Read and ride along
with your child

Join Opey, Molly, and Tinker as they
prepare for bumps in the road.

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Tires, Wires & Brakes

Inspired by research on how our brain fuels our behaviour, the Tires, Wires & Brakes series highlights the importance of using our calm with children to co-regulate, so children can then self-regulate and find their own calm. 

A tool for caregivers and educators  alike, Opey books are available in two formats:

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Discover Opey's Adventures 

These relatable stories support adults and children in talking about their emotions,
their responses to new situations, and in book four, their brains.

Caregivers and educators alike can respond to invitations to reflect on
their emotions and coping strategies. 

OPEY NEEDS A REPAIR

Join Opey, Molly, and Tinker in the big city!

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OPEY GETS OVERHEATED

Join Opey, Molly, and Tinker as they head to the beach!

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OPEY TAKES A BREAK

Join Opey, Molly and Tinker as they travel to a dinosaur park!

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OPEY HAS A BRAINSTORM

Join Opey, Molly and Tinker as they learn about the brain!

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Opey talks about the 
brain with Dr. Jean Clinton

After learning how to talk about big feelings and how to regulate emotions in books one, two and three, Opey joins Dr. Clinton in book four to hear about how the brain is a big part of it all.

From Our Readers

This book series provides children, families and educators with many teachable moments as we learn more about finding our sense of calm when we experience big emotions!

Kim DeGasperis, Student Achievement Consultant / K-G3

Through relatable stories and whimsical illustrations, the books create soft teaching moments around feeling big feelings. Tools to help those feelings change, and the important idea that: together, we can do this.

Loa Zilles, Teaching & Learning Consultant

All of the readers in my household appreciate the strategies and tools supporting regaining calm. It is amazing that taking a deep breath, drinking some water, and visualizing our favourite things can help us recalibrate. Clearly, these simple strategies are timeless!

Parent / Children aged two & four

Meet the Authors

Debbie Azim Fleming, MSW, RSW

Debbie thanks her mother for sparking a love of reading, in her early years in Guyana; she recalls eagerly anticipating library trips with her sister to find their new favourite stories. After immigrating with her family to Canada, Debbie’s path took her to Waterloo, Ontario where she studied Psychology and Social Work and now lives with her spouse.

Debbie has been committed to supporting the health of children and families throughout her career. She currently practices as a trauma informed Registered Social Worker, and is an adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University. Debbie has enjoyed joining Our Place to bring this book series to life, and to share about the importance of relationships in keeping us connected and whole.

Kathleen Matharoo, RECE

Kathleen spent her childhood years asking for paper and crayons, spending a lifetime practicing her love of drawing and painting. During her 25-year career as an Early Childhood Educator, she enjoys sharing and reading books to children, learning how to tell a story to invite children in with their imaginations.

Kathleen is deeply grateful to her family and ancestors for guiding her on her journey to co-author this book series, to fulfill a lifelong dream. Illustrations drew inspiration from her two shining stars, her greatest teachers.

As the illustrator of this book series Kathleen has worked from her heart to create a story that could be told beyond the words on the page.

This book series, was initiated by Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Our Place offered innovative child and family centered programs for over forty years.

Thank you.

We dedicate these books to everyone
who has been a part of Our Place.

Questions?
Get in touch.

All rights reserved. No part of this book, content, or illustrations, may be altered, adapted, or used in any way without permission. Permission to print for non-commercial, personal, or educational purposes, with no derivatives or adaptations, and credit given to authors.

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