Campbell, N. I. (2006). Shi-shi-etko. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books.
Summary
Shi-shi-etko is the story of a young girl and how she spends her last four days before she is forced to go to an Indian Residential School. She counts down each day, and spends her time with family members. Together they remember how her culture emphasizes a love of family and nature.
Advisory Information:
-Themes:
a. Discrimination: The underlying theme of the book is Canada’s discriminatory laws which required native children to attend an Indian Residential School.
b. Importance of Family: Shi-shi-etko is allowed to visit her family in the days before she will be forced to attend a residential school. Each family member spends time with her, stressing important lessons so that she will not forget.
c. Importance of Culture: Shi-shi-etko’s family encourages her to remember her past by singing songs, recalling the uses of plants, and even maintaining cultural activities like canoeing.
d. Importance of Nature: Shi-shi-etko has a respect for nature, and even treasures the gifts she finds as remembrance of her home.
-Age Recommendation:
I think that young school age children would appreciate this story. While younger children would enjoy the pictures, students from kindergarten to 3rd grade would understand what going to school would mean, and being away from your family.
-Other Information:
The pictures were created by Kim LaFave.
Shi-shi-etko was a finalist for the 2006 Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award, the 2006 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and the 2006 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and was the co-winner of the 2006 Aboriginal Children’s Book of the Year Award.
Reaction:
For me the introduction was the most important aspect of this book. Without this page, it would be difficult for readers to understand the social context of Indian Residential Schools and their impact on Canada. With the foreknowledge of the introduction, the picture book becomes so much more than just going away to school. The reader is able to understand why the child is remembering her home.
Summary
Shi-shi-etko is the story of a young girl and how she spends her last four days before she is forced to go to an Indian Residential School. She counts down each day, and spends her time with family members. Together they remember how her culture emphasizes a love of family and nature.
Advisory Information:
-Themes:
a. Discrimination: The underlying theme of the book is Canada’s discriminatory laws which required native children to attend an Indian Residential School.
b. Importance of Family: Shi-shi-etko is allowed to visit her family in the days before she will be forced to attend a residential school. Each family member spends time with her, stressing important lessons so that she will not forget.
c. Importance of Culture: Shi-shi-etko’s family encourages her to remember her past by singing songs, recalling the uses of plants, and even maintaining cultural activities like canoeing.
d. Importance of Nature: Shi-shi-etko has a respect for nature, and even treasures the gifts she finds as remembrance of her home.
-Age Recommendation:
I think that young school age children would appreciate this story. While younger children would enjoy the pictures, students from kindergarten to 3rd grade would understand what going to school would mean, and being away from your family.
-Other Information:
The pictures were created by Kim LaFave.
Shi-shi-etko was a finalist for the 2006 Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award, the 2006 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and the 2006 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and was the co-winner of the 2006 Aboriginal Children’s Book of the Year Award.
Reaction:
For me the introduction was the most important aspect of this book. Without this page, it would be difficult for readers to understand the social context of Indian Residential Schools and their impact on Canada. With the foreknowledge of the introduction, the picture book becomes so much more than just going away to school. The reader is able to understand why the child is remembering her home.
0 comments:
Post a Comment