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Stolen Words

Melanie Florence, Gabrielle Grimard

CELA Library

Type:

Fiction

Categories:

People & Places | Social Issues | Family | Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island

Themes:

United States, Prejudice & Racism, Multigenerational, Canada

Language:

English

Publisher:

Second Story Press

Grade Level:

1-3

Age Range:

6-8

Accessible Format Availability:

CELA Library

Where to buy it

Apple Books
Indigo

Description

A little girl sets out to help her grandfather discover the Cree language that was stolen from him when he was sent away to residential school as a boy.
The story of the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. When she asks her grandfather how to say something in his language – Cree – he admits that his language was stolen from him when he was a boy. The little girl then sets out to help her grandfather find his language again. This sensitive and warmly illustrated picture book explores the intergenerational impact of the residential school system that separated young Indigenous children from their families. The story recognizes the pain of those whose culture and language were taken from them, how that pain is passed down, and how healing can also be shared.

Contributors

Melanie Florence is an award-winning writer of Cree and Scottish heritage. She wrote Stolen Words in honor of her grandfather. Melanie never had the chance to speak to him about his Cree heritage, and the story is about the healing relationship she wishes she had been able to have with him. Her book Jordin Tootoo was an American Indian Library Association Honor Book, and Missing Nimama won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. Melanie lives with her family in Toronto.

Gabrielle Grimard uses various media to research and create the illustrations for a book, but her favorite aspect will always be color. She uses mainly watercolors, gouache and oil. She adds a touch of wooden pencil for the details. She has illustrated dozens of books and has been nominated for several awards. She lives near Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Formats

ISBN13: 9781772600377

Publication Date: 09/05/2017

Price: $21.95 CAD

ISBN13: 9781772602340

Publication Date: 09/05/2017

Price: $19.99 CAD

ISBN13: 9781772602807

Publication Date: 09/05/2017

Price: $13.99 CAD

ISBN13: N/A

Awards

Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award - CCBC's TD Canadian Children's Book AwardsShort-listed

Shelf Awareness Best Picture Books of the YearCommended

Ontario Library Association's 2018 Best BetsCommended

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book AwardWinner

Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Books of 2017 to Give Readers StrengthCommended

The Children's Book Review's Best Picture Books of 2017Commended

2018 (Spring) - Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens - Starred SelectionCommended

Forest of Reading, Forest Kid Committee ListCommended

Elizabeth Mrazik Cleaver Canadian Picture Book AwardShort-listed

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