A children’s book about a group of animal teammates who are all different, but have fun being on a team together.  We Can Play! introduces kids to Coach Roary who adapts team play to make it fun for everyone. Readers also learn about his team who each like to play for different reasons and benefit from different kinds of help.  The book focuses on:

• characters that kids can identify with
• adapting team play to meet player’s needs
• making team play fun
• the idea that team play can be for everyone

The end of the book includes ideas for adults who want to make sure their team/program is inclusive and fun for all kids. We Can Play! is a book inspired and commissioned by Can Play, a non-profit organization who runs inclusive programs for all kids.

A Certified Child Life Specialist in the hospital for 15 years, author Laura Camerona has built her career around helping children cope during stressful experiences. Laura has a unique range of knowledge and experience. She has experience working with children with a large variety of health problems and has an understanding of the hospital system and children’s common questions. In addition, Laura has helped support children with loved ones in the CCU, the cancer center, the NICU and the maternity center.

Laura is a mom of three children herself. She has a real understanding of how busy life can be. She knows that we all want to support our children through their challenges, but time flies and best intentions sometimes don’t get fulfilled. She hopes that her books help families develop a vocabulary and common knowledge, that will lead to more meaningful conversations in the car or at the dinner table. While Laura enjoys working directly with children, she has found that by giving caretakers the words to explain she can strengthen the family unit and set them up to get through hard things together.

Laura continues to create additional resources for children and families. In addition, Laura has founded a unique business that creates customized children’s books about a loved one who has died or about a diagnosis or stressful event that the family is experiencing.

Melissa Clark-Wharff embarked on a personal mission by starting Can Play Adapted, driven by the desire to create opportunities for her son, Jack, to engage in activities despite the obstacles he faced after enduring six strokes at the age of 8.   The folks at Can Play work to cultivate an environment where kids living with barriers can be active and have a sense of belonging.

They create adapted programs that cater to diverse physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that are essential for ensuring that everyone can experience the joy and benefits of play. They also empower individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.

Their vision, “Where Play Has No Limits” is a guiding principle that can inspire others to embrace diversity and create a more inclusive community by providing opportunities for everyBODY to play and thrive!