Browse Books for Kids

Residential Schools, With the Words and Images of Survivors, A National History honours the survivors, the former students, who attended residential schools. Designed for the general reader this accessible, 112-page history offers a first-person perspective of the residential school system in Canada, as it shares the memories of more than 70 survivors from across Canada as well as 125 archival and contemporary images (65 black & white photographs, 51 colour, some never before published).

This essential volume written by award-winning author Larry Loyie (Cree), a survivor of St. Bernard Mission residential school in Grouard, AB, and co-authored by Constance Brissenden and Wayne K. Spear (Mohawk), reflects the ongoing commitment of this team to express the truths about residential school experiences and to honour the survivors whose voices are shared in this book.

Along with the voices, readers will be engaged by the evocative, archival photographs provided by the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre with the assistance of curator Krista McCracken. The book begins with the moving introduction by Larry Loyie, and moves to seven chapters that explore the purpose of this school system; cultures and traditions; leaving home; life at school the half-day system; the dark side of the schools; friendship and laughter coping with a new life; changing world–the healing begins; and an afterword. A detailed, full colour map showing residential schools, timeline with key dates, glossary, and a helpful index (including names of survivors and schools) make this vital resource a must-have for secondary, college, and universities, libraries, and the general reader.

Reviews
"A broad and comprehensive review of the history of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada told from the perspective of First Peoples in a very accessible way. Any educator, regardless of personal background or heritage, would find this timely resource very useful in any classroom." — Gary Fenn and Domenic Bellissimo, executive assistants, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation

"Written with a gentle hand, this book describes a history that few Canadians understand or even know about. From the first page, those in search of the truth are engaged in a journey of learning, as they come to understand the true battle of Aboriginal peoples to preserve their cultures and pride. This story is a true account of resiliency and human spirit." — Tracy Zweifel, executive director, Sagitawa Friendship Society, Alberta

Awards

- 2016 Winner of Golden Oak award in Ontario's Forest of Reading program

Educator Information
This must-have resource includes a detailed, full-colour map showing residential schools, a timeline with key dates, and a glossary.

Recommended for grades 7-12, but would still be useful for adults and college/university courses studying residential schools and Indigenous history.

This book has been evaluated and approved by ERAC (Educational Resource Acquisition Consortium, British Columbia).

Additional Information
112 pages | 10.43" x 8.26"

In this beautiful ABC book, C is for Crab; D is for Douglas fir; and E is for Eagle. Based on Pacific Northwest artist Hannah Viano’s regionally themed paper-cut art, this lovely children’s book sheds a new light on the ABCs that will appeal to young and old alike. Fans of Nikki McClure and Kate Endle will appreciate the beautiful handmade appeal of this book.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 to 5

Additional Information
32 pages | 6.74" x 9.25"

Stanley Park, Vancouver, September 2014. A fourteen-foot bronze-cast cedar sculpture is being erected. Dignitaries from all levels of government are present, including leaders of the Coast Salish First Nations and representatives from Portugal's Azores Islands. Luke Marston, carver/artist, supervises as his three-year project is revealed to the world.

The sculpture--titled Shore to Shore--depicts Luke's great-great-grandparents, Portuguese Joe Silvey, one of BC's most colourful pioneers, and Kwatleematt (Lucy), a Sechelt First Nation matriarch and Silvey's second wife. Silvey and Kwatleematt are flanked by Khaltinaht, Silvey's first wife, a noblewoman from the Musqueam and Squamish First Nations. The trio are surrounded by the tools of Silvey's trade: seine nets, whaling harpoons, and the Pacific coast salmon that helped the family thrive in the early industries of BC. The sculpture references the multicultural relationships that are at the foundation of BC, while also showcasing the talents of one of Canada's finest contemporary First Nations carvers.

Combining interviews, research and creative non-fiction narration, author Suzanne Fournier recounts Marston's career, from his early beginnings carving totems for the public at the Royal BC Museum, to his study under Haida artist Robert Davidson and jewellery master Valentin Yotkov, to his visits to both his ancestral homes: Reid Island and the Portuguese Azores island of Pico--journeys which provided inspiration for the Shore to Shore statue.

Educator Information
Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2015/2016 resource list for grades 7 to 12 for comparative civilizations, English language arts, photography, social studies, and visual arts. 

