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Shi-shi-etko
Shi-shi-etko just has four days until she will have to leave her family and everything she knows to attend residential school. She spends her last precious days at home treasuring and appreciating the beauty of her world; the dancing sunlight, the tall grass, each shiny rock, the tadpoles in the creek, her grandfather's paddle song. Her mother, father, and grandmother, each in turn, share valuable teachings that they want her to remember. Shi-shi-etko carefully gathers her memories for safekeeping.
LaFave's richly hued illustrations complement Campbell's gently moving and poetic account of a child who finds solace around her, even though she is on the verge of great loss; a loss that native people have endured for generations because of Canada's residential schools system.
LaFave's richly hued illustrations complement Campbell's gently moving and poetic account of a child who finds solace around her, even though she is on the verge of great loss; a loss that native people have endured for generations because of Canada's residential schools system.
Hardcover
First published August 9, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
November 14, 2017
I am reading a few indigenous books, thanks in part to my library, and this one is a good one. It focuses on a young girl who is forced to go at a young age to a Canadian residential school, the purpose of which is to "educate" in the ways of the dominant majority and to forbid the practice of her family and tribal traditions and language. The title, her name, also denied to her at these schools, is a proud and defiant reinscription of what her parents gave her, which means "loves to swim in the river." A good way to get kids into the topic, since it is so positive: Her parents get her to memorize what she knows of her home and customs, and fill a bag full of artifacts to remember home. Feels real and personal and sweet and so sad.
February 28, 2021
So yes and very much really unfortunately, I have read in some reviews of Nicola I. Campbell’s 2005 picture book Shi-shi-etko that the author’s, that Campbell’s featured narrative is supposedly not nearly sufficiently negative and condemning regarding the cultural genocide of the residential school experience for Canada’s First Nations, that the author’s text should therefore not only be more verbally horrifying but that it should also feature Shi-shi-etko’s actual experiences after she arrives at residential school and not just the few days before she is mandated to depart (with no legal way for either students or parents to object to this, and with the First Nations students actually being sent to school in a cattle truck like animals, like livestock, and which is indeed really rather majorly chilling in and of itself but also very subtly and not too obviously depicted).
But honestly and of course also in my own personal and humble opinion, the gentle nature of Nicola I. Campbell’s words, of Shi-shi-etko saying her descriptive, beautiful and heartfelt goodbyes to everything and everyone familiar to her and making essential and fond memories to take internally along in her heart to make her, to render Shi-shi-etko’s time at residential school less traumatic and thus more bearable (and knowing full well that residential school will of course be very much different to life at home and not just with regard to Shi-shi-etko probably being homesick), this is indeed totally emotionally powerful and certainly does in every way feature the residential school experience as being something that will obviously be both negative and painful and as such equally not in any manner truly educational and positive for the attending students, leaving Shi-shi-etko as an emotionally poignant introduction to the residential school experience but also without too much horror and terror so as not to overwhelm and unnecessarily frighten the intended audience (younger children from about the age of four to around seven or eight years of age).
And combined with Kim Lafave’s luminous and glowing accompanying artwork, which is both colourful and at the same time also rather subdued and totally does visually and aesthetically gloriously mirror Nicola I. Campbell’s narrative and as such also our young protagonist’s emotions, Shi-shi-etko’s feelings, I definitely do find Shi-shi-etko both delightful and emotionally powerful and certainly very much and highly recommended.
But honestly and of course also in my own personal and humble opinion, the gentle nature of Nicola I. Campbell’s words, of Shi-shi-etko saying her descriptive, beautiful and heartfelt goodbyes to everything and everyone familiar to her and making essential and fond memories to take internally along in her heart to make her, to render Shi-shi-etko’s time at residential school less traumatic and thus more bearable (and knowing full well that residential school will of course be very much different to life at home and not just with regard to Shi-shi-etko probably being homesick), this is indeed totally emotionally powerful and certainly does in every way feature the residential school experience as being something that will obviously be both negative and painful and as such equally not in any manner truly educational and positive for the attending students, leaving Shi-shi-etko as an emotionally poignant introduction to the residential school experience but also without too much horror and terror so as not to overwhelm and unnecessarily frighten the intended audience (younger children from about the age of four to around seven or eight years of age).
