With my family, I have devoted my life to being a good role model, consistently and positively correcting inappropriate behaviour, and being selective in choosing actions that result in less pain, suffering, and death to the animals we share this earth with.

Why Living Plant-Based is So Important

Eating plant-based benefits people, animals, and the planet. Did you know that our North American society eats more meat per person than any other country? These habits are leading to increased illness in humans, Pandemics, and the destruction of our environment. While they may be too young to understand greenhouse gases, toxic waste, water pollution, public health perils, and antibiotic resistance, they are not too young to look into the eyes of a companion or rescue animal and see love, confusion, and fear.

Choosing humane options for your table shows your children that hypocrisy is not welcome in your home. How do we explain to a child why we eat a pig and not a dog or eat other children for that matter! My book A Pig IS a Dog IS a Kid was written on this very subject, and I sincerely hope it helps your children learn to be mindful of the pain caused by our eating habits.

Our Children Deserve Our Guidance

Equipping your children with understandable lessons on why we don’t eat animals, will help when others challenge them. In an age where bullying is commonplace, building your child’s self-esteem becomes more important than ever. 

As parents, we can show our children that spending more time with animals is valuable and worth the effort. They will learn that animals won’t judge them, will offer affection, and will listen to them. Establishing a strong bond will also act as a deterrent to the pressures to eat them.

Interacting with Animals Builds Empathy

Here are some ways that your child can engage with animals:

• Help with Animal Companion Chores: Encourage your child to make time for, and meet the needs of, those in their care. 
• Play Make Believe: Very young children can practice sharing compassion with their stuffies! They can ‘feed them,’ ‘take them for a walk,’ and even ‘go to the vet.’ These actions build compassion and encourage them to think outside of themselves. 
• Support local Rescues/Sanctuaries: Even if you aren’t currently caring for an animal, you can make a difference in the lives of those in your area. Hold a bake sale, a fundraiser, or do a school project on a local organization and share it with classmates.
• Get outside more often: Take a hike through the park, go birdwatching, or do a nature walk through a local wetland.

While reading about animals isn’t the same as caring for them, I firmly believe a good book will bring the story alive for a child in the most beautiful ways.

Discover a new favourite from the Compassionate Press Collections. I have created many reading selections for the little and big animal lovers in your life, and a collection of softcover Coloring Books that will keep everyone entertained during our upcoming rainy days!

My Mission

I am a Mom, and each day I question how the world got to where we are today and what can I do to raise our children in a way to make their lives better.

I believe every child holds greatness in their heart, and by allowing them to find their voices, we create positive parenting.

Gone are the days where parents solely want their kids to do good in school. We now want them to live fulfilling lives. We want to raise a generation who will look inward for peace and fight for justice, who questions the norm and facilitates fair solutions.

Our kids may be little, but they can change the world! They are in fact, our only hope.

Together let’s nurture children to be empowered, to aspire to greatness, and to have fun along the way.

Maritza Oliver Bio:

Born and raised in Peru, Maritza moved to Canada in 2002. She is an entrepreneur, artist, activist, author, and illustrator.

She combines her passion for art with her love of animal advocacy, the environment and social justice by writing and illustrating children’s books on veganism and living a compassionate lifestyle.

She studied Fine Arts and Graphic Design in Lima, Peru and then in Madrid, Spain.  After learning the truth about the horrific practices of animal agriculture, she could not bear to know that animals were treated poorly on account of what she chose to eat.

Maritza understood that she didn’t need to eat animals to survive – it was a choice – and from that point on, she chose not to inflict pain and suffering on other sentient beings. She is one of those rare people who went vegan literally overnight, and knows in her heart it was the best decision she ever made, as she had finally found a purpose in life.

Since then, she’s been making her mark in Canada by publishing unique, educational, and beautiful children’s books under the banner of Compassionate Press, that cater to the growing vegan community who practices compassionate living. Not only are they available here on her personal website, but may be purchased at Vancouver’s Eternal Abundance, and through international booksellers.

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