Books for sharing this Strawberry Moon

Early Literacy | Jun 16, 2011

by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist

I was driving in my car when I heard the interview on CBC. Diplomat and former lieutenant-governor of Ontario, James Bartleman, was talking about his newest book “As Long As the River Flows”. Bartleman, a member of the Mnjikaning First Nation, has had a highly distinguished career with the Canadian Foreign Service for 35 years. As lieutenant-governor he was highly regarded for his establishment of the Lieutenant-Governor's Book Program, in which more than 1 million used books were collected and donated to First Nations schools.

This isn’t the first book James Bartleman has written. He is author to at least four memoirs, but “As Long As the River Flows” is different. This book is fiction and tells the story of Martha, an Aboriginal woman from Cat Lake First Nation whose life is shaped by the experience of residential school and separation from those she knows and loves. Why fiction? Fiction engages our hearts as well as our minds. The story of Martha helps the reader identify with the experiences of thousands of Aboriginal people. Although it’s a story filled with tragedy and sorrow, Martha is triumphant. Her story ends with forgiveness and hope.

Bartleman is continuing in the tradition of his ancestors by telling stories that help us identify with emotions and difficult circumstances. Aboriginal stories are filled with teachings and examples of how to develop greater moral character and become more resilient people. Aboriginal stories for adults and children have something valuable for all of us – regardless of ethnicity.

The first official day of spring, June 21, is also Aboriginal Day and falls in the sixth month of Creation known as Strawberry Moon. Aboriginal people celebrate Strawberry Moon as a time of reconciliation – a time of letting go of judgement and of self-righteousness; a time of welcoming everyone regardless of differences.

A beautifully illustrated children’s book “The First Strawberries” by Jospeh Bruchac is a Cherokee story of a man and woman who quarrel. Though the woman leaves in anger, it isn’t long before the man regrets his angry words. The man tries to catch up to the woman to make amends but she is too far ahead of him. The Sun takes pity on the man and grows strawberries in the path of the woman to slow her pace and to remind the woman that friendship and respect are as sweet as ripe, red strawberries.

The sharing of oral and printed stories with children impacts their development of vocabulary, reading comprehension and narrative skills. The sharing of Aboriginal stories such as “The First Strawberries” inspires thinking, empathy and provides an opportunity to talk about values too.

This Strawberry Moon, and in the days to follow, consider sharing Aboriginal stories with your child. Your librarian or book seller may have many suggestions of Aboriginal stories you and your child will enjoy sharing together.

Susan Ramsay is the Early Literacy Specialist for Hastings, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. You can contact her at 613-354-6318 (ext 32)