CANAAF Classroom Package

We’re Unique!

Written by Lauryn Harrison, Illustrated by JP Della Pia

Every child should feel heard and seen in the stories that they read. That’s why CANAAF created a colouring story book that children with Alopecia Areata can feel connected to. The book takes you through the journey of two children with Alopecia Areata as they recognize their special qualities and find friendship.

Where’s Your Hair Hannah?

By Hannah Catherine Green

Some people look, and some people stare – because she is bald where there’s usually hair. Hannah has lost her hair, which makes her look different from her classmates, and they don’t understand why. This is a story about how Hannah lost her hair, and about learning the importance of understanding and celebrating differences.

My Hair went on Vacation

By Paula Quinn

This story is about Rosie, who lives in Chicago. Within three weeks she lost all of her hair and asked, “Where did it go?” This book invites you to join the adventure with a confident bald girl, who tells us “bald is beautiful!”

What’s Silly Hair Day with No Hair

By Norene Paulson

This picture book tells the story of Bea, who has alopecia areata. With silly hair day approaching, Bea and her best friend Shaleah are focused on finding a way for everyone to take part.

Shreya’s Very Own Style

By Suhani Parikh

This is a story about self-love and acceptance. Though Shreya is a champion on the soccer field, the coolest scientist at her school and dances like a star, she just can’t seem to figure out how else to style her hair. After all, how would she explain the patches on her head with no hair at all?

The Girl With No Hair: A Story About Alopecia Areata 

By Elizabeth Murphy-Melas

This story follows Kelly from her alopecia diagnosis as a small child, to coping with the social and emotional implications of her condition, to gaining the understanding and acceptance of her peers and teachers.

Who Are You?: Ella the Enchanted Princess 

By Rosaria L. Calafati

This story is about a young princess named Ella, different from other princesses. Ella had no hair. She often tries to hide her head with scarves and headbands and doesn’t like looking into mirrors. Ella always dreams of one day exploring beyond the majestic doors of the castle. However, to do that, she must pass through the Grand Hall, but there are so many dreaded mirrors on the walls. These mirrors are the guardians of the castle, and will not let anyone pass unless they are recognized. Join Ella on her first adventure through the Grand Hall!

Celeste and the Wig Shop

By Chauna Payne

This story is the third book in the Heavenly Hair Ever After series. Celeste is getting ready for her first fashion show and trying to decide whether or not to wear a wig. Will other kids make fun of her? Will she still look like herself? Read Celeste and The Wig Shop to find out!

Princess Alopecia

By Yaacov Peterseil

This is a story about Princess Alopecia, who always stars as Princess Rapunzel in the Rapunzel Festival, until one day she finds a clump of hair on her pillow.

Bald is Brave and Beautiful

Written and hand illustrated by Sophia Rutherford

Herman

By Lars Saabye Christensen

Eleven-year-old Herman is not that different from other boys-except that he is going bald. Presented with this dilemma, Herman uses his fertile imagination and comical viewpoint on life to navigate through the rough seas commonly known as “growing up.” In the process, he teaches everyone something about friendship, courage, acceptance, and love.

The Water War

By Kevin Miller

When a beautiful new girl moves to Milligan Creek, everyone in town is so smitten that her mere presence threatens to ruin the perfect summer that Matt has planned for him, his brother, Chad, and their best friends, Andrew and Dean. So, the boys come up with what seems like the perfect distraction: a water war. It’s the ultimate game of survival, where every player is both hunter and prey. But when Matt’s buddies invite the new girl to join in, the game that was supposed to unite them against the interloper threatens to tear their close friendship apart.

Because of Anya

By Margaret Peterson Haddix

This is a story about a ten-year-old girl with alopecia areata, her difficulties in school, and the importance of friendship.

Head-On, Stories of Alopecia

By Deann K Callis Graham

This book covers the courageous journeys of over 75 men, women, and children as they find their way after being diagnosed with alopecia areata. Their discovery of acceptance, adaptability, and finally celebration are intertwined in these thought-provoking inspiring stories and captivating photos.

