Children's Fiction Self-esteem & Self-reliance
Mai and the Strangers
- Publisher
- Orca Book Publishers
- Initial publish date
- Apr 2025
- Category
- Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, Native Canadian, Multigenerational, Special Needs
- Recommended Age
- 6 to 8
- Recommended Grade
- 1 to 3
- Recommended Reading age
- 6 to 8
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781459836570
- Publish Date
- Apr 2025
- List Price
- $21.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781459836594
- Publish Date
- Apr 2025
- List Price
- $16.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
An Indigenous girl who has a physical disability explores her identity and learns how to relate to others in this vibrant historical-fiction picture book celebrating Dakelh culture and language.
When news arrives that traders are coming to Nak'azdli, Mai is understandably excited. She has always wanted to meet new people and see new things, but living in a remote village in the mountains, she never thought it would happen. Although her People, Nak'azdli Whut'en, travel far and wide to trade with others, Mai has a disability that causes her legs to take steps that are either too big or too small, and she has always stayed close to home. Her curiosity about the strangers soon turns to self-doubt, however, when she begins to contemplate their differences and her own. Just how strange will they be? And what will they think of her?
Mai and the Strangers is a vibrant story about finding your identity and learning how to relate to others, with a thoughtful reflection on the experience of disability and a celebratory sharing of Dakelh culture and language.
About the authors
Leon Erickson, son of Art and Bertha (inle), is of the Lhoh Ja Bou (Bear) clan of Nak’azdli Whut’en in Fort St. James, British Columbia. He grew up as one of eleven kids and is now a father to six and a husband to a loving wife, Diana. He is a graduate of the University of Northern British Columbia, where he was awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Silver Medal, and has a master's degree in educational leadership from Vancouver Island University. Leon enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping and supporting family and friends with plants and meats from his keyoh.
Michelle Simpson grew up in the woods of Niagara Falls, Ontario and still resides there today. She is a full-time freelance illustrator, focusing mainly on children's publications, and holds a BAA in illustration from Sheridan College. Michelle has worked as a concept artist at KeyFrame Animation for kids cartoons such as Ollie: The Boy Who Became What He Ate (Season 2) and Tee and Mo (Season 1). She is the author of Night Festival: A Silent Picture Book and Monsters In My House which was short-listed for the Canadian Self Publishing awards in 2014. Michelle has also illustrated Hanukkah Harvie vs. Santa Claus by David Michael Slater and Back Home by Shaista Kaba Fatehali. Michelle draws her inspiration for her artwork from nature, animals and folklore.
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