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When We Were Alone

David A. Robertson
Illustrated by Julie Flett
  • Front cover

When We Were Alone

David A. Robertson
Illustrated by Julie Flett
$21.95
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Overview

CANADIAN6-8 YEARS32 PAGESENGLISH
Promotional Details

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A quiet story…of love and resistance.… Flett’s collage illustrations, with their simplicity and earthy colors, are soulful and gentle….  All readers will connect with how Nókom lives in celebration of colors, her long hair, her language, and, most of all, her family.
- a starred review - The Horn Book Magazine

Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 30 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

When We Were Alone is a beautifully illustrated book that tells a heartfelt story about a young girl's curiosity regarding her grandmother's experiences in a residential school. Customers highly recommend this book for children, praising its gentle narrative and captivating illustrations.

Summary topics

  • Illustration Quality: 36%
  • Book Quality: 52%
  • Suitability for Children: 20%
  • Story Quality: 24%

Review topics: ["book","illustrations","story","children","read","language","introduction","impact"].

Review highlights

  • "Gorgeous illustrations, a great book to introduce young children to the history of residential schools" — Faith C.
  • "Great tool for helping teach Indigenous stories of the Residential School system to younger children." — Kate R.
  • "Great book with beautiful illustrations" — Gina

Reviews

Meaningful title for Truth and Reconciliation Day

"Wonderful book we share on Truth and Reconciliation day to all our campers at The Cove Indoor Play in New Westminster BC"

— Trisha (5/5)

Highly recommend

"An incredible piece. The illustrations are done beautifully, and its written in a way that allows younger minds to understand the injustices on Indigenous peoples."

— Maddy (5/5)

Gorgeous

"Gorgeous illustrations, a great book to introduce young children to the history of residential schools"

— Faith C. (5/5)

So beautiful

"This book is just so beautiful and does a wonderful job of opening the conversation about residential schools with young children. I highly recommend this book. The more you read it with children the more understanding, empathy and connection they develop."

— K. Y. (5/5)

Celebrating Indigenous culture while gently acknowledging the impact of Indian Residential Schools on families

"A very gentle and loving way of acknowledging the Residential School impact on Indigenous families while at the same time celebrating Indigenous cultural values and way of life. I didn't think it possible to create a book suitable for a preschooler - but this Indigenous author has! Highly recommended for ALL children."

— Debra R. (5/5)

Required reading, with On the Trapline

"Gave this and On the Trapline to each family in our extended family. Beautifully told in simple, clear language and illustrations."

— Aitch (5/5)

Excellent

"A beautiful, gentle story that opens conversation for children. The kind of book that makes adults cry but is not too much for children."

— Jessica (5/5)

When We Were Alone Review

"This is a very moving story that intertwines with the Indigenous tradition of oral history. It is thought provoking but is also told in a kind way. It was effective how the dialogue between the child and grandmother was used to describe the residential school experience. My grade 6 class thoroughly enjoyed this story."

— Jefferson D. (5/5)

Lovely Book.

"Such a beautiful book. The text is lovely to read. Great for children to understand."

— Tina (5/5)

Nice addition to a classroom library

"My students loved this book! The illustrations are beautiful, and it is a unique take on residential schools."

— Stella (5/5)

Q&A

  • Appropriate for: Ages 6-8 Years
  • Published date: Dec 01, 2016
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 32
  • Publisher: PORTAGE & MAIN PRESS
  • ISBN: 9781553796732
  • Dimensions: 7.8" W x 0.5" L x 8.4" H
David A. Robertson is an award-winning writer. His books include When We Were Alone (winner Governor General''s Literary Award), Will I See? (winner Manuela Dias Book Design and Illustration Award Graphic Novel Category), Betty, The Helen Betty Osborne Story (listed In The Margins), and the YA novel Strangers. David educates as well as entertains through his writings about Indigenous Peoples in Canada, reflecting their cultures, histories, communities, as well as illuminating many contemporary issues. David is a member of Norway House Cree Nation. He lives in Winnipeg.

Julie Flett is an award-winning Cree-Metis author, illustrator and artist. She has received many awards, including the 2016 American Indian Library Association Award for Best Picture Book for Little You, written by Richard Van Camp (Orca Books), and the Canadian Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Award in 2015 for Dolphins SOS, written by Roy Miki (Tradewind Books) and in 2017 for My Heart Fills with Happiness, written by Monique Gray Smith (Orca Books), and was nominated for the Governor General''s Award for Children''s Literature for her book Owls See Clearly at Night (Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer): A Michif Alphabet (L''alphabet di Michif). Her own Wild Berries (Simply Read Books) was chosen as Canada's First Nation Communities Read title selection for 2014-2015.

David A. Robertson (he/him/his) is an award-winning writer and recent recipient of the Writer's Union of Canada's Freedom to Read Award. His books include When We Were Alone (winner Governor General''s Literary Award), Will I See? (winner Manuela Dias Book Design and Illustration Award), Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story (listed In The Margins), and the YA trilogy The Reckoner (winner Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction, McNally Robinson Best Book for Young People). His most recent works include the graphic novel Breakdown (Top 10 Fiction Title,In the Margins), middle grade novel The Barren Grounds, and his memoir Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory. A sought-after speaker and educator, David is a member of Norway House Cree Nation. He lives in Winnipeg.

Julie Flett is an award-winning Cree-Metis author, illustrator and artist. She has received many awards, including the 2016 American Indian Library Association Award for Best Picture Book for Little You, written by Richard Van Camp (Orca Books), and the Canadian Christie Harris Illustrated Children''s Literature Award in 2015 for Dolphins SOS, written by Roy Miki (Tradewind Books) and in 2017 for My Heart Fills with Happiness, written by Monique Gray Smith (Orca Books), and was nominated for the Governor General''s Award for Children''s Literature for her book Owls See Clearly at Night (Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer): A Michif Alphabet (L''alphabet di Michif). Her own Wild Berries (Simply Read Books) was chosen as Canada''s First Nation Communities Read title selection for 2014-2015.

www.julieflett.com


 

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