This is the way we turn ordinary moments into meaningful learning opportunities
Cartoons are for entertainment.
Real photos are for learning.
These books look quiet on purpose.
Learning is harder when children are overwhelmed with images.
A lack of blank space makes early literacy almost impossible.
White space is not empty.
It is where a child finds the words, the photo, and themselves.
Cartoons often lean on exaggeration and quick visual gags that prioritize distraction over depth.
When children are presented with real photography and clean, unhurried layouts, they build focus.
This intentional design respects the child's natural pace, allowing them to absorb visual information as it appears in the real world.
Wash Our Hands • Blow Our Nose • Catch Our Cough • Wait Our Turn • Play Together • Share • Say Goodbye • Sit At Circle • Care For Our Art Supplies • Put Our Toys Away • Get Dressed For The Day • Ride The School Bus • Visit The Library • Play At The Playground • Make Friends • Play Fair • Take Our Time • Listen To A Story • Exercise • Use An Indoor Voice (Coming soon)
We're always updating our catalogue. Come back and look often.
The perfect set to start September: every title is CA $18.99 each, available on Amazon.
About the Author
Rachelle Spencer has spent 15 years working with young children at various non-profit organizations.
A proud mom to two grown boys and a West Coast resident, she created the This is the way we… series after struggling to find simple, high quality everyday learning books.
These stories were born from her desire to turn ordinary moments into meaningful learning opportunities.
As the founder of Gentle Hands Children's Press, she writes in a child's first-person voice.
Her work grows from years of sitting on the floor with toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners alike, watching how they learn by doing, repeating, seeing, and being talked to clearly and respectfully.
Gentle Hands Children's Press is an independent publisher creating a growing collection of short, first-person picture books.
Each title takes an everyday skill and lets a child narrator show how it's done, with patience, pride, and a gentle tone.
We believe children learn best when the language feels authentic, the pictures look real, and the message is delivered with kindness instead of scolding.
The books are designed to be read over and over at home, school, daycare, and early learning programs.
These also make strong resource books.
Teachers, daycare educators, and early learning programs can use them at circle time and throughout the day for real routines: washing hands, waiting a turn, sharing, saying goodbye.
Look inside
Flip through a few pages
Let's Talk Books
We love hearing from readers and educators! Reach out to learn more about our inclusive book series or to collaborate on future projects.
Email us: ghcp2026@gmail.com