Everyone should know about Canada's dark history even kids make sure your kids read if you are part of Canada or live in Canada. (I am not being mean or harsh)

Residential school explained to young children.

There is nothing more natural than a child asking questions that begin with the word "why." In this book, a Native girl asks "why" questions that lead her grandmother to explain about boarding schools and cultural assimilation policies of the past. The grandma explains things in an age-appropriate way. She emphasizes pride, survival, and love, and she weaves some Cree vocabulary into her conversation. The pictures illustrate the story beautifully.

I feel that this book does a good job breaking open a difficult topic for readers of all ages. However, I think it will also leave readers with some unanswered questions. It would have been nice if the author or publisher had included a list of resources for further reading.

Six Stars! Amazing wonderful book! Both the author, David Alexander Robertson, and the illustrator, Julie Flett, have done a top notch job in creating this book. When We Were Alone appears to be a children's book but should be read by people of all ages! Love it! |It is a tale of the experience of a Cree elder in a residential school that never, ever mentions the words “residential school”. Although the elder describes many of her experiences to her young granddaughter there is no expression of bitterness or other negative emotions.
The illustrations are magnificent!
I recommend this book to everyone, it would be an especially great addition to an Aboriginal classroom or a Native Studies course. It opens the door to many discussions in a gentle, yet highly effective manner.
I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Lovely illustrations, conventional narrative.

Beautiful and important book about the treatment of Native Americans and the horror of residential schools, but so accessible for young children.

When We Were Alone offers younger children a beautiful and gentle way to learn about the Residential School experience and Reconciliation.

A young girl visits her grandmother and learns why she always wears colorful clothes, has long hair, speaks her native language and spends time with her family - because when grandmother was young and in a residential school, those things were forbidden. Julie Flett's beautiful illustrations perfectly capture the sorrow of the past as well as the joy and color in grandmother and grandaughter's interactions. David Robertson is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation, while Julie Flett is Cree Métis.

I had a friend and colleague recommend this book to me and I was not disappointed. It is a book that offers a beautiful discussion regarding residential schools and First Nations being forced into assimilation. There's a repeated pattern in this book and each time it stings a bit more as you read on. A very informative picture book that will allow for great discussions between parents and their children.

This is a beautiful, gentle, sad and yet hopeful book about a very difficult subject. It will make an excellent conversation starter for older kids who are either studying the era of residential schools for indigenous people or are just curious like the grandchild in the book. It's a time not that far in the past and one that isn't easy to talk about. Social injustice is never easy to talk about but "When We Were Alone" is the perfect way to introduce the topic with younger kids.