Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell

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.

Millie Ride the River by Troon Harrison, An Our Canadian Girl Book

Harrison, T. (2004). Millie ride the river. Toronto, Ontario: Penguin Canada.

Summary

When Millie is sent to vacation at her uncle’s house in the Kawartha Lakes, Millie has a difficult time adapting to her cousins lifestyles. Feather wears deerskin dresses, canoes, and is quiet compared to Millie. Millie cannot even swim! As Millie gets to know her cousins better, she realizes that she has much to learn from them, but when the lighthouse light is out; will Millie be able to help?

Advisory Information

-Themes:

a. Understanding other cultures: Millie must learn to adapt to the Ojibwa culture in order to learn from her aunt and cousins.

b. Logic: This sounds weird as a theme, but part of Millie’s character development is understanding the consequences of her actions. Sometimes Millie does not think before she acts.

c. Courage under Fire: Millie must be calm and composed in a dangerous situation.

-Age Recommendation:

I think that young girls aged 7-10 would enjoy this story.

-Other Information:

This book is the first in the Our Canadian Girl: Millie series.

The story is set in 1914 at the start of World War I.

The illustrations were completed by Janet Wilson.

For more information about the Millie Series: http://www.ourcanadiangirl.ca/millie.php

Reaction:

This book was straightforward, and girls who wish to read a book about adventure would enjoy it. Due to the age that this book was written for, the book is easy to read. Nevertheless, it was interesting to learn about the Kawartha Lakes, and how it was used for travel, entertainment, and trade even in the early 20th century. It would be interesting to see if the other books in the Millie series focused on World War I’s impact upon the Kawartha Lakes.

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler

Richler, Mordecai. (2009). Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang. Toronto, Ontario: Tundra Books.

Summary:

Jacob Two-Two, too young to do anything, but yearning for more adult responsibility, is finally given an errand to run for his father. Upon asking twice for two pounds of firm red tomatoes, the grocer, Mr. Cooper believes that he is insulting him. Jacob Two-Two runs away from the grocer, only to be immersed in a deep fog. When he awakes he is in a holding cell awaiting trial for mocking the grocer. Since the adults hate children, Jacob Two-Two is sentenced to a Children’s Prison for his crimes. Will Jacob Two-Two be able to escape from the Hooded Fang?

Advisory Information:

-Themes:

a. an unlikely hero realizes his own self worth and rises to the occasion: Jacob Two-Two realizes that he is strong enough to fight for himself and others.

b. staying true to yourself: Jacob Two-Two does not let his surroundings affect what he believes in. He insists upon saying everything twice while in prison.

c. finding the good in people: Jacob Two-Two is able to see the good in the Hooded Fang before the Hooded Fang can see the good in himself.

-Age Recommendation

I think that beginning readers would enjoy this book, so I would recommend it to readers aged 6-9.

-Other Information:

The book was illustrated by Dušan Petričić.

Reaction:

As the youngest of six, I understood how Jacob Two-Two felt. The text has a quirky feel; that for some reason kind of reminded me of Roald Dahl. I think that the idea of a young boy who is able to use his own smarts with the help of others to overthrow what is obviously a miscarriage of justice in the adult world will resonate well with young readers.

The Ice Cream Store by Dennis Lee

Lee, D. (1991). The ice cream store. New York, New York: Scholastic.

Summary:

The Ice Cream Story is a collection of children’s poems by Dennis Lee. The poems have many different themes, including self awareness about growing up to nature. They all use a similar rhyme scheme.

Advisory Information:

-Themes:

a. Diversity: This theme is mostly used to describe other children throughout the world. (“The Ice Cream Store,” “A Wonderful Trip in a Rocketship,” “Chica”)

b. Silliness: Some of the poems are so nonsensical that they include made up words. (“Follow That Whale,” “Bappy Earthday,” “Goof on the Roof”)

c. Manners: Etiquette is not a main theme of the collection, however “Mabel” does examine table manners.

d. Self-awareness: Some of the poems look at an individual’s ability to understand his or her place in the world in relation to themselves and others. (“The Secret Place,” “My Life in a Shoe,” “I Know It’s Time,” “A Home Like a Hiccup,” “Wild!,” “The Fib”)

e. Nature: The book also looks at animals and their environment. (“Cickadee, Fly,” “Chitter-Chatter-Chipmunk,” “The Water-Go-Round”)

f. Time & Life: “The Butterfly” is an interesting example of the fleetingness of life. While young children probably will not pick up on this message, the poem can still be taken as a poem about nature.

Age Recommendation

This poetry book is acceptable for all ages.

Won the Mr. Christie Book Award for Best Canadian Children's Book.

Other information:

Illustrations by David McPhail.

Reaction:

This book of poetry reminds me of Shel Silverstein’s poems. Although some poems have a serious message, most are just inventive and seem to emphasize the innocence and silliness that are a part of childhood. The illustrations are essential to the book; they are creative and help the reader understand some of the more outrageous poems. I especially like the poems “Digging a Hole to Australia” and “The Lottery Dream of Miss Patricia Pig.”