Books By DPA Weston & D E-Collen


The Girl Who Couldn’t Read: Until she discovered her superpowers

Once there was a girl who couldn’t read…until she discovered her superpowers. Based on a true story, this book highlights the author’s struggle with learning how to read, write, and deal with the anxiety of having a learning disability. This book shows how all people can overcome a learning disability through persistence, resilience, and a growth mindset.


DPA Weston, the author, is an elementary teacher who works with students with special education needs. Despite her learning disability, Ms. Weston holds degrees in Science, Business, and Education. DPA Weston loves helping students discover their own super powers.

Leena AK, the illustrator, is a grade 5 student. She loves art, reading, writing and history. When she grows up, Leena would like to be a fashion designer, a history professor, an artist, and a writer who publishes her own books. Ms. Weston was her grade 3 teacher.

Watch it online at …

Westoka Books YouTube Channel – YouTube

Available via

The Boy Who Lost His Attention: Until he discovered his superpowers!

Once there was a boy who lost his attention … until he discovered his superpowers. Based on a true story, this book highlights how an attention deficit diagnosis can explain children’s behaviour in school and at home and the struggle and frustration that follows for children, their parents, and their teachers. This book shares strategies on how to deal with an attention deficit diagnosis and how to manage the resultant behaviour. The book also recognizes a common family arrangement where children are parented by families who live separately but parent together. The book, The Boy Who Lost His Attention, shows how all people can overcome a learning challenge through persistence, resilience, and a growth mindset.


DPA Weston, the author, is an elementary teacher who works with students with special education needs in Ontario, Canada. In addition to teaching, Dr. Weston isa writer, instructor, volunteer, and advocate for human rights. DPA Weston loves helping students discover their own super powers.

Leena AK, the illustrator, is a grade 5 student. She loves art, reading, writing, and history. When she grows up, Leena would like to be a fashion designer, a history professor, an artist, and a writer who publishes her own books. Ms. Weston was her grade 3 teacher.

Watch it online at …

The Boy Who Lost His Attention Part 2

Available via

The Girl Who Lost Her Joy: Until she discovered her superpowers

Once there was a girl who lost her joy … until she discovered her superpowers.

Based on a true story, this book highlights how an anxiety disorder can explain children’s behaviour in school and at home and the struggle and frustration that follows for children, their parents, and their teachers. This book shares strategies on how to deal with anxiety issues and how to manage the resultant behaviour.

The book also recognizes a common family arrangement where children are parented by families who live separately but parent together. The book, The Girl Who Lost Her Joy, shows how all people can overcome a mental health challenge through persistence, resilience, and a growth mindset.


DPA Weston, the author, is an elementary teacher who works with students with special education needs in Ontario, Canada. In addition to teaching, Dr. Weston is a writer, instructor, volunteer, and advocate for human rights. DPA Weston loves helping students discover their own super powers.

Amanda Shotton, the illustrator, is an artist with a background in advertising and computer animation who lives in Ontario, Canada. Ms. Shotton loves to show the beauty of life and tell stories with her art.

Watch it online at …

Westoka Books YouTube Channel – YouTube

Available via

There’s a Monster in My House

As children, we all believe in monsters, but when we grow up, we tell ourselves they were never real, and that we only imagined them. But there are true monsters in the world. Disguising themselves as ordinary people, they take out their anger and frustration on children to make themselves feel strong and powerful.

So how can we tell the difference between actual people and the monsters?

This book tells a story of one family that welcomes someone into their home, thinking they are good and kind. The monster quickly gives itself away though, with its strange behaviour, which makes the child feel very uncomfortable.

Not respecting someone’s personal space or privacy, encouraging children to keep secrets from others … there are lots of warning signs to look out for, and this story describes them, teaching children exactly what to do if they find a monster in their house, or anywhere else, or even suspect that someone they have come into contact with might be one. And it reminds parents, teachers, and anyone one else who cares about protecting children to always listen, believe, and do whatever they can to help.

Note to parents and guardians: Though very important, this book contains subject matter that young children might find disturbing or frightening. Please exercise caution and sensitivity when introducing to younger children.


As a teacher of children with special needs and a survivor of childhood abuse herself, D E-Collen knows the importance of protecting children from abuse and teaching children about their own human rights, including the right to protect themselves. With this book, There’s a Monster in My House: A Book About Children’s Human Rights, she hopes to educate children and adults alike on how to address and deal with any sort of threat to a child’s well-being―knowledge that she dearly hopes will make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children in order to protect them from potential abuse.

D E-Collen currently lives in Oakville, Canada, with her husband and their dog, Oliver. She has two adult children.

Watch it online at …

Westoka Books YouTube Channel – YouTube

Available via

Il y a un Monstre chez moi: Un livre sur les droit de l’homme des enfants

Enfants, nous croyions tous aux monstres, mais en grandissant, nous nous disons qu’ils n’étaient pasréels et n’existaient que dans notre imagination. En fait,il existe de vrais monstresautour de nous. Ils se déguisent en personnes ordinaires, ils déversent leur colère et leurs frustrations sur les enfants pour se sentir forts et puissants.

Alors, comment peut-on faire la différence entre les personnes ordinaires et les monstres ?

Ce livre raconte l’histoire d’une famille qui accueille chez elle quelqu’un qui a l’airgentil et aimable. Le monstre se trahit rapidement avec ses comportements étranges qui mettent l’enfant très mal à l’aise.

Ne pas respecter l’espace personnel ou l’intimité de quelqu’un, encourager l’enfant à garder des secrets… il existe beaucoup de signes avant-coureurs à surveiller et cette histoire les décrit, elle expliqueaux enfants exactement ce qu’ils doivent faire s’ils trouvent un monstre chez eux ou ailleurs, ou même s’ils soupçonnent qu’une personne qu’ils ont rencontré peut être un monstre. Cette histoire rappelle aux parents, aux enseignants et à quiconque qui se soucie de la protection des enfants de toujours écouter, croire et faire tout ce qui est en leur pouvoir pour les aider.

Remarque pour les parents et les tuteurs: Bien que très important, ce livre contient des sujets qui pourraient effrayer ou dérangerles jeunes enfants. Veuillez faire preuve de prudence et de sensibilité lorsque vous présentez ce matériel aux jeunes enfants.


En tant qu’enseignante pour enfants ayant desbesoins particuliers et survivante adulte de l’abusdans l’enfance, D. E.-Collen reconnaît l’importance de protéger les enfants contre les abus et éduquer les enfants sur leurs propres droits fondamentaux, y compris le droit de se protéger. Avec ce livre, Il y a un monstre chez moi :Un livre sur les droits fondamentaux de l’enfant, elle espère éduquer les enfants et les adultes pour leur permettre dedonner suiteetlutter contreles menacesau bien-être de l’enfant ;Elle espère sincèrement que ce savoir nécessairecontribuera à changer la vie des enfants vulnérables et les protégeracontre d’éventuels abus.

D. E.-Collen vit actuellement à Oakville, au Canada, avec son mari et leur chien, Oliver. Elle a deux enfants adultes.

Regardez-le en ligne à l’adresse …

Disponible à l’adresse