The Art of Getting Stared At

By Laura Langston

Sixteen-year-old Sloane is given the biggest opportunity of her life—a chance for a film school scholarship—but she only has less than two weeks to produce a video. Then comes a horrifying discovery: Sloane finds a bald spot on her head. The pink patch, no bigger than a quarter, shouldn’t be there. Neither should the bald spots that follow. Horror gives way to devastation when Sloane is diagnosed with alopecia areata. Determined to produce her video and keep her condition secret, Sloane finds herself turning into the kind of person she has always mocked: someone obsessed with their looks. She’s also forced to confront a painful truth: she is as judgmental as anyone else … but she saves the harshest judgments for herself.

Mum, where is your hair? 

By Alicia Gleeson-Cherneski

Join a curious child search here, there and everywhere, for their mother’s hair. Every page is an illustration of an imaginative adventure, taking the child on a fun journey to realise that their mother’s hair loss is nothing to fear.

Nowhere Hair

By Susan Glader

This story is about a little girl who knows two things: Her mom’s hair is not on her head anymore, so therefore it must be somewhere around the house. After searching the obvious places, the story reveals that her mother, although going through cancer treatment, is still silly, attentive, happy and yes, sometimes very tired and cranky. She learns that she didn’t cause the cancer, can’t catch it, and that Mommy still is very much up for the job of mothering. The book, written in rhyme, explains hats, scarves, wigs, going bald in public, and the idea of being nice to people who may look a little different than you.

Dad’s Bald Head

By Paul Many

Pete’s dad has very little hair to comb. One day while shaving, he shaves off every single one of his scrawny, scraggly hairs. Pete isn’t sure what to think of his new, bald Dad. As Pete’s parents help him to embrace this shiny, new, bald head, young readers will recognize the challenge of dealing with changes, big and small, in their own lives.

Overcoming Adversity

Destiny’s Purpose

By Shannon Cassidy-Rouleau

This is a story about Destiny, an alpaca with a promising future in the show ring until his owners make a shocking discovery–his fleece is falling out and soon he is bald! Could it be that Destiny’s purpose is not the one that everyone expects, but the one that no one has imagined? Anyone who has struggled to overcome obstacles or supported someone else will identify with the characters in this touching read-aloud.

Building Self-Esteem

How Full is Your Bucket

By Mary Reckmeyer and Tom Rath

Felix begins to see how every interaction in a day either fills or empties his bucket. Felix then realizes that everything he says or does to other people fills or empties their buckets as well. Follow along with Felix as he learns how easy it can be to fill the buckets of his classmates, teachers and family members, and in doing so, his own too.

Building Self-Esteem

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun – Having Courage to be Who You Are

By Maria Dismondy

How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy’s defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

Building Self-Esteem

You Are Special

By Max Lucado

In this world of little wooden people called Wemmicks, Eli the woodcarver helps one little Wemmick named Punchinello understand how special he is–no matter what other Wemmicks may think. It’s a vital message for children everywhere: that regardless of how the world evaluates them, God cherishes each of them, just as they are.

Living with a difference

Wonder

By R.J. Palacio

This is a story about August Pullman, who was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.

Standing Up to Bullying

Say Something

By Peggy Moss

The say something book follows the journey of a girl who chose to be a silent observer. At her school, there were some children who were pushed and bullied but she sees it happening. Then one day something happens that shows her that being a silent bystander isn’t enough. Will she take some steps on her own to help another kid? Could it be as simple as sitting on the bus with the girl no one has befriended (and discovering that she has a great sense of humor)

Standing Up to Bullying

Just Kidding

By Trudy Ludwig

A joke that has a sharp edge to it can cut you to pieces. That’s what D.J. finds out from his encounters with Vince, a smart-aleck classmate whose biting humor is more hurtful than funny. With the help of his dad and teacher, D.J. learns how to stand up to put downs and make healthier friendship choices. This book includes useful tips, discussion questions and additional information to help young readers understand that one-sided fun really isn’t much fun after all.

Standing Up to Bullying

My Secret Bully

By Trudy Ludwig

Here is the all-too-familiar story of Monica.  She and Katie have been friends since kindergarten.  Monica loves being around her when she’s nice.  But there are times when Katie can be just plain mean.  And Monica doesn’t understand why. Monica is a target of relational aggression, emotional bullying among friends who will use name-calling and manipulation to humiliate and exclude.  But with a little help from a supportive adult—her mother—Monica learns to cope and thrive by facing her fears and reclaiming power from her bully.