And combined with Kim Lafave’s luminous and glowing accompanying artwork, which is both colourful and at the same time also rather subdued and totally does visually and aesthetically gloriously mirror Nicola I. Campbell’s narrative and as such also our young protagonist’s emotions, Shi-shi-etko’s feelings, I definitely do find Shi-shi-etko both delightful and emotionally powerful and certainly very much and highly recommended.
June 5, 2017
This is a great story about a Native American girl named Shi-shi-etko. In just four days she will have to leave her family and all that she knows to attend residential school. This book is the lead up to that day. She spent her last days at home enjoying everything around her. She learns valuable lessons from her mother, father and grandmother.
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December 6, 2016I read a lot of picture books at work, and often I select a random interesting topic or theme and just grab a stack. Recently I’ve been working my way through as many recommended Indigenous picture books, and Shi-shi-etko is a standout selection. It follows a young girl as she prepares to go to residential school – where she will be forbidden to practice her family and tribal traditions and language. The illustrations alone make it outstanding, but the book is also a wonderful way to introduce a difficult topic. By focusing on the things she does before leaving, Campbell keeps the focus on the real people these things happened to.
–Amy Diegelman
from The Best Books We Read In October 2016: http://bookriot.com/2016/10/31/riot-r...
–Amy Diegelman
from The Best Books We Read In October 2016: http://bookriot.com/2016/10/31/riot-r...
June 9, 2019
A heart-breaking picture book, lyrically told and beautifully illustrated, Shi-shi-etko relates the story of a young girl's last four days at home, before her enforced separation from her family at one of Canada's residential schools for Native children. Rather than focusing on the residential school experience itself, Campbell (who is of Interior Salish & Metis ancestry) chooses to locate her narrative in the days leading up to the departure, emphasizing the family love and warmth that surround Shi-Shi-etko ("She loves to play in the water"), and the truly violent and traumatic nature of her separation from all that she knows.
Accompanied by LaFave's luminous, dream-like illustrations, Campbell's poignant narrative would make an excellent springboard for elementary teachers looking to explain this very disturbing aspect of the indigenous experience to young students. Although set in Canada, it has just as much relevance for students of U.S. history, where similar institutions flourished.
Accompanied by LaFave's luminous, dream-like illustrations, Campbell's poignant narrative would make an excellent springboard for elementary teachers looking to explain this very disturbing aspect of the indigenous experience to young students. Although set in Canada, it has just as much relevance for students of U.S. history, where similar institutions flourished.
July 19, 2012
The subject of being torn from family as a child is handled gently in this book. From the illustrations (rich, sharp tones of reds, oranges, browns, yellows ... these are the ones I remember best) to the writing, the simplicity of the girl's mind, I was impressed by how the author conveys the whole mess of kids entering the devastating residential school experience by going back to a time of normalcy and dignity. I commend her for putting aside the emotions that come with cultural, familial, and psychological dessimation to put forth a book of childhood wonder and understated celebration of Aboriginal heritage.
Immediately afterwards I thought where's the sequel? Thinking more about it I came to think a sequel would ruin it. The purity of this little girl's farewell experiences need to be preserved considering what she'd see next.
Immediately afterwards I thought where's the sequel? Thinking more about it I came to think a sequel would ruin it. The purity of this little girl's farewell experiences need to be preserved considering what she'd see next.
June 13, 2024
An exquisitely rendered children's picture book both in its artwork and language. We get a window into the Canadian residential school system, through the viewpoint of an indigenous child who is preparing to leave the security of her home and culture behind. At the end of the book, she is picked up by a cattle truck, a cattle truck! We are not explicitly told of the abuses of the residential system, but we feel this child's loss. This would be an excellent and child-appropriate introduction when teaching this difficult part of American and Canadian history.
