Monday, June 21, 2010 is National Aboriginal Day.
“Established in 1996, National Aboriginal Day encourages Canadians to recognize the diverse cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and highlights their contributions to the development of Canada.” – Government of Canada
Share in the celebration by checking out these books:
Spirits, Fairies, and Merpeople: Native Stories of Other Worlds
Written by C.J. Taylor
Hardcover | 40 pages
Ages 8+
ISBN 978-0-88776-872-9
“Taylor’s retellings are crisp and lend themselves well to reading aloud. Each story is accompanied by a lushly hued, surrealistic painting. The powerful images featuring fearsome creatures and tiny human figures balance the taut economy of the text. …this well-crafted collection is an accessible and thoughtful supplement to Native American culture studies.” – School Library Journal
Lord of the Sky
Written by Linda Zeman-Spaleny
Illustrated by Ludmila Zeman
Hardcover | 32 pages
Ages 8+
ISBN 978-0-88776-896-5
“This story is based on an animated film of the same name … and is purportedly derived from the folklore of the North Pacific Coast…. The artwork, done by one of the original filmmakers, attempts to convey a movie in book form…. The award-winning film was done in puppet animation and may be well worth adding to library collections. The book version gropes for a beginning but includes some blood and thunder that might grab fans of graphic novels.” – School Library Journal
Stones, Bones, and Stitches: Storytelling through Inuit Art
Written by Shelley Falconer and Shawna White
Hardcover | 48 pages
All Ages
ISBN 978-0-88776-854-5
“This handsome introduction to Inuit art…. A Canadian map, onto which the art is superimposed, is a helpful device for orienting non-Native audiences…. the current title’s approach of contextualizing the images within a biographical and social framework sets it apart and adds value for researchers.” – School Library Journal
The Man Who Ran Faster Than Everyone: The Story of Tom Longboat
Written by Jack Batten
Paperback | 112 pages
Ages 10+
ISBN 978-0-88776-507-0
Winner of the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction
“[T]his book is a superb narrative – and a revelatory one – about a largely unknown if not quite unsung Canadian icon.” – The Globe and Mail
All the Stars in the Sky: Native Stories from the Heavens
Written by C.J. Taylor
Hardcover | 40 pages
Ages 8+
ISBN 978-0-88776-759-3
“C.J. Taylor is, of course, an artist as well as a storyteller, and the complex, brilliantly coloured paintings that accompany each story help to unify the book.” – Quill & Quire
Peace Walker: The Legends of Hiawatha and Tekanawita
Written by C.J. Taylor
Hardcover | 48 pages
Ages 8+
ISBN 978-0-88776-547-6
“In a style reminiscent of oral storytelling, the author weaves the legend of the Confederacy of the Five Nations.” – The Horn Book Guide
A Northern Alphabet
Written and illustrated by Ted Harrison
Paperback | 32 pages
Ages 6+
ISBN: 978-0-88776-960-3
“Harrison’s long association in the Yukon makes him an excellent choice to represent this region. …use of bright colours, fluid shapes and the simplicity of the central figures are evocative of the art of this region…. Harrison’s beautiful paintings are reason alone to purchase this book…. The simplicity of the art and text allows A Northern Alphabet to be accessible to the young reader as a read-a-loud primer…. Further, the art and region specific content will make this a ‘must have’ book for the upper elementary grades studying the North. Finally, this book provides an inexpensive example of Ted Harrison’s work for art programs with a focus on Canadian artists. … It is definitely a “keeper” in my library. Highly Recommended” – CM Magazine
Watching Jimmy