are sharing the poster story with friends and colleagues and they in turn are coming forward sending us their translation so that their country and language is represented.
2020 - Poster News Surprise
2018 - Available languages
Book #2
More Things That Happen By Chance - coming soon
Book #3
Even More Things That Happen By Chance - coming soon
English, French, Spanish, Farsi, Arabic and Dyslexic
Videos posted by Dr. Rika Masuda. We had to speak slowly allowing Japanese people to understand as English is not their first language..
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parents
teachers
caregivers/daycare
kindergartens
preschools
primary schools
elementary schools
special needs school
Sunday schools
2020 - Poster is suitable for:
2020 - You Tube Videos Osaka Japan
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doctor/dentist offices
health clinics
community centers
public washrooms
children's hospitals
summer camps
fridge doors
child's bedroom
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More languages coming soon
2016 - 2019 - Vancouver - Canada
When the book was first published in 2016 I gave a copy to an ECE teacher who I had briefly met. In 2019 I had the opportunity to catch up with her again. She was delighted to tell me she has been sharing the book with all of her students since I first gave it to her and said It is such a fun and easy way for children to learn simple life lessons. As well she said the children can easily relate because the book is about a real child.
2010 - 2020 - Vancouver - Canada
It has now been over 10 years since the simple concept of writing a children's book as a high school graduation gift for my son Chance began. I can honestly say I never could have imagined or gave a thought to what my own personal learning experience writing this children's book would actually end up teaching me. I have to admit it has been a bumpy ride crammed full of both positives and negatives. Luckily the positive feedback far outweighs the negative which gives me the support and drive to continue writing.
A few years ago while visiting my mother over a cup of tea I asked if she had her life to live over would she have done anything different. She said yes, she would have become a primary school teacher. When I questioned why, she said she loved being around young children and teaching them about their new world. At that age their eyes and minds are so inquisitive and filled with wonder. They are very eager to learn.
2016 - Conversation with my Mother
2016 - November Anniversary & Promise
A few days before we lost Mom in her 91st year she said two things to me. I hope you continue to have a happy and loving life with your family and please promise me you will continue to write your children's books, Your book is wonderful as these simple life lessons and little messages are so very important and needed to be learned by children everywhere.
We hope this Christmas greeting finds you and your family “Happy, healthy and safe.”
2021 has certainly tested everyone’s perseverance in more ways than we ever thought imaginable.
We hope the New Year will bring a much needed reprieve from this crazy world and 2022 will be one to remember.
Lagoon Cottage - Bowen Island
Chance (painting age 12)
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2022 - Our New World - As We Presently Know It
The past few years have been extremely difficult the world over. We have all had to accept the endless hardships caused by the COVID pandemic, natural disasters, extreme temperatures, fires, floods, droughts, shortage of food, safe drinking water, etc. The list appears to be endless.
Needless to say for adults trying to navigate these changes that are compounded by the accompanying stresses one must not lose sight of the impact this has upon the young minds of our children. They are new to life in general as well as they are also trying to understand what is happening.
Adjusting to these challenges I am happy to say that I have once again begun to work on my second book More Things That Happen By Chance.
My hope is the 30 simple life lessons in this book will be as helpful to young children learning as the 30 lessons in Things That Happen By Chance. I plan to follow up with yet another 30 simple lessons in the final book of the series with Even More Things That Happen By Chance.
This will be the fulfillment of the commitment I made to my late mother.
"Please promise me Gail, you will continue to write your children's books."
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2016 - Member of Parliament Message
2018 - Circle Time - (con't)
what the next page was going to say. As we read together between each page there were incredible discussions among the children again as they shared openly and freely their own thoughts and ideas of what they felt the meaning of each lesson was in the book.
I have had the opportunity to gain first hand knowledge while assisting Dr. Masuda in multi-cultural classrooms with 3 – 5 year olds. What I discovered is that when the book is read in a circle group by an empathetic teacher it easily sparks great conversations among the children as they openly discuss with one another their own thoughts, ideas and feelings. In a group setting I found the children felt comfortable to offer their own feelings and insight on the various topics of discussion. This allowed them to work out a collective resolve of differences of opinions and feelings they may have at a young age. After approximately one month I would return to the same classroom and re-read the book with them during circle time. Not only did the children enjoy visiting the book again with me they also knew
Covid -19 - Wash Your Hands Poster for Children Everywhere
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2024 - Where is Chance Today
Chance received both his Bachelor of Education Degree and World Literature Degree at Simon Fraser University in BC. He returned to Vancouver 2 years ago after living in Japan for 4 years. While living abroad he taught English to students age 3 - 18 as well as he learned Japanese. His next goal is to work towards getting his Master's Degree in Education.