December 9, 2012
I am not so sure about this book. Residential schools in Canada were traumatic for the Native American children who had to attend and would not see their families and familiar surroundings for extended periods of time. The also contributed to the destruction of Native American culture.
So here is this book describing how a little girl spends several days saying good-bye to everything she knows, counting down the days she has left. The story is one of nature and family and love, very peaceful and serene. What does a child gain from reading this soothing story about such an important part of history?
I don't know.
The illustrations of this picture book are digital creations. Their coloring and suggestion of texture is very appealing. More than once did I want to pick one of the fall leaves of the pages.
So here is this book describing how a little girl spends several days saying good-bye to everything she knows, counting down the days she has left. The story is one of nature and family and love, very peaceful and serene. What does a child gain from reading this soothing story about such an important part of history?
I don't know.
The illustrations of this picture book are digital creations. Their coloring and suggestion of texture is very appealing. More than once did I want to pick one of the fall leaves of the pages.
August 3, 2020
A heart-aching book as we know of the horrific outcome of residential schools for Indigenous people in Canada. The focus on saving to memory to remind a child of their identity was exquisitely captured. An important must-read.
July 14, 2021
This book is about the few days leading up to a young Indigenous girl's start at a residential school. She is looking forward to school, she is counting the sleeps. Each day she continues to learn from family members, who remind her to remember teachings and traditional ways. She gathers medicines and promises to keep her memories close and return the next spring.
This is a good book but I think it needs to go with a conversation. Unlike many other books about residential schools, it has a positive feel to it, because it's taking place BEFORE the child is actually in residential school, before she faces horrors. It's meant to be this way, it's meant to show her excitement. As an adult, with the knowledge and history I have, I can feel how the story is going to end, but a child will not. A child might not differentiate between their experiences at school and the experiences of an Indigenous child at a residential school. This is why I think a discussion needs to be had about residential schools and the losses that this little girl will go through and how changed she will be in the spring. As well as how important the teachings she is given before leaving are/will be. The children who are being read this book are definitely at an age where something can be sensitively discussed with them to further their understanding of the topic and of the book.
The art and colour palette are beautiful- vibrant and warm and reminiscent of fall. The central message is very good and the overall story about family and culture very educational but also comforting (to me anyways). I think this is a special book because of what it addresses but I do believe the reader has a role in making the story important.
This is a good book but I think it needs to go with a conversation. Unlike many other books about residential schools, it has a positive feel to it, because it's taking place BEFORE the child is actually in residential school, before she faces horrors. It's meant to be this way, it's meant to show her excitement. As an adult, with the knowledge and history I have, I can feel how the story is going to end, but a child will not. A child might not differentiate between their experiences at school and the experiences of an Indigenous child at a residential school. This is why I think a discussion needs to be had about residential schools and the losses that this little girl will go through and how changed she will be in the spring. As well as how important the teachings she is given before leaving are/will be. The children who are being read this book are definitely at an age where something can be sensitively discussed with them to further their understanding of the topic and of the book.
The art and colour palette are beautiful- vibrant and warm and reminiscent of fall. The central message is very good and the overall story about family and culture very educational but also comforting (to me anyways). I think this is a special book because of what it addresses but I do believe the reader has a role in making the story important.
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June 15, 2023I will not be rating this book as it is a picture book.
Another beautiful Indigenous picture book that highlights the life of a young girl as she waits to go to residential school. It is a beautiful look at how this child's parents prepared her and reminded her of her culture before she left. I felt that the ending was a little bit abrupt, and the overall tone of the book felt almost hopeful to me, which I find misleading. Overall, still very good, and one I recommend.
Another beautiful Indigenous picture book that highlights the life of a young girl as she waits to go to residential school. It is a beautiful look at how this child's parents prepared her and reminded her of her culture before she left. I felt that the ending was a little bit abrupt, and the overall tone of the book felt almost hopeful to me, which I find misleading. Overall, still very good, and one I recommend.
