Bibi Returns to School
by Christiane N. Dunia

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After months in the hospital, eight-year-old Bibi can’t wait to see her friends again. But as she gets ready for her first day back, her tummy flutters with nerves. What will her classmates think of her braces and the feeding tube in her nose? And will she ever catch up in math? With gentle encouragement from her mom, a caring teacher, and kind friends, Bibi learns that asking for help is brave, and that confidence and friendship can grow, one small step at a time. Inspired by a true story, Bibi Returns to School is a touching celebration of resilience, inclusion, and the power of community. Perfect for classroom read-alouds and family storytime, this uplifting book helps children understand and embrace differences. It is a reminder to each and every reader that we all learn and grow at our own pace.

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Christiane Dunia is a writer, poet, and journalist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She holds a degree in Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications from the University of Winnipeg and has worked as a journalist for La Liberté newspaper. Her French slam poetry has appeared in several collections, and she has received third place awards at both the Kitabu Festival Short Story Competition (Congo, 2010) and the Prix Paroles Urbaines Slam Poetry Competition (Belgium, 2017). Inspired by her niece Brigitte’s journey of recovery from complications of sickle cell anemia, Bibi Returns to School is Christiane’s first children’s picture book. Through her storytelling, she hopes to promote empathy and inclusion for children living with chronic illness. When she’s not writing, Christiane enjoys reading short stories, playing board games, and spending time with her many nieces and nephews, who continue to inspire her love for children’s literature. Follow her on Instagram @christa.dunia, Facebook (Christiane Dunia), or YouTube @Christa D.

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Contributors

Author

Christiane N. Dunia

Illustrator

Afton Jane