Every Child Matters: Children’s Book About Residential SchoolsLike this list

24 items

• Every Child Matters

  Webstad, Phyllis,

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  Learn the meaning behind the phrase, 'Every Child Matters.' Orange Shirt Day founder, Phyllis Webstad, offers insights into this heartfelt movement.

• Free to Fly

  Iceberg, Karina,

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  In a treehouse by the sea, a grandfather shares the story of how he kept his dreams alive with thoughts of his future grandchild--who is his most precious dream of all.

• Shirley

  An Indian Residential School Story

  Robertson, Joanne, 1960-

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  The inspiring story of a young girl's resilience and survival at residential school.

• Little Shoes

  Robertson, David, 1977-

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  James can't sleep, his mind full of big questions, like why the spinning Earth doesn't make us dizzy. He watches the stars and thinks of his kōkom's night sky stories. When sleep won't come, he goes to his mother's room to talk and cuddle until they…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Miya Wears Orange

  John-Kehewin, Wanda, 1971-

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  A beautifully illustrated book that gently explores the complicated feelings a young girl experiences as she learns about tragedy and injustice.

• Buffalo Dreamer

  Duncan, Violet,

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  Summer's usual relaxed summer on her mom's family reservation in Alberta turns eye-opening when she starts having vivid dreams of fleeing a residential school. Soon after, unmarked children's graves are found at the school her grandfather attended,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dad, I Miss You

  Sammurtok, Nadia,

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  Told in the voice of a boy and his father by turns, this book takes a thoughtful and heartfelt look at the emotional toll of a child taken from their family and community to attend residential school.

• Hummingbird / Aamo-binashee

  Leason, Jennifer

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  In this dual-language picture book in English and Saulteaux-Anishinaabemowin, a girl is chased by Windigo, who preys on her isolation and insecurity. But Grandmother calls to the girl with a message of hope, and a hummingbird arrives with teachings…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Today Is Orange Shirt Day

  Webstad, Phyllis,

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  An authentic, age-appropriate touch-and-feel board book designed for ages 0-3, written by the founder of the Orange Shirt Day movement and author of award-winning picture book Every Child Matters.

• Poppa and His Drum

  a Heartwarming Story of Truth and Reconciliation

  Doucette, Judith M.,

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  As a boy, Poppa moved from an all-French Indigenous community to English-speaking St. George's, where teachers and other children treated him badly. Years later, when his grandson asks him to play the drums at school, Poppa is nervous—but he's…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Secret Pocket

  Janicki, Peggy

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  This illustrated nonfiction picture book tells the true story of how a group of girls at a residential school sewed secret pockets into their clothes to hide food.

• My Name Is Seepeetza

  Sterling, Shirley,

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  An honest, inside look at life in an Indian residential school in the 1950s, and how one indomitable young spirit survived it -- 30th anniversary edition.

• With Our Orange Hearts

  Webstad, Phyllis,

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  In this book, Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, shows how sharing her story with the world helped her process her feelings. Listening is a first step towards reconciliation. It's never too early to start.

• Aggie & Mudgy

  the Journey of Two Kaska Dena Children

  Proverbs, Wendy,

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  Based on the true story of the author’s biological mother and aunt, this middle-grade novel traces the long and frightening journey of two Kaska Dena sisters as they are taken from their home to attend residential school.

• Muinji'j Asks Why

  the Story of the Mi'kmaq and the Shubenacadie Residential School

  MacEachern, Muinji'j,

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  When seven-year-old Muinji'j comes home upset after her teacher talks about residential schools, her Nana and Papa can tell something's wrong. Unlike her classmates, Muinji'j has always known about the schools—she just doesn't understand why they…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• White Raven

  Spathelfer, Teoni, 1963-

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  Little Wolf moves to her ancestors' island to raise her children close to nature and culture. When her mother, White Raven, visits, she shares painful memories of St. Michael's Residential School—hunger, loneliness, and loss of culture that still…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Answering the Calls

  a Child's View of the 94 Calls to Action

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  Canada's work of reconciliation is vital and, if we are going to be successful, we all need to understand the task that lies before us. This book is offered as a tool for that journey.

• Phyllis's Orange Shirt

  Webstad, Phyllis,

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  This is both Phyllis Webstad's true story and the story behind Orange Shirt Day, a day for us all to reflect upon the treatment of First Nations people and the message that 'Every Child Matters'.

• Spirit Bear

  Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams : Based on a True Story

  Blackstock, Cindy,

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  Spirit Bear meets Jake, a dog carrying paper hearts on stakes. Jake explains the hearts will be planted when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report comes out—its Calls to Action will help end unfairness so First Nations, Métis, and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Orange Shirt Story

  Webstad, Phyllis,

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  When Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) turned six, she went to the residential school for the first time. On her first day, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away from her and…Read moreRead more of this annotation