January 1, 2020
I read this for the "By An Indigenous Author" part of my 2020 reading challenge. A story about a young girl memorizing her surroundings and heritage before being sent off to school, moving and beautifully illustrated.
April 14, 2014
Our Northern Studies class read and reviewed this book together.
This book is about a girl named Shi-shi-etko. She is getting ready to go to residential school. She is leaving her family behind. She is excited, nervous, and anxious about going to school. She was counting down the days. Her mother tells her to not forget her culture, the ways of her people, and to remember everything. Her aunties, uncles, cousins and family all come to say goodbye to her. Her grandfather shows her how to make a memory bag. She leaves the memory bag behind and goes to the school.
We recommend reading this book. It is based on a true story about a girl going to residential school. This is important because it is a topic that all Canadians should know about because so many people were affected by it, and are still affected today.
This book is about a girl named Shi-shi-etko. She is getting ready to go to residential school. She is leaving her family behind. She is excited, nervous, and anxious about going to school. She was counting down the days. Her mother tells her to not forget her culture, the ways of her people, and to remember everything. Her aunties, uncles, cousins and family all come to say goodbye to her. Her grandfather shows her how to make a memory bag. She leaves the memory bag behind and goes to the school.
We recommend reading this book. It is based on a true story about a girl going to residential school. This is important because it is a topic that all Canadians should know about because so many people were affected by it, and are still affected today.
June 14, 2016
The illustrations in this story really help bring the plot summary to life. This book is meant for students in elementary school and intermediate school (grades 2-6). The story is set in Canada during the time period where the Native children have to move out of their villages and go to public school so that they can learn English and assimilate to the culture. The child in this story named Shi-shi-etko counts down her last 4 days before she has to go away. She is saddened because her village is so beautiful and peaceful and she is unsure of the unknown. She talks about memorizing things around her so she will not forget about them such as the tall grass and her home. This story overall discusses the beautify of the Native North American Cultures and the sadness that many children had to go through.
January 3, 2020
I should be relieved to read a book on the subject that doesn't break my heart. This is sad, but leaves open room for hope. After all, not every child experienced misery every moment that they were in residential school. But after reading Stolen Words and When We Were Alone I just can't appreciate anything less moving, less gorgeous, than those.
I'm going to check if there's a Listopia....
I'm going to check if there's a Listopia....
March 2, 2018
Little Shi-shi-etko, an Indigenous girl, tries to memorize every part of her world, before she's robbed of her name and identity and sent to residential school.
I didn't know about this horrible part of a Canadian history, and I'm thankful to Nicola I. Campbell, for shining a light onto this with all the beauty of her words and to Kim LaFave for her gorgeous ilustrations.
I've added a link to an article where you can learn more about this awful institutions.
And, of course, read this book!
P.S. I feel so much shame toward actions of white people every day...
I didn't know about this horrible part of a Canadian history, and I'm thankful to Nicola I. Campbell, for shining a light onto this with all the beauty of her words and to Kim LaFave for her gorgeous ilustrations.
I've added a link to an article where you can learn more about this awful institutions.
And, of course, read this book!
P.S. I feel so much shame toward actions of white people every day...
March 31, 2018
Shi-shi-etko is a beautiful story of a young indigenous story before she is sent away to residential school. It's a wonderful introduction to indigenous kids struggling to hold onto their happy childhood memories and their cultural identity. The illustrations are breathtaking as well.
I definitely recommend this, for kids and adults alike. I look forward to reading more work from Nicola I. Campbell.
I definitely recommend this, for kids and adults alike. I look forward to reading more work from Nicola I. Campbell.
October 15, 2018
I’ve settled into a night of reading indigenous children’s books.
This one is an award winning book that is beautifully illustrated and well written. The pall of an impending trip to residential school looms over the book but the young child is wrapped in love as she travels the woods with family creating a medicine bundle of protective healing memories. A pinch of tobacco of course.
