Active Kids Adventures: Literacy and Movement in One Story

Here’s a common problem in schools and community programs: Early literacy programming and physical activity programming often compete for the same limited time. Teachers and administrators have to choose, and something usually loses.

Active Kids Adventures (AKA) is built on a different idea—what if early literacy and movement reinforced each other instead? And what if we added a third leg to this pedagogical stool – social-emotional learning?

The Concept

AKA is a series of chapter books for ages 4-8 where the stories require movement to solve. In Hoppin’ Hannah Rescues Recess!, kids join Hannah’s adventure to bring back cancelled recess through creative problem-solving. In Jumpin’ Jake Saves Swimming!, they help restore a closed pool. The stories come with original theme songs, as well as activity guides for educators and parents. Round it out with virtual and in-school workshops and you have a recipe for whole child health.

The pedagogical layers are there: dialogic reading builds comprehension, the movement embedded in the narrative develops physical literacy, and the peer-led problem-solving builds social-emotional skills. But the surface-level appeal is simpler—kids like stories where they get to move and have fun.

Who Made It

Joe Doiron spent 35 years honing his policy and program skills. Twenty-five at the Public Health Agency of Canada leading national physical activity policy, and years at ParticipACTION where he led physical activity promotions He knows the research, understands the barriers, and has credibility in the space. This isn’t a commercial product designed by marketers—it’s built by someone who’s spent three decades thinking about how to actually shift children’s activity levels – one book, one jump, and one song at a time.

How to Use It

If your program struggles to integrate literacy, movement and social-emotional learning, AKA offers a ready-made structure. The activity kits are designed for flexibility—educators can adapt them to their context rather than follow a rigid script. Books can be used in classrooms, community centers, summer camps, or at home. The Plug & Play packs make access and implementation straightforward.

Get Started with AKA

Website: ActiveKidsAdventures.ca
Books & Resources: Explore the series and Plug & Play Activity Packs
Connect: joe@joedoiron.com or info@activekidsadventures.ca | 782-414-2288 | @joe_a_doiron