Missing Nimâmâ

Missing Nimâmâ tells the story of a young Indigenous woman named Kateri and her mother through alternating perspectives. The narrative follows Kateri from childhood to motherhood, while her mother watches as a spirit. The book addresses the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada through a personal lens. The dual narratives create a connection between mother and daughter despite their physical separation. Written in free verse poetry with mixed media illustrations, this work combines text and visuals to explore themes of loss, family bonds, and Indigenous identity. The story examines cycles of violence while highlighting the resilience and strength of Indigenous women and their communities.

Readers find Missing Nimâmâ effective at addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women through its poetic dual narrative structure. Many note its value as an educational tool for younger readers while handling sensitive subject matter. Likes: - François Thisdale's artwork receives consistent praise for its emotional depth - The verse format makes difficult topics accessible - Helps children understand Indigenous perspectives - Cultural authenticity in storytelling Dislikes: - Some find the subject matter too heavy for young readers - A few mention the story feels rushed - The ending leaves questions unanswered Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (290 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (21 ratings) Notable Review: "This picture book packs an emotional punch...handles difficult subject matter with grace and sensitivity" - Youth Services Book Review The book won the 2016 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award and appears on multiple school reading lists.

When We Were Alone by David Robertson A grandmother shares with her granddaughter the story of her time in residential school through gentle moments in their garden.

I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis, Kathy Kacer A firsthand account follows eight-year-old Irene as she is taken from her First Nations family to live in a residential school.

Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton The true story of an Inuit girl's determination to learn to read despite mistreatment at residential school.

The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad The origin story of Orange Shirt Day unfolds through Phyllis's experience of having her orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school.

My Name Is Seepeetza by Shirley Sterling Through diary entries, a twelve-year-old girl documents her life at residential school and her memories of home with her family.

🌟 The book is written in two voices: Kateri, a young Indigenous girl growing up without her mother, and her mother's spirit watching over her through the years 🌟 Author Melanie Florence drew inspiration from the thousands of cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, a tragic ongoing crisis that has affected countless families 🌟 The term "Nimâmâ" means "my mother" in Cree, one of the largest Indigenous language groups in Canada 🌟 Illustrator François Thisdale combines digital manipulation with traditional painting techniques to create ethereal images that blend reality with spiritual elements 🌟 The book won the 2016 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, which recognizes excellence in children's literature while celebrating uniquely Canadian works