EBOOK
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From the bestselling and Governor General's Award–winning author of On the Trapline comes a beautifully told and comforting picture book about a boy's journey to overcome generational trauma of residential schools.
Deep in the night, when James should be sleeping, he tosses and turns. He thinks about big questions, like why we don't feel dizzy when the Earth spins. He looks at the stars outside his bedroom and thinks about the night sky stories his kōkom has told him. He imagines being a moshom himself. On nights like these, he follows the moonlit path to his mother's bedroom. They talk and they cuddle, and they fall asleep just like that.
One day, James's kōkom takes him on a special walk with a big group of people. It's called a march, and it ends in front of a big pile of things: teddy bears, flowers, tobacco ties and little shoes. Kōkom tells him that this is a memorial in honor of Indigenous children who had gone to residential schools and boarding schools but didn't come home. He learns that his kōkom was sent away to one of these schools with her sister, who also didn't come home.
That night, James can't sleep so he follows the moonlit path to his mother. She explains to James that at residential school when Kōkom felt alone, she had her sister to cuddle, just like they do. And James falls asleep gathered in his mother's arms.
Includes an author note discussing the inspiration for the book. DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the author of numerous books for young readers including the two Governor General Literary Award-winning picture books On the Trapline and When We Were Alone, both illustrated by Julie Flett. He also wrote The Song That Called Them Home, a picture book illustrated by Maya McKibbin. His middle-grade fantasy series, The Misewa Saga, have received great acclaim and award attention. A sought-after speaker and educator, David is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information, visit his website, www.darobertson.ca, and follow him on Twitter @DaveAlexRoberts.
MAYA McKIBBIN is a Two-Spirited Ojibwe, Yoeme and Irish-settler artist currently based on the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Nations. Maya's art can be found in graphic novels and comics, including Four Faces of the Moon, Salmon Run, The Silver Coin series and Shades of Fear. They also illustrated the picture book Swift Fox All Along written by Rebecca Thomas, which was nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award, and The Song That Called Them Home written by David A. Robertson. Visit their website at www.mkchibs.com and follow them on social media @mkchibs.
Deep in the night, when James should be sleeping, he tosses and turns. He thinks about big questions, like why we don't feel dizzy when the Earth spins. He looks at the stars outside his bedroom and thinks about the night sky stories his kōkom has told him. He imagines being a moshom himself. On nights like these, he follows the moonlit path to his mother's bedroom. They talk and they cuddle, and they fall asleep just like that.
One day, James's kōkom takes him on a special walk with a big group of people. It's called a march, and it ends in front of a big pile of things: teddy bears, flowers, tobacco ties and little shoes. Kōkom tells him that this is a memorial in honor of Indigenous children who had gone to residential schools and boarding schools but didn't come home. He learns that his kōkom was sent away to one of these schools with her sister, who also didn't come home.
That night, James can't sleep so he follows the moonlit path to his mother. She explains to James that at residential school when Kōkom felt alone, she had her sister to cuddle, just like they do. And James falls asleep gathered in his mother's arms.
Includes an author note discussing the inspiration for the book. DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the author of numerous books for young readers including the two Governor General Literary Award-winning picture books On the Trapline and When We Were Alone, both illustrated by Julie Flett. He also wrote The Song That Called Them Home, a picture book illustrated by Maya McKibbin. His middle-grade fantasy series, The Misewa Saga, have received great acclaim and award attention. A sought-after speaker and educator, David is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information, visit his website, www.darobertson.ca, and follow him on Twitter @DaveAlexRoberts.
MAYA McKIBBIN is a Two-Spirited Ojibwe, Yoeme and Irish-settler artist currently based on the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Nations. Maya's art can be found in graphic novels and comics, including Four Faces of the Moon, Salmon Run, The Silver Coin series and Shades of Fear. They also illustrated the picture book Swift Fox All Along written by Rebecca Thomas, which was nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award, and The Song That Called Them Home written by David A. Robertson. Visit their website at www.mkchibs.com and follow them on social media @mkchibs.