Strong Voices

Since 2011 the IHC Library has given a free book to every parent or primary caregiver who registers to join.

More than 6300 families have received a free book through the library’s Free Book Scheme over the last 14 years, and now the books that are part of the scheme are having a major refresh.

Head of Library and Information Resourcing Phil Clarke says that while much of the advice in the library is timeless, a lot has changed in the last ten years.

“There’s so much more information available and a lot of new voices - especially for people with neurodiversity,” says Phil. “It’s time for us to update the Free Book Scheme to reflect that.”

The new titles for the Free Book Scheme have been chosen to incorporate some of the latest thinking about neurodiversity including up-to-date language and definitions. The new books are also simpler to understand and easier to read. Phil cites Chanelle Moriah’s book I am Autistic as an important example.

“Chanelle is a young New Zealander with autism and is also a member of the IHC library. Her book is a straightforward, accessible insight into what it means to be autistic.”

The new titles:

• Supporting your Child with Special Needs by Rachel R Jorgenson (General intellectual disability)
• Where do I Start? How to navigate the emotional journey of autism parenting by Kate Laine-Toner (Parents of an autistic child under 5)
• A Different Kind of Parenting by Eliza Fricker (Parent of an autistic child 5-11)
• I am Autistic: An interactive and informative guide to autism (by someone diagnosed with it) by Channelle Moriah (Parents of autistic teenagers)

For existing library members interested in these new titles, you aren’t eligible for another free book as it’s one per family, but all these books can be borrowed from the IHC Library – for free. Many are also available for free through the IHC Library to download as ebooks and read on your own device.

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Image caption: Author and Illustrator of A Different Kind of Parenting, Eliza Fricker.