Additional Information
128 pages | 8.00" x 10.00"

Fifteen-year-old Mark Centeno is of Chumash, Crow, Mexican, and Filipino ancestry - he calls himself "four kinds of brown." When Mark goes to live with his Chumash grandmother on the reservation in central California, he discovers a rich world of family history and culture that he knows very little about. He also finds a pathway to better understanding a part of his own identity: the world of powwow dancing. Riveted by the traditional dancers and feeling the magnetic pull of the drums, Mark begins the training and other preparations necessary for him to compete as a dancer in one of America's largest powwows. Like all of our PathFinders novels for reluctant teen readers, this contemporary story is by a Native American author, features a linear plot, and is written at a 4.0 to 4.5 reading level.

Educator & Series Information
Reading Level: 4.0

This book is part of the PathFinders series. The PathFinders series of Hi-Lo (high interest, low readability) novels offers the following features:

• Indigenous teen protagonists
• Age appropriate plots
• 2.5 – 4.5 Reading Level
• Contemporary and historical fiction
• Indigenous authors

The PathFinders series is from an American publisher. Therefore, Indigenous terminology in the PathFinders books is not the same as Canadian Indigenous terminology. This prompts a useful teaching moment for educators in discussing appropriate terminology use in Canada.

Recommended ages: 12-16

Additional Information

The Strong Readers: Métis Series launched in December 2014.

Guided Reading bundles include 6 copies of each of the 8 titles in the Métis Series.

The Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

The series includes titles ranging from levels 3 to 18:

LV. 3 - My Métis Sash
LV. 6 - Métis People Travel!
LV. 8 - I Can Bead
LV. 10 - Giving Thanks
LV. 12 - A Métis New Year
LV. 14 - Two Métis Vests
LV. 16 - A Red River Cart
LV. 18 - Ways To Carry A Métis Baby

Educator Information
This resource is also available in French HERE!

Additional Information
ISBN 9781771746649

The Strong Readers Métis Series launched in December 2014.

Single sets include 1 copy each of the 8 titles in the Métis Series.

The Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

The series includes titles ranging from levels 3 to 18:

LV. 3 - My Métis Sash
LV. 6 - Métis People Travel!
LV. 8 - I Can Bead
LV. 10 - Giving Thanks
LV. 12 - A Métis New Year
LV. 14 - Two Métis Vests
LV. 16 - A Red River Cart
LV. 18 - Ways To Carry A Métis Baby

Educator Information
This resource is also available in French HERE!

Additional Information
ISBN: 9781771745918

Level 12 - Back cover book introduction: New Year’s Eve is on December 31. It is the last day of the year. At midnight the old year ends and a new one begins. In this book you will learn about some of the ways that Métis families have fun on New Year’s Eve.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 12 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: La veille du jour de l’An métis.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740678

Level 16 - Back cover book introduction: The Red River cart is very strong. It is built by the Métis people to carry heavy loads of furs and other things. This book will show you how a Red River cart is made.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 16 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Une charrette de la rivière Rouge.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Book Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740692

Level 10 - Back cover book introduction: We often give thanks for the things in our lives that we are grateful for. In this book you will read about many of the things that Métis Elders give thanks for.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 10 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French HERE!

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740708

Level 8 - Back cover book introduction: Beads are small. They come in many colours. This book is about learning to make things with beads.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 8 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Je peux perler.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Book Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740715

Level 6 - Back cover book introduction: Métis people have different ways of traveling over the land and water in the summer, fall, winter and spring. This book will show you some of the ways that Métis people can travel.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 6 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Les Métis voyagent! 

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740722

Level 3 - Back cover book introduction: This book is about a Métis sash. This sash is made from 5 coloured threads. The threads are woven together. Weaving the threads together makes a sash very strong.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 3 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Ma ceinture fléchée métisse.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740739

Level 14 - Back cover book introduction: A Métis vest is a piece of clothing. It is like a short jacket but it has no sleeves. It has buttons down the front. Métis women decorate the vests with colourful designs and fringes. There are pictures of two Métis vests in this book. Which one do you think would be the hardest to make? Why?

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 14 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Deux gilets métis.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740685

Level 18 - Back cover book introduction: Métis mothers have many ways to carry their babies. This book will show you some of the ways that Métis mothers carried their babies long ago.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 18 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Les façons de porter un bébé métis.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740746 

The Strong Readers: Northern Series launched in December 2014.

Guided Reading sets include 6 copies each of the 8 titles in the Northern Series.

The Northern Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Inuit.

The series includes books ranging from levels 2 to 16:

LV. 2 - Look Up At the Sky!
LV. 3 - A Dog Team
LV. 6 - North and South
LV. 7 - Snow
LV. 8 - Baby Arctic Animals
LV. 11 - I Build An Igloo
LV. 15 - Birds Come and Go
LV. 16 - Polar Bear Facts

Educator Information
This resource is also available in French HERE!

Additional Information
ISBN 9781771746656