Nokum Is My Teacher

by David Bouchard, Allen Sapp (Illustrator)

Will you walk with me, Grandmother?
Will you talk with me a while?
I'm finding life confusing
And I_m looking for some answers
To questions all around me
At that school and on the street.
You have always been here for me -
Will you help me learn to see?

Nokum Is My Teacher is the poetically told story of a young aboriginal boy, posing questions to his grandmother, his "Nokum", about the wider world beyond the familiarity of their home and community. Through a series of questions, Nokum guides her grandson towards an understanding of his need to fit into and learn more about this large world beyond the reserve. Nokum offers her grandson a vision of a world he can enter through imagination and reading, while retaining respect for the ways of his people. By the conclusion of the book, the young grandson has learned many new ideas from his grandmother and discovered his own wisdom in dealing with the changes in his life.

Nokum Is My Teacher is a delightfully packaged book and audio CD, combining the written text in English and Cree with the mesmerizing voice of author/storyteller extraordinaire David Bouchard. It is illustrated by the hauntingly beautiful artworks of Allan Sapp, Cree elder, Governor General's Award-winner, and Officer of the Order of Canada. The singing and drumming are done by Alberta's Northern Cree, who have been nominated for a Grammy Award (2007) in the 'Native American music album' category.

Nokum Is My Teacher is also available in French/Cree text and audio.

This is the first of a series of aboriginal books David Bouchard is developing with Red Deer Press.

Genres: Indigenous, Picture Books, Canada, Childrens, Native American, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 21, 2006

About the author

Canadian Métis author and literacy advocate David Bouchard has produced more than fifty books for readers of all ages, including two guides on reading for parents and educators.

An erstwhile teacher and school principal, he is particularly concerned with Aboriginal-related issues and is a sought-after speaker for conference keynotes and school presentations and on topics of reading, literacy and aboriginal well-being.

David Bouchard's books have won numerous awards, including a Special Mention for Non-Fiction in the 2010 Bologna Ragazzi Awards for The Drum Calls Softly, a Gold Medal in the 2008 Moonbeam Award for I am Raven, the 2004 Governor General's Award for The Song Within My Heart, the 1999 Red Cedar Award for The Great Race and the 1997 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Voices from the Wild. An Aboriginal Carol was included in the 2008 White Ravens Catalogue.

In April 2009, Bouchard was named as a Member of the Order of Canada "for his contributions as an author of children’s books and an advocate who has championed the cause of reading and writing, and who has shared his pride as a member of the Métis community through his stories."

David lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with his wife Vicki and their daughter Victoria.

-taken from the author's website

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Bouchard presents a bilingual( English and Cree) tale of a young boy and his "Nokum" (Grandmother). The little boy is wondering about life on and off his reserve and needs his grandmother's help to understand. I recommend this book to teachers, librarians, and parents that wish to expose their students/children to indigenous voices in literature.

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through a conversational inquiry, Canadian Métis author David Bouchard’s 2006 picture book Nokum is My Teacher (which is dual language English and Cree) carries his readers/listeners on a beautiful and wonderful textual journey exploring the relationship, the give and take of teaching and of learning between a young Cree boy and his Nokum, his grandmother. And yes, this enchanting and poetical dialogue, it honours and celebrates equally both the Cree and English language by Bouchard having the dual text appear in columns throughout Nokum is My Teacher, and indeed, this format really does visually invite us to imagine the conversation between Nokum and her grandson occurring in either language (or even in both languages) as David Bouchard makes the boy keep question his place in the world, repeatedly asking his grandmother for guidance and even wondering how relevant his school learning (including reading) will be in his life when held in contrast to his experiences as a Cree and his cultural traditions. And when the grandmother responds, she in Nokum is my Teacher shows her grandson that both traditional Cree knowledge and culture as well as modern education are important and the young boy soon realises the value of both traditional knowledge and also the importance of the know-how he will be gaining from his experiences in school (where there are other teachers, but indeed, that learning to respect and appreciate ALL knowledge and learning are necessary and essential, and for the young boy, this starts with his Nokum, with his grandmother basically in Nokum is My Teacher being his very first and also probably most important instructor, as she sets her grandson on the path of appreciating EVERY KIND of learning, including what he is provided with at school).

And Cree artist Allen Sapp’s painterly accompanying illustrations for Nokum is My Teacher, they exquisitely and with beautifully realistic detail show and depict both contemporary and traditional Cree lives and they also invite the intended audience (older children from about the age of eight or so onwards, and yes, including adults as well, in my opinion) to reflect (both visually and with David Bouchard's dual language text of course also textually, verbally) on their own stories, on their own backgrounds and on the importance of place, family and community. Four stars and highly recommended is Nokum is My Teacher (and I certainly do regret that my own paperback edition did not end up coming with the accompanying CD, which I do think is a very annoying shortcoming, and probably the ONLY reason for my rating for the 2019 paperback edition of Nokum is My Teacher being four and not five stars).

