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Children's Fiction Native Canadian

Dancing in My Bones

by (author) Wilfred Burton & Anne Patton

illustrated by Sherry Farrell Racette

translated by Norman Fleury

Publisher
Gabriel Dumont Institute
Initial publish date
Jan 2009
Category
Native Canadian
Recommended Age
7
Recommended Grade
2
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780920915899
    Publish Date
    Jan 2009
    List Price
    $12.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Dancing in My Bones, the sequel to the highly successful book Fiddle Dancer, returns us to the story of a young Métis boy named Nolin as he continues to discover his Métis heritage. Lovingly written by Wilfred Burton and Anne Patton and vividly illustrated by Sherry Farrell Racette, Dancing in My Bones will take you on a journey to discover Moushoom’s first moose hunt, red lipstick kisses, Uncle Bunny’s fiddling, and the return of the “Bannock Jig.” But most importantly, by the end of the story, you might feel like you have dancing in your bones! In addition to the story, the book contains a translation into Michif-Cree by Michif specialist Norman Fleury, as well as a CD with narrations in English by author Wilfred Burton, and in Michif by translator Norman Fleury.

About the authors

Wilfred Burton, a proud Michif, grew up in the Midnight Lake area of Saskatchewan. He was an elementary teacher, university instructor, and literacy coordinator before retiring. In retirement, he is extremely busy doing contract work for various educational publishers, and volunteering at Gabriel Dumont Métis Local 11, Li Toneur Niimiyitoohk Métis Dance, the Open Door Society, and various other organizations. Wilfred is the author of several Métis-specific children’s picture books, including the Fiddle Dancer series, which he co-authored with Anne Patton. He wrote Roogaroo Mickey, Road Allowance Kitten, The Big Tease, Road Allowance Kitten: Broken Promises, and a set of emergent readers called the Taanishi Books, co-authored with Angela Caron. He also co-authored Master of the Métis Fiddle with Cheryl Troupe; John Arcand: The Man, The Music, The Festival with Cheryl Troupe, and John and Vicki Arcand; as well as Let Me See Your Fancy Steps with Sylvie Roy and Jeanne Pelletier. His identity and love of Métis storytelling, fiddle music, and dance was a gift from his mother, Georgina Nolin. Currently you might find Wilfred beading, working in the garden, practising the fiddle, or playing with his two feline friends, Leo and Baptiste (Ba-chees).

Wilfred Burton's profile page

Anne Patton’s books for children include Fiddle Dancer and Dancing in My Bones – books that explore Metis culture through the world of dance – and the Tyler collection for Scholastic Education.

Fiddle Dancer was nominated for a Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award, while Dancing in My Bones was the recipient of the 2010 Moonbeam Spirit Award. Full Steam to Canada, the first book in the Barr Colony series, was the winner of the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild John V Hicks Unpublished Long Manuscript Award. The second book, Through Flood and Fire, was a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award Silver Medalist.

Born in Ontario, Anne taught elementary school in Regina for many years, before retirement launched her into a career as a prolific children’s author. She now makes her home in Victoria, British Columbia.

Anne Patton's profile page

Sherry Farrell Racette is an artist and educator. She has been painting, drawing and making things since she was little. Sherry received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Certificate in Secondary Education from the University of Maitoba and later, a Masters in Education from the University of Regina.A member of the Timiskaming Band of Algonquins in Quebec, Sherry was born in Manitoba and has been involved in Indian and Metis education for many years. She is currently an assistant professor with the Faculty of Education, University of Regina.Sherry wrote and illustrated The Flower Beadwork People for the Gabriel Dumont Institute and recently illustrated Maria Campbell’s Stories of the Road Allowance People (Theytus Press).

Sherry Farrell Racette's profile page

Originally from St. Lazare, Manitoba, Norman Fleury is a gifted storyteller and teacher. Dedicated to the conservation and promotion of the Michif language, he has contributed to dozens of language resources. He currently teaches Michif in the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan.

Norman Fleury's profile page

Awards

  • Winner, Moonbeam Children's Book Awards - Gold Medal, Spirit Award - Native Folklore
  • Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards - Publishing in Education
  • Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards - Readers' Choice Award
  • Winner, Saskatchewan Book Awards - Award for Publishing
  • Winner, Saskatchewan Book Awards - First Peoples' Publishing Award
  • Winner, Saskatchewan Book Awards - First Peoples' Writing Award

Librarian Reviews

Dancing in My Bones

This book continues the story of Nolin, a Métis boy who is discovering his cultural heritage. From the killing of a moose to the dancing of the “bannock jig” it is a tender and jubilant story highlighting the importance of family and tradition. Throughout there is a quiet underpinning of hope, of something that is greater than ourselves giving the blessings of family, music, food and love. Includes a glossary of the Michif words used and recipe for tourtière.

Burton and Patton are both Aboriginal educators who had col laborated on the prequel Fiddle Dancer with much-published illustrator, author and educator Farrell Racette. Fleury is a Michif storyteller who also speaks Cree, Ojibwa, Dakota, French and English.

Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools. 2009-2010.

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