This one is an award winning book that is beautifully illustrated and well written. The pall of an impending trip to residential school looms over the book but the young child is wrapped in love as she travels the woods with family creating a medicine bundle of protective healing memories. A pinch of tobacco of course.
November 8, 2012
This children’s book deals with She-she-etko as she prepares herself to go to residential school. Before the cattle truck comes to pick up the children, She-she-etko takes the time to remember her heartland and the seasons she’ll return to.
April 14, 2015
Such a beautiful book about a very heartbreaking topic. My students were mesmerized. And full of questions.
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December 24, 2016One of the best
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2020
This beautiful book balances showing the reality of residential schools with the joy to be found in indigenous traditions and the land perfectly. The love of the family members for each other also really shines through.
June 20, 2023
I love the writingstyle so much. I reads so so nicely
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September 22, 2025pretty art coupled with beautiful writing.
August 1, 2022
This is a children's picture book. Shi-shi-etko is a joung Indigenous girl who in four days will leave her family and village to attend residential school. Before her departure her parents and grandmother share valuable teachings with her that they want her to remember. She gathers these memories and places them by Grandfather Tree to keep them and her family safe while she is away. It is a moving story as we know that the residential school system will work towards removing Shi-shi-etko's culture from her memory and replace it with the English language and its culture. The illustrations in the book are beautiful with soft lines and autumn colors.
October 5, 2024
what a gorgeous book
November 14, 2017
Summary:
This book tells the story of a young Native American girl who is counting the days she has left with her family before she has to leave to go to school. Each day she spends time with a different family member, soaking in the views, smells, and sounds as much as she can to ensure that she remembers her culture when she leaves them. While never explicitly stated in the book, the little girl, Shi-shi-etko is leaving to go to a Native American Boarding school in Canada in the late 1800s according to the author’s note presented at the beginning of the chapter.
Evaluation:
This book was a heartfelt story about a young girl who is being separated from her family to go to school in Canada. The watercolor, brushed, and warm colored illustrations add a calmness to the story. The author of this story is of Native decent and wrote the story with inspiration from stories told by her family members who lived in the times of the Native American boarding schools. While this story never explicitly said why Shi-shi-etko had to go so far away from school, the readers find out through reading the author’s note. The author takes a story that is tragic and makes it a warming story about a girl and her attempts to remember everything about where she comes from before having to leave behind everything she knows and holds dear.
Teaching Idea:
This book could be used in a social studies setting that discusses the late 1800s and the Native American boarding schools. The teacher could read this book aloud to the students and then provide a brief synopsis through a discussion and/or video to provide students with background information about the boarding schools that Native Americans were forced to attend. As an activity, the students could be separated into groups and be given a different persona--either Native Americans or Europeans. The groups could do research and develop a presentation that provides detailed information about the boarding schools (from their personified perspective) and the effects of them. The groups could then share their presentations to the class.
This book tells the story of a young Native American girl who is counting the days she has left with her family before she has to leave to go to school. Each day she spends time with a different family member, soaking in the views, smells, and sounds as much as she can to ensure that she remembers her culture when she leaves them. While never explicitly stated in the book, the little girl, Shi-shi-etko is leaving to go to a Native American Boarding school in Canada in the late 1800s according to the author’s note presented at the beginning of the chapter.
Evaluation:
This book was a heartfelt story about a young girl who is being separated from her family to go to school in Canada. The watercolor, brushed, and warm colored illustrations add a calmness to the story. The author of this story is of Native decent and wrote the story with inspiration from stories told by her family members who lived in the times of the Native American boarding schools. While this story never explicitly said why Shi-shi-etko had to go so far away from school, the readers find out through reading the author’s note. The author takes a story that is tragic and makes it a warming story about a girl and her attempts to remember everything about where she comes from before having to leave behind everything she knows and holds dear.
