Partnering with Children’s Literacy Organizations to Bring Violet’s Song’s Message to More Kids

In the fall of 2025, CanadaHelps published its first children’s book, Violet’s Song, a beautifully illustrated picture book about a purple finch named Violet whose songs bring joy to the whole forest. When Violet gets hurt and her music fades, Scarlett Squirrel has to find the courage to help her friend, even when she feels like she doesn’t have what it takes.

It’s a heartwarming story for kids aged 4 to 7 about empathy, teamwork, and discovering that everyone has something special to give. The story is meant to encourage children to see themselves as helpers in their homes and communities, and to spark intergenerational conversations between children and adults.

Putting Books on Shelves Across Canada

Why is early literacy vital for empathy? The Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation shares that “early literacy builds understanding of others’ experiences, making it a foundation for empathy and healthy relationships.”

At CanadaHelps, we want to grow a culture of generosity in Canada and building empathy and collective action are essential tenants. This is why we were thrilled to provide copies of Violet’s Song to these literacy organizations that are all working toward a world where children can reach their full potential.

Children’s Reading Room (CRR) in Guelph is a charitable family resource organization that promotes early literacy development and a love of books and reading. Whenever anyone visits the CRR, they leave with free children’s books to keep, read, love and cherish for as long as they wish.

The Children’s Book Bank (Toronto) is a registered charitable organization committed to advancing equity in literacy and is guided by our BOOKS principle: Belonging, Options, Opportunities, Knowledge, and Sustainability. We believe in creating spaces of belonging where children feel welcomed and supported. By offering options, we empower children to choose their own books and build a love of reading. These choices open up new opportunities for children and families to enrich their lives.

1000X5 (Vancouver Island) is based upon research that reading to babies and toddlers is the single greatest factor to develop a child’s brain and hence educational future. Many families do not have resources to buy books and thus do not have access to this crucial introduction to reading and learning. Picture books are donated, they are then sorted, cleaned, and packaged by skilled retired teachers and administrators. Beautiful gift bags are then distributed monthly to 800-1000 families in over 70 programs by 27 community agencies. 1000X5 has sent over 380,000 books into homes that need them.

BGC St Alban’s Club was founded in 1949 and serves over 2000 members a year at our founding clubhouse plus 1000 more in 18 satellite sites including locations in three United Way identified priority neighbourhoods. Passionate, well trained staff and volunteers lead a diverse range of programs and services such as daycare, early years programs, after school programs, sports and recreation programs, youth leadership programs, summer camp, aquatic lessons, tutoring, mentoring, arts programs, employment readiness programs and more.

The Reading Partnership works with local partners and parents to promote and improve literacy in the communities that need it the most. We know that improving literacy leads to greater academic achievement and outcomes in personal/community health, employability, safety and community connectedness. TRP creates and delivers literacy-focused programs and resources that empower children in the early years, and their families, to be successful at all stages of life.

First Book Canada is working to ensure that kids in need have as much opportunity as possible, to build a healthy future for themselves and the rest of Canadians. By building up the home libraries of children from low-income and historically excluded communities, we work to develop resilient communities and reduce the educational inequities that entrench many Canadians in poverty. A child’s “first book” is not necessarily their first reading experience – it is that first book that they connect with, which sets them on a lifelong path of learning and inspiration. A book can unlock a child’s own story.

Little Red Reading House (Calgary) welcomes families, school groups and other organizations to visit, explore the different whimsical reading rooms full of books, enjoy a read-along with a house host, and pick a book to take home and keep forever.

Tools to Raise Generous Kids

We’ve put together some great, free resources for kids and families to find ways they can be “helpers” in their communities, as well as curriculum guides for teachers. Plus, there are more ideas for ways kids can be helpers in their communities within the book.