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A review by libraryvee
Fatty Legs: A True Story by Christy Jordan-Fenton
4.0
I loved this simple but powerful introduction look into surviving residential school. As much as we learn about things, there is nothing like a first-person account of an event to really take us to a place and time. Margaret Pokiak-Fenton was an eight year-old Inuit girl when she went to “the Outsiders’ school.” Fatty Legs is her story of what the next two years were like; the stripping of her identity and culture. It’s a short book – and filled with illustrations and pictures of Margaret and her life. It packs a powerful punch, though.
The story is told through Margaret’s eyes as a child, so although the tone is easy, it resonates all the more. I loved the colourful imagery that pays homage to Margaret’s feisty spirit and strong imagination (“The Raven” is her name for a particularly terrible nun.) Indigenous Peoples are known for their storytelling abilities, and it’s clear that Margaret shares this talent, throughout the book.
Despite the grim legacy of residential schools, Fatty Legs remains a tale of hope. There is even a nice connection made with a kinder nun. Margaret was lucky – she survived with her spirit intact. So many did not, and are still suffering the consequences.
I really think Fatty Legs is an excellent introduction – for all ages – to people who want to learn more about the residential school survivors’ stories. The pictures are also a bonus - a primary source multi-layered book!
Edit: I read this with my ESL book club members at the library. They all really liked the story - and it was a good introduction to Canada's shameful residential school history for them. However, I had to really stress that Margaret's story is a happier one; too many children were horribly traumatized and abused. So while this one is a good read, it doesn't get into the gritty realities.
The story is told through Margaret’s eyes as a child, so although the tone is easy, it resonates all the more. I loved the colourful imagery that pays homage to Margaret’s feisty spirit and strong imagination (“The Raven” is her name for a particularly terrible nun.) Indigenous Peoples are known for their storytelling abilities, and it’s clear that Margaret shares this talent, throughout the book.
Despite the grim legacy of residential schools, Fatty Legs remains a tale of hope. There is even a nice connection made with a kinder nun. Margaret was lucky – she survived with her spirit intact. So many did not, and are still suffering the consequences.
I really think Fatty Legs is an excellent introduction – for all ages – to people who want to learn more about the residential school survivors’ stories. The pictures are also a bonus - a primary source multi-layered book!
Edit: I read this with my ESL book club members at the library. They all really liked the story - and it was a good introduction to Canada's shameful residential school history for them. However, I had to really stress that Margaret's story is a happier one; too many children were horribly traumatized and abused. So while this one is a good read, it doesn't get into the gritty realities.