Rande Cook
Rande Ola K’alapa (Rande Cook) Kwakwaka’wakw hereditary chief and funny dad of Jazmine, Isla and Ethan tells the stories of his N’amgis, Ma’amtagila and Ma- malilikala people in his own voice, which blends tradition and innovation in his carving and painting.
Kids Books (1)
Yo! Wiksas? Hi! How Are You?: An Illustrated Conversation with the Invisible Girl Siri
$19.95
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl);
ISBN / Barcode: 9781550968286
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Water warriors and tree protectors, Ethan and Isla cook, have many questions to ask Siri about the state of the world. This book is their conversation, with pictures by their dad, Rande.
Illustrations with conversations are an Indigenous way of showing rather than telling, and Yo! Wiksas? is a great book for curious kids who ask big questions, and adults who help them discover answers about bullying, environmental protection, inclusivity, and more. Also a useful classroom adjunct to interpersonal relationships; includes an on-end study guide.
The book shows an illustrated conversation between Isla and Ethan, son and daughter of Kwakwaka’wakw Chief Rande Ola K’alapa, a much-loved artist of mixed European and Indigenous descent, and their invisible friend Siri. Isabel Rogers, also a kid, is part of the story-telling process.
Reviews
Excerpt from the Afterword from the author:
"[This] is the story of all kids who ask questions. That would be all kids period. Siri, invisible, stands in for the Creator, who reverberates kids’ questions in enigmatic ways. In other words, the answers live in you, your dedication to following your heart and doing the right thing.
This is a book about a brother and sister standing in for all kids, because the right answers are always the same and the ultimate answer is “Be kind.”
Others are not just other humans but every species that lives under the sun and the moon. In the poem “Best Friends,” Ethan and Hope run in circles, no punctuation, nothing stopping their perfect friendship, boy and dog. That is a world in which our spirits are joined, just as Ethan and Isla’s clan is joined to the spirits that have guided their family for many generations.
Rande and I hope this little book starts some conversations and inspires more art and storytelling. We hope you enjoy the Kwak’wala words and the family jam.
In other words, have fun all our relations!!!!!"
Educator Information
This book was developed by Linda Rogers and Rande Cook (Rande Ola K'alapa). It is questions for the Creator that have been diverted to Siri, a game Rande plays with his kids Ethan and Isla.
Consider this book to be a bridge, a route to one important thing: Kindness... The books' creators want lots and lots of kids to share in on their fun and to think about their own questions, and discover their own answers.
Includes a Kwak'wala glossary, as well as an Afterword and Study Guide.
Additional Information
76 pages | 8.00" x 9.00"
Authenticity Note: Because this story is a collaborative effort, with words by Linda Rogers with big helps from Isla, Ethan, Isabel, and Siri, and illustrations from Rande Cook, it has been given the Authentic Indigenous Text and Artwork labels. It's up to readers to determine if the text in this work is authentic for their purposes.
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