Daisy is already an accomplished author of post-secondary educational materials such as Interpersonal and Group Dynamics, 3rd Edition, and she continues to create new courses for educational institutions, develop supplementary resources for publishers, and review new textbooks prior to publication. Daisy’s first book, however, was actually Different is Good which she authored for a school project during her social service worker program. It’s been 20 years, but Different is Good is coming soon!

Daisy and I were fortunate to find a talented illustrator with a unique style for this project, Leland Harris! We each bring our own differences to the team and identify with various elements of the story, a story which is based on Daisy’s real-life experiences. This project has been a true collaboration in every sense of the word. What I enjoy about Daisy’s work and is that it has the power to start conversations. Daisy doesn’t shy away from challenging topics but approaches them with honesty, curiosity, and empathy. This book is a gift that allows children to appreciate and embrace their own differences and those of others. Congratulations, Daisy and Leland!

About the Book

Daisy-Mae is different. She doesn’t look the same as her friends and she doesn’t have the same things as her friends. She doesn’t even act like her friends do. Even her family tells her how to look and act. It takes a trip to another country to change her mind about herself. Everyone is different on the inside and outside. And being different is good!

“Different is Good” is based on real events in the author’s own life story.

About the Author

Daisy-Mae Hamelinck completed her Master of Arts in the Department of Sociology at McMaster University. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts (Wilfrid Laurier University), Bachelor of Education-Primary/Junior (University of Toronto), and a Social Service Worker Diploma (Fanshawe). Daisy’s first co-authored book, “Interpersonal and Group Dynamics: A Practical Guide to Building an Effective Team” (3rd Edition) was published in 2018 and is currently used in colleges across Canada. Daisy has taught for 20+ years in post-secondary settings and is currently teaching at Fanshawe College and Western University.

As a two-time cancer survivor, Daisy has presented regularly with the Terry Fox Foundation and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. She has appeared on local TV stations to discuss her health journey. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome. It is through these experiences that she often raises awareness and speaks about the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). She is also a primary caregiver for two aging parents with various mental and physical health issues. Daisy keeps herself balanced by spending time with loved ones, practicing yoga and meditation, attending church regularly, and travelling nationally/internationally.

Daisy strives to live her best life and enables others to do the same through workshops and one-on-one sessions at her success coaching business, Your New Leaf, helping participants develop life skills, set and achieve goals, and engage in creative problem solving using the 8 dimensions of wellness.

About the Illustrator

Leland Harris has been drawing for as long as he can remember. As a kid, he would go to the library and check out as many “how to draw” books as he could carry. Nowadays, he’s busy completing his Bachelor’s of Music and starting his Bachelor’s of Education, with the dream of teaching music or art. In his spare time, he likes to write music, crochet, and of course, draw.

As a transgender person, he is very excited to share the message that “Different is Good”, especially to every kid who feels different from everyone else. He has found joy in his different-ness, and hopes that everyone reading will as well.