Introductory Book on HIV/AIDS

About the Book

This educational tool will not only provide information about HIV/AIDS, it will also allow you to explore other topics, with your child, such as compassion, creating alternatives to watching television, empathy, empowerment, making wise choices, responsibility, risky behaviour, self-concept, self-efficacy, and so much more. It is therefore a wonderful precursor to those necessary adolescent discussions. The book is a great resource for school libraries, guidance counselors, other educators, and parents.

The simple but effective ways that the concepts are presented are guaranteed to spark many discussions and create many teachable moments. The book is full of age-appropriate activities, thought provoking questions, instructive dialogues, poetry, vignettes, interesting short stories, and much more.

Some of the major benefits of using this book, as a school-library resource or as part of the guidance curriculum, will therefore be:

• To provide factual information about HIV/AIDS in an age appropriate and child friendly format.
  
• To assist children to understand and to think differently about the stigma and discrimination that seems to retard efforts toward HIV prevention.
  
• To allow both educators and students to discuss sensitive issues objectively and safely.
  
• Since HIV/AIDS may be considered a symptom of other issues, the broad spectrum of issues covered in this book will provide opportunities to cover many topics across the guidance/character building curriculum.

In this era when, globally, more and more persons between the ages of 15 and 24 are contracting HIV, it will never be too soon to introduce our children to the topic, but, in a balanced way. That is exactly what this book will do for the children that are in our care. This educational tool is probably one of the most meaningful investments that we will make for our children. Let's start the discussions on HIV/AIDS Now!

About the Author

Joan A. Rostant is currently working as a guidance counselor with the public school system. After seventeen years as a career banker, she made the courageous decision to change her profession. This led her to complete an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Sciences, with a minor in English. In 2000, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA, through their affiliated degree program with Caribbean Union College. After graduating, she taught at a private secondary school. She then completed a Master's Degree in Education in the area of Guidance and Counseling with Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, and she is in the process of completing a second Master's Degree in Special Education.

Rostant received two scholarships from P.E. O International and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society to conduct research in the area of HIV prevention. Her Master's thesis, Protecting the vulnerable: Towards an empowerment approach to HIV prevention, has caused her to ponder upon the future possibilities of children everywhere. She is convinced that children who are born in this era, in which HIV/AIDS continues to be a grim reality, deserve to be continuously educated on the topic.

Rostant also enjoys writing and telling stories. This gift she attributes to her wonderful altruistic grandmother, who always had children around her, and from whom she learnt many stories including Bible stories and stories about folk characters. As a child, folk characters were her favorite. She has successfully combined the insights form her research with her love of children and storytelling to compile this valuable, age appropriate, and informative book on HIV/AIDS.