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young Cree boy questions the necessity of learning to read and studying outside ways in this thoughtful bilingual picture-book, with text in both English and Cree. He wonders what use he will have for the skills taught in school, and asks whether whites have any reciprocal interest in the Cree culture. His wise Nokum, or grandmother, responds to each of his queries with a question of her own, helping him to think through the issues for himself.

Like David Bouchard's more recent The Drum Calls Softly , Nokum Is My Teacher includes a CD containing a narration of both the English and Cree versions of the story, together with singing and drumming by the pow-wow group, Northern Cree. This is quite helpful for those, like me, who have never heard Cree spoken aloud, and would have no idea how to pronounce the written words. The "background" sounds reflect what's happening in Allen Sapp's illustrations, which depict the young boy and his Nokum on a sleigh ride through a winter landscape. Well worth the time of any reader, young or old, with an interest in this First Nation people, or in the broader question of cross-cultural learning and exchange!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if Bouchard is not Native, Sapp is. And his art is what makes the book so wonderful. Add in the music CD and the fact that the text is bilingual, and we have a valuable book.

No, I don't know if Nokum would really have used the Platonic teaching strategy. Skip the text if you want. But support the illustrator and the attempt at representation.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interactive picture book with QR code that has the story read in both English and Cree along with the drumming and singing by the group Northern Cree. The illustrations are paintings by Canadian Cree painter Allen Sapp.
The story is about a boy asking his Nokum, Grandmother, about why he should learn to read and write like a white person. He would rather learn through singing and drumming as is the cultural way. Nokum, in her wisdom and according to Aboriginal teachings, leads him to find the answer for himself.
I loved this book that shows respect for both ways of teaching.

[Karl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let’s be very clear. Bouchard’s books are stunning artifacts. They mostly have indigenous language translations, this one in Cree. They sometimes have music CD’s, this one by the incredible Pow Wow group Northern Cree. They are always illustrated by giants of the art world, in this case Allen Sapp ( Cree) BUT -and this is a huge but, Bouchard allegedly is not, as he has claimed throughout his illustrious award winning writing career, not Metis. This has come out in Oct 2018 through trusted Metis channels ( Chelsea Vowel) and I just can’t support cultural appropriation or another Joseph Boyden scenario. If the narrative changes I will change my review in fairness.

[Katie Bruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Nokum Is My Teacher," a young little boy is asking his grandmother questions in a poem form. The questions are about how their home and community goes beyond the wider world. Through all his questions, the grandmother guides him in the right direction. She encourages him to go out and learn more about the world around him. This book will teach young English Language Learners to not be afraid to find out what you're curious about in the world.

[Robert Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It's very enjoyable for me to learn about other cultures. You don't have to agree with another culture's views, but you can learn something by exploring other cultures. After reading and enjoying this book, I now have interest in learning more about the Cree language ad culture. Good night, All. Go World.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't decide what I love more, the illustrations, or the words! Such a beautiful book and story that is told.

[Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that details a grandmother's love and wisdom in helping a grandchild navigate difficulties of life.

[Kristyan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would work excellently as a supplement to a unit on Inuit or other Native American people and traditions, and teachers could also use it to teach about colonialism and the destruction of native cultures. Both teachers and students could learn about how perceptions of learning vary from culture to culture. I would also recommend using this book as a way to study oral history and storytelling; the boy's "Nokum," or grandmother, has passed down ancient knowledge to him that he is afraid will be replaced if he is forced to "learn" in white-established schools. The book also has incredibly beautiful oil-painted illustrations that resonate a somber but enduring tone throughout the pages, bringing the importance of the Native American plight into an emotional perspective for the reader.

[Beazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nokum is My Teacher, by David Bouchard

David Bouchard is a Canadian Metis Author. This work is written through free verse poetry. It deals with a young boy who learns a great lesson from his grandmother, as he questions why he needs to get a formal education when his grandmother and uncles did not.
Use this to inspire the need for reading and education in your FNMI and non-FNMI students.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer this to the Drum Calls softly, as there is more in the content for readers who do not know Cree. The CD is very helpful in understanding the writing. Great as a listening activity. Could be used for ages 5-8

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have listened to David Bouchard speak a few times and love to hear his passion for books and reading and learning. He is a great representative of his culture. The CD that goes with this book is a perfect addition.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love that it came with a CD of the book and songs by Northern Cree

[Vandy]

thought provoking poem showing their confusion of an Indian child about differences in schools.