Teaching Idea:
This book could be used in a social studies setting that discusses the late 1800s and the Native American boarding schools. The teacher could read this book aloud to the students and then provide a brief synopsis through a discussion and/or video to provide students with background information about the boarding schools that Native Americans were forced to attend. As an activity, the students could be separated into groups and be given a different persona--either Native Americans or Europeans. The groups could do research and develop a presentation that provides detailed information about the boarding schools (from their personified perspective) and the effects of them. The groups could then share their presentations to the class.
August 25, 2017
Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell is the story of a girl who in four days time must leave her family to attend residential school. We follow Shi-shi-etko as she soaks up all of the beauty and wonder of her home and her family so she can fill herself up until she is able to return home again.
As an adult, reading this book is heart wrenching since we know where and what will potentially become of Shi-shi-etko. However, for our children, it provides a beautiful outlet to discuss family, favourite places and people, and why these things are so important to us. The lyrical text by Nicola I. Campbell and the rich and liquid illustrations by Kim LaFave are completely welcoming, drawing you into the story from page one. As with many books about the topic of residential schools, there is a perfect note from the author at the beginning to help lead a discussion with the younger generation about Residential School and the inherent problems with the system. I would share this picture book with preschool children and older.
This critically-acclaimed book is published by Groundwood Books. Shi-shi-etko is another fantastic book for every child.
As an adult, reading this book is heart wrenching since we know where and what will potentially become of Shi-shi-etko. However, for our children, it provides a beautiful outlet to discuss family, favourite places and people, and why these things are so important to us. The lyrical text by Nicola I. Campbell and the rich and liquid illustrations by Kim LaFave are completely welcoming, drawing you into the story from page one. As with many books about the topic of residential schools, there is a perfect note from the author at the beginning to help lead a discussion with the younger generation about Residential School and the inherent problems with the system. I would share this picture book with preschool children and older.
This critically-acclaimed book is published by Groundwood Books. Shi-shi-etko is another fantastic book for every child.
May 2, 2013
Tags: multicultural, Canadian natives, residential school, good byes, children, family, heritage, culture, color in illustrations, movement, nature,
Shi-Shi-etko is a little girl who will be leaving her family to go to a residential school mandated by the government. In the last days before she leaves members of her family take her out into nature to remind her about what she has learned and to help her remember her heritage. Her grandmother, yayah, gives her a soft deerskin bag in which to put her memories so she will not forget who she is and where she belongs. Illustrations are just stunning. The pages on the movement of the river and the leaves flowing in the water are beautifully done. Book is written by a Canadian native.
Campbell, Nicola I. pictures by Kim LaFave. "She-shi-etko." House of Anansi Press: Toronto,Canada, 2005.
Shi-Shi-etko is a little girl who will be leaving her family to go to a residential school mandated by the government. In the last days before she leaves members of her family take her out into nature to remind her about what she has learned and to help her remember her heritage. Her grandmother, yayah, gives her a soft deerskin bag in which to put her memories so she will not forget who she is and where she belongs. Illustrations are just stunning. The pages on the movement of the river and the leaves flowing in the water are beautifully done. Book is written by a Canadian native.
Campbell, Nicola I. pictures by Kim LaFave. "She-shi-etko." House of Anansi Press: Toronto,Canada, 2005.
April 18, 2021
As a book to introduce your children to the history of residential schools, which is how I was introduced to it, this would not be my first choice. It gives very little context for what residential schools were and the damage they did to people individually and collectively. For that introduction and background, I would turn to other books like When We Were Alone or even the sequel to this book, by the same author.
As a book about connection to land and family, however, this is a beautiful book. The writing so clearly expresses the deep love that Shi-shi-etko has for the lands and waters she grew up on and her sadness at leaving them behind. For this, I would include it in a collection of books to share that piece of history with my child, to help them imagine what it would be like to leave everything you love behind.
As a book about connection to land and family, however, this is a beautiful book. The writing so clearly expresses the deep love that Shi-shi-etko has for the lands and waters she grew up on and her sadness at leaving them behind. For this, I would include it in a collection of books to share that piece of history with my child, to help them imagine what it would be like to leave everything you love behind.
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