On the Trapline

Illustrated by Julie Flett
Look inside
Hardcover
$18.99 US
8.37"W x 9.35"H x 0.37"D  
On sale May 04, 2021 | 48 Pages | 9780735266681
Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile 560L
A picture book celebrating Indigenous culture and traditions. The Governor General Award--winning team behind When We Were Alone shares a story that honors our connections to our past and our grandfathers and fathers.

WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARD

A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, "Is this your trapline?" Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago -- a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a heartfelt story about memory, imagination and intergenerational connection that perfectly captures the experience of a young child's wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family.
© Amber Green
DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the author of numerous books for young readers including the two Governor General Literary Award—winning picture books On the Trapline and When We Were Alone, both illustrated by Julie Flett. He also wrote The Song That Called Them Home, a picture book illustrated by Maya McKibbin. His middle-grade fantasy series, The Misewa Saga, have received great acclaim and award attention. A sought-after speaker and educator, David is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information, visit his website, www.darobertson.ca, and follow him on Twitter @DaveAlexRoberts. View titles by David A. Robertson
  • WINNER | 2022
    TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
  • WINNER | 2021
    Governor General's Literary Awards - Children's Literature - Illustration
  • AWARD
    Chocolate Lily Award
  • NOMINEE | 2023
    Chocolate Lily Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2022
    Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards
  • SHORTLIST | 2022
    Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
  • LONGLIST | 2022
    First Nations Communities Read Award
  • FINALIST | 2022
    Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • NOMINEE | 2022
    Shining Willow Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2021
    OLA Best Bets for Picture Books
WINNER of the 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People’s Literature — Illustrated Books!
WINNER of the 2022 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award!

Named one of School Library Journal's Caldenott Books (2021)
A CCBC Best Book for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021 — Starred Pick
A Horn Book 2021 Best Kids Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids (2021)
A Canadian Children's Book Centre Favourite Book of the Year (2021)
A Quill & Quire Kids' Book of the Year (2021)
An American Indians in Children’s Literature Best Book of 2021
An Evanston Public Library Blueberry List pick
An Ontario Library Association Top Ten Best Picture Book selection


“An outstanding contribution to the literature about family, intergenerational friendship, remembrance, community, Indigenous experience, and more.”  —STARRED REVIEW, The Horn Book

“Robertson’s text is as spare as Flett’s artwork, leaving plenty of space for readers to feel the emotions evoked by both.” —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

“A deeply affecting journey of memory and history.” —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

“This second collaboration between the Governor-General’s Award-winning writer-illustrator team — who share common Cree ancestry — focuses on the connection between a boy and his moshom (grandpa) as they travel by plane, foot and boat to the northern wilderness, where a young moshom once lived off the land with his family.” Globe and Mail

"There are many lessons to be learned in this gentle story about intergenerational respect and relationships, both with people and the land." Canadian Children’s Book Centre

“[A] powerful story well told in an understated manner.” CM: Canadian Review of Materials

On the Trapline is a stunning picture book that highlights Indigenous values, including the deep connections to family and the land.” —Mutually Inclusive

About

A picture book celebrating Indigenous culture and traditions. The Governor General Award--winning team behind When We Were Alone shares a story that honors our connections to our past and our grandfathers and fathers.

WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARD

A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, "Is this your trapline?" Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago -- a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a heartfelt story about memory, imagination and intergenerational connection that perfectly captures the experience of a young child's wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family.

Author

© Amber Green
DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the author of numerous books for young readers including the two Governor General Literary Award—winning picture books On the Trapline and When We Were Alone, both illustrated by Julie Flett. He also wrote The Song That Called Them Home, a picture book illustrated by Maya McKibbin. His middle-grade fantasy series, The Misewa Saga, have received great acclaim and award attention. A sought-after speaker and educator, David is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information, visit his website, www.darobertson.ca, and follow him on Twitter @DaveAlexRoberts. View titles by David A. Robertson

Awards

  • WINNER | 2022
    TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
  • WINNER | 2021
    Governor General's Literary Awards - Children's Literature - Illustration
  • AWARD
    Chocolate Lily Award
  • NOMINEE | 2023
    Chocolate Lily Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2022
    Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards
  • SHORTLIST | 2022
    Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
  • LONGLIST | 2022
    First Nations Communities Read Award
  • FINALIST | 2022
    Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • NOMINEE | 2022
    Shining Willow Award
  • SHORTLIST | 2021
    OLA Best Bets for Picture Books

Praise

WINNER of the 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People’s Literature — Illustrated Books!
WINNER of the 2022 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award!

Named one of School Library Journal's Caldenott Books (2021)
A CCBC Best Book for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021 — Starred Pick
A Horn Book 2021 Best Kids Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids (2021)
A Canadian Children's Book Centre Favourite Book of the Year (2021)
A Quill & Quire Kids' Book of the Year (2021)
An American Indians in Children’s Literature Best Book of 2021
An Evanston Public Library Blueberry List pick
An Ontario Library Association Top Ten Best Picture Book selection


“An outstanding contribution to the literature about family, intergenerational friendship, remembrance, community, Indigenous experience, and more.”  —STARRED REVIEW, The Horn Book

“Robertson’s text is as spare as Flett’s artwork, leaving plenty of space for readers to feel the emotions evoked by both.” —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

“A deeply affecting journey of memory and history.” —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

“This second collaboration between the Governor-General’s Award-winning writer-illustrator team — who share common Cree ancestry — focuses on the connection between a boy and his moshom (grandpa) as they travel by plane, foot and boat to the northern wilderness, where a young moshom once lived off the land with his family.” Globe and Mail

"There are many lessons to be learned in this gentle story about intergenerational respect and relationships, both with people and the land." Canadian Children’s Book Centre

“[A] powerful story well told in an understated manner.” CM: Canadian Review of Materials

On the Trapline is a stunning picture book that highlights Indigenous values, including the deep connections to family and the land.” —Mutually Inclusive

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