Nokum Is My Teacher is the poetic 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.
Awards/Recognition:
Ânskohk Aboriginal Children’s Book of the Year 2007
Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards 2007 Bronze Medal Winner
Alberta Children’s Book of the Year nominee 2007
The Globe and Mail’s list of recommended children’s books to read in the Saturday edition of Books
Voices (Alberta’s English Language Arts Council Magazine): “This is a complete package for all who crave the familiar comfort of a well-spun tale, or those introducing storytelling to their own children. Wherever you are in the story spectrum, this book belongs on your shelf.”
CM Magazine: “David Bouchard is firmly established as one of Canada’s finest storytellers, and he further enhances his reputation with this book. Bouchard skillfully captures the sense of disillusionment and irrelevance that many children attach to the task of learning to read.”
Globe and Mail: “The dialogue between the grandson and his Nokum is an interestingly enigmatic one, in part because it is unclear whether the boy is summoning up the spirit of his departed Nokum. Does she exist in the flesh or is she a treasured memory? Nokum’s responses to her grandson’s questions are enigmatic as well; she offers not answers so much as more questions for him to consider.”
The Star Phoenix (Saskatoon): “David Bouchard’s Nokum is My Teacher is a stunning picture book.”
Allen Sapp is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Canadian Academy of Arts. A Cree elder, he was raised by his grandmother on the Red Pheasant reserve in Saskatchewan and now calls North Battleford home. The memory of this tender relationship has spawned in Sapp some of his finest and most sensitive works, bringing to his canvas a sense of affection and love.
