Little Shoes

From the bestselling and Governor General's Award-winning author of On the Trapline comes a beautifully told and comforting picture book about a boy's journey to overcome generational trauma of residential schools.

Deep in the night, when James should be sleeping, he tosses and turns. He thinks about big questions, like why we don't feel dizzy when the Earth spins. He looks at the stars outside his bedroom and thinks about the Night Sky Stories his kōkom has told him. He imagines being a moshom himself. On nights like these, he follows the moonlit path to his mother's bedroom. They talk and they cuddle, and they fall asleep just like that.

One day, James's kōkom takes him on a special walk with a big group of people. It's called a march, and it ends in front of a big pile of things: teddy bears, flowers, tobacco ties and little shoes. Kōkom tells him that this is a memorial in honor of Indigenous children who had gone to residential schools and boarding schools but didn't come home. He learns that his kōkom was taken away to one of these schools with her sister, who also didn't come home.

That night, James can't sleep so he follows the moonlit path to his mother. She explains to James that at residential school when Kōkom felt alone, she had her sister to cuddle, just like they do. And James falls asleep gathered in his mother's arms.

Includes an author note discussing the inspiration for the book.

Author: David A. Robertson
Publisher: Tundra Books (NY)
Published: 07/29/2025
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 12.10h x 8.40w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781774881729
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 05/12/2025
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2025

About the Author
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.

MAYA McKIBBIN is a Two-Spirited multidisciplinary animator and illustrator living on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations. They are Irish-settler, Ojibwe with roots in White Earth Nation and diaspora from Zacatecas in Mexico. They grew up in ch'atlich and later in the southwest of England. Maya illustrated the picture books Swift Fox All Along, written by Rebecca Thomas, which was nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award, and The Song That Called Them Home, written by David A. Robertson. Maya's work has also appeared in graphic novels and comics, including Image Comics' The Silver Coin #5, Salmon Run, Shades of Fear and Amanda Strong's adaptation of Four Faces of the Moon. Visit their website at www.mkchibs.com