Skip to content

New children's book celebrates kindness, inclusion

New West resident holds book launch at River Market Dec. 10
Grayson Smith, There's a Norseman in the Classroom, Peppermint Toast
New West resident Grayson Smith launches his new book, There's a Norseman in the Classroom, in a special event at River Market Dec. 10.

It’s a timely lesson in inclusion and kindness – and it’s coming in the form of a children’s book.

New Westminster resident Grayson Smith is launching his newest kids’ book, There’s a Norseman in the Classroom!, with a special event at River Market on Dec. 10.

The book – with illustrations by award-winning illustrator Timothy Banks - tells the tale of the first day of school, when a classroom of Grade 2 students find themselves joined by a wild and woolly barbarian from the Far North. Through its kid-friendly story, it explores how classroom cultures can be shaped towards acceptance and inclusion.

“Teaching inclusion to kids is important and simple: inclusion looks exactly like kindness,” Smith said in a press release. “Being generous, friendly and considerate is something that everyone can do and can have a big impact on the people who receive it.”

Smith hopes those who read the book will begin to recognize the “Norsemen” in their own lives and learn to accept those who may be perceived as different.

“It seems that, depending on people’s attitudes, a classroom can develop into a place of either inclusion or exclusion of people who come across differently,” he said.

Smith, who has been a police officer since 2008, started writing children’s books as a creative outlet when he found that writing – especially about light-hearted topics – helped him to maintain perspective in the face of his job.

He started an independent small press, Peppermint Toast Publishing, which focuses on the production of children’s picture books by new and emerging authors, and profit-sharing partnerships with local charities.

For the Norseman, Smith is partnering with Special Olympics British Columbia to help athletes with intellectual disabilities - $2 from every copy sold will be donated to the organization.

The book launch is a free, family-friendly event that will include creative programming for kids, an author reading, raffle prizes and book signings.

It’s set to run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at River Market’s community square (upstairs).

Check out www.pepperminttoast.com for details.