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Phyllis's Orange Shirt
When Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) turned six, she went to residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away from her and never returned. This is the true story of Phyllis and her orange shirt. It is also the story of Orange Shirt Day (an important day of remembrance for Indigenous people and all Canadians).
30 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2019
About the author
Phyllis Webstad
16 books16 followersPhyllis Jack Webstad is a Northern Secwepemc