Shi-shi-etko just has four days until she will have to leave her family and everything she knows to attend residential school. She spends her last precious days at home treasuring and appreciating the beauty of her world — the dancing sunlight, the tall grass, each shiny rock, the tadpoles in the creek, her grandfather’s paddle song. Her mother, father, and grandmother, each in turn, share valuable teachings that they want her to remember. Shi-shi-etko carefully gathers her memories for safekeeping.
LaFave’s richly hued illustrations complement Campbell’s gently moving and poetic account of a child who finds solace around her, even though she is on the verge of great loss — a loss that native people have endured for generations because of Canada’s residential schools system.
Children's Literature
This poignant and poetic book tells the story of a young Indian girl who must leave her family to attend boarding school. The author's note at the beginning explains to readers that Canadian Indian children as young as four were forced to attend residential schools many miles away from their parents. Young Shi-shi-etko wistfully counts down the nights, or "sleeps," to her departure while, during the day, members of her family try to instill in her an appreciation for and understanding of her heritage. She retains everything, including the special bag of memories collected with her grandmother, which she hides in an old tree, obviously determined to return to her roots. The illustrations are aptly muted and autumnal, echoing the end of a way of life for Shi-shi-etko. The concept that Shi-shi-etko must leave while the adults, who clearly want her to stay, are powerless to stop her departure may be a bit disturbing for younger readers. 2005, Groundwood Books, Ages 4 to 8.
Publisher:Groundwood Books
Publication date:09/09/2005
Pages:32
Product dimensions: 8.13(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)
Catholic Education Week 2017
Age Range:4 - 7 Years
Catholic Education Week 2017
ISBN: 9780888996596
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