Children's Fiction Christmas & Advent
An Aboriginal Carol
- Publisher
- Red Deer Press
- Initial publish date
- Nov 2007
- Category
- Christmas & Advent, Native Canadian, General
- Recommended Age
- 4 to 8
- Recommended Grade
- 1
-
Unknown
- ISBN
- 9780889954069
- Publish Date
- Nov 2007
- List Price
- $24.95
-
Unknown
- ISBN
- 9780889954137
- Publish Date
- Nov 2007
- List Price
- $24.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Before the angels stars grew dim
And wondering hunters heard their hymn
One mystic flute - one hundred drums
One message clear, "A King has come!"
Not one had ever seen the like
By light of day or moon of night
Before the angels stars grew dim
And wondering hunters heard this hymn. . .
An Aboriginal Carol is the ultimate Aboriginal collaboration:
Best-selling Canadian author David Bouchard reworks Canada's oldest and most well-known carol, The Huron Carol. The art of Moses Beaver, from the fly-in reserve of Summer Beaver, Ontario (Nikinamik), resonates and awakens an awareness that is at once exciting and empowering, a way for all people to understand the birth of Christ from an Aboriginal worldview. The pride of the north, Susan Aglukark, interprets, for the first time, the revered carol.
Written in French and in Inuktituk, the language of Canada's Inuit people, the book is accompanied by a CD, which includes a reading in both languages and a performance by Susan. Also available in English and Inuktituk. An Aboriginal Carol is certain to become a classic.
About the authors
British Columbia's best-selling author and most sought-after public speaker has presented to hundreds of thousands of educators, parents and students the world over. This former teacher and principal of 28 years champions literacy. His message is spelled out in his best selling books The Gift of Reading and For the Love of Reading.
"The greatest gift we can give our children is the gift of reading and there is no magic in giving it. There is no toy or program that will do the job for us. It takes time, commitment and most of all, fire. We cannot hope to light a fire in the hearts of others without a fire burning in our own. Light and stoke yours, then spread the flame fast and furious. Let literacy be your legacy."
Bouchard outlines individual roles and responsibilities in ascertaining that all children are given the gift of reading. He inspires like none other and leaves his listeners with a concrete plan and the rejuvenation needed to face literacy issues head on.
Born and raised on the Canadian prairie, the author of over twenty five best selling books now lives in British Columbia with his wife Vicki and their combined family of seven.
David Bouchard's books have won several prestigious awards, among them: the Governor General's Award for The Song Within My Heart in 2004 and the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry award for Voices From the Wild in 1997. If You're not from the Prairie is listed on MacLean's list of the Top Twenty Children's books in the history of Canada.
You can access his web page at www.davidbouchard.com.
Moses (Amik) Beaver is from the isolated fly-in community of Nibinamik, 500 kilometers north of Thunder Bay, Ont. While Moses work reflects the black lines of traditional Woodlands art, he embraces his own unique style of embedded images of spirits, human faces and animal forms, transcending physical boundaries to the outer dimensions of the spiritual realm. The images tell stories, represent ancient teachings of his people and remind us, we are all connected to each other and the natural world.
Susan Aglukark is Canada’s first Inuk artist to win a Juno. She has also won a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement and she is an officer of the Order of Canada. Susan holds several honorary doctorate degrees and has held command performances. During a career that has spanned more than twenty-five years, Susan’s journey as a singer-songwriter has led her to reflect on who she is, where she comes from and the importance of discovery—discovery of history, culture, and self. This time of reflection, writing, and songwriting has Susan coming back to one area of profound knowing: Inuit are an extraordinary people deeply grounded in a culture forged by their ancestors. Her children’s book, Una Huna?: What Is This?, and her upcoming album are inspired by these reflections and cultural connections.
Librarian Reviews
An Aboriginal Carol
This picture book shares an original version of The Huron Carol based on Jesous Ahatonhia, originally written by Jean de Brebeuf. It brings together the interpretations of the carol by the three Canadian Aboriginal groups: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The song celebrates the birth of the Aboriginal Jesus, Deganawideh the Peacemaker, first born in Bethlehem then re-born in the Canadian North, sent by God to bring peace and love to the Aboriginal people long before contact with White Europeans. The text is in both English and Inuktitut. An accompanying CD includes readings of the poem and the singing of the Aboriginal Carol in both Inuktitut and English by Canadian singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark.Bouchard is an award-winning author.
Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools. 2008-2009.
An Aboriginal Carol
This stunning retelling of the “Huron Carol” features poetry by Métis poet David Bouchard, paintings by First Nations artist Moses Beaver and the music of Inuit performer Susan Aglukark. Includes a CD with a reading in both languages and a performance by Aglukark.Source: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Best Books for Kids & Teens. 2009.
