The dual language edition, in Plains Cree and English, of Stolen Words, the award-winning story of the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. When she asks her grandfather how to say something in Cree, he tells her that his language was stolen from him when he was a boy. The little girl then sets out to help her grandfather find his language again. This sensitive and warmly illustrated picture book explores the intergenerational impact of the residential school system that separated young Indigenous children from their families. The story recognizes the pain of those whose culture and language were taken from them, how that pain is passed down, and how healing can also be shared.
Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Books of 2017 to Give Readers Strength | 2017 | Commended
Shelf Awareness Best Picture Books of the Year | 2017 | Commended
The Children's Book Review's Best Picture Books of 2017 | 2017 | Commended
Ontario Library Association's 2018 Best Bets | 2018 | Commended
Elizabeth Mrazik Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award | 2017 | Short-listed
Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award | 2018 | Winner
2018 (Spring) - Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens - Starred Selection | 2018 | Commended
Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award - CCBC's TD Canadian Children's Book Awards | 2018 | Short-listed
"Stolen Words / kimotinaniwiw itwewina recognizes the pain of those whose culture and language were taken from them, and reveals how that pain is passed down, and how healing can also be shared — making it a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library bilingual picture book collections for children."