When We Were Alone

When We Were Alone is a children's picture book written by David Robertson and illustrated by Julie Flett. The text is available in English and in a special edition featuring Swampy Cree syllabics and Roman orthography translation. The story centers on a conversation between a young girl and her grandmother while they work together in a garden. Through their dialogue, the grandmother reveals aspects of her childhood experiences at a residential school in Canada. The book has received multiple honors, including the 2017 Governor General's Literary Award for Young People's Literature. The illustrations by Julie Flett incorporate traditional Indigenous artistic elements while maintaining accessibility for young readers. This work introduces young readers to the history of residential schools through a gentle intergenerational narrative, emphasizing themes of cultural identity, resistance, and family bonds.

Readers value this book as a gentle introduction to residential schools for young children. Parents and teachers note it creates natural opportunities for discussions about Indigenous history and identity. Readers highlighted: - Age-appropriate handling of difficult subject matter - Beautiful illustrations by Julie Flett - Effective use of contrasts between past/present - The grandmother's loving relationship with her grandchild - Cultural details woven naturally into the story Common criticisms: - Some felt it oversimplified complex historical issues - A few readers wanted more historical context included Ratings: Goodreads: 4.46/5 (2,300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (1,100+ ratings) "This book helped my 6-year-old understand why her friend's grandmother doesn't speak her native language," noted one parent reviewer. A teacher commented: "My students were able to connect with the story through the grandmother-child relationship while learning about this important history."

Stolen Words by Melanie Florence A Cree girl learns about residential schools from her grandfather and the loss of Indigenous languages through generations.

When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton An Inuit girl maintains her sense of identity while being forced to attend a residential school in the Canadian Arctic.

Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton A young Indigenous girl faces cultural oppression at a residential school but maintains her spirit through resistance.

I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis, Kathy Kacer The true story of a girl's experience in the Canadian residential school system and her family's fight to keep their culture.

Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell A young Indigenous girl spends her last four days before entering residential school collecting memories of her family and culture.

🔸 The book won the 2017 Governor General's Literary Award for Young People's Literature (Illustrated Books), one of Canada's most prestigious literary honors. 🔸 Author David Robertson is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and has written over 25 books across multiple genres, including memoir, children's literature, and graphic novels. 🔸 The residential school system operated in Canada for over 160 years (1831-1996), affecting more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children. 🔸 Illustrator Julie Flett, who is Cree-Métis, has been described as one of the most talented Indigenous illustrators working in children's literature today. 🔸 The book's structure of a garden conversation mirrors traditional Indigenous storytelling methods, where knowledge is passed down through natural, everyday interactions between generations.