When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a quiet picture book, that sneaks up on you. There are two levels here, one of a young child asking her grandmother, her kókom, why she does things the way she does. Why does she dress in bright colors, why does she wear a long braid, why does she speak in Cree?
And very simply, her kókom explains about the residential schools where these things were all forbidden.
The residential schools were a horrid part of history, and it is important for children, and adults, to realize that real people were hurt by this policy, and its legacy. It is so good that publishers are coming out with stories to tell about this, and being written by Indigenous people as well, as who better to tell their own story.
Highly recommend this book as a beautiful picture book for libraries, schools, and home libraries. This author has also been doing graphic novels of First Nation history, which are amazing as well.
Brovo to High Water Press for this, and other books they have been brining out about the First Nation experience.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.