2023 FOLD Kids Challenge — August

Cory Crosby spent much of his time in prison wondering how to explain to his children why he wasn’t a part of their life. But lacking the right words, he took the tools he had on hand, pens and paper and a love for illustration and writing, and used those to express what he could not over a prison phone line or during infrequent visits. “When My Dad Comes Home,” is a children’s book that combines the writings of Crosby and illustrations of Candice Malveaux to put into simple language several instances where a father might be absent for an extended period and how they and the children value time together when reunited.

The beloved story of an Inuvialuit girl standing up to the injustices of residential school.

Margaret Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton’s powerful story of residential school in the far North has been reissued to commemorate the memoir’s 10th anniversary with updates to the text, reflections on the book’s impact, and a bonus chapter from the acclaimed follow-up, A Stranger at Home. New content includes a foreword from Dr. Debbie Reese, noted Indigenous scholar and founder of American Indians in Children’s Literature, while Christy Jordan-Fenton, mother of Margaret’s grandchildren and a key player in helping Margaret share her stories, discusses the impact of the book in a new preface.

With important updates since it first hit the shelves a decade ago, this audiobook edition of Fatty Legs will continue to resonate with readers young and old. 

New and updated content includes

• • a note on the right to silence. This piece asks readers to be mindful that not all survivors of residential school will wish to talk about their experiences, and that their silence should be respected.
  • audiobook features original song “Say Your Name” by acclaimed artist Keith Secola, a song inspired by Olemaun’s story. See the video at https://youtu.be/eReBSbN-4lE
  • a table of contents to ensure all the added materials are easy to find.
  • a foreword by noted Indigenous scholar Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo), founder of American Indians in Children’s Literature. The foreword discusses the biased portrayal of Indigenous people in children’s literature throughout history and the exclusion of Indigenous people from the ability to tell their own stories.
  • a preface by Christy Jordan-Fenton sharing the way she first heard Margaret-Olemaun’s story of going away to residential school. It also covers the impact of the book and how much has changed in the past ten years.
  • a note on language. This piece reviews the universal changes in language that have been made to the book since the original edition and also establishes the language choices made in the new material.
  • a note on the writing process. This piece by Christy explores how she works with Margaret-Olemaun to get Olemaun’s stories down on paper.
  • a revised and updated afterword by Christy Jordan-Fenton.

On the subway ride home, Reed just wants to watch videos of his soccer idol, but reality crashes in when police officers question him about a suspect who matches his description. With tact and poise, Reed defends himself, but ultimately knows there is no easy way out of this conflict.

At a café, a woman accuses Olive of stealing her phone and demands to see it. Startled and indignant, Olive watches as the crowd forms and does nothing to help, even as the woman attempts to weaponize the police against her.

This read will keep you on the edge of your seat as each teen asks themself: What should I do? What can I do? What’s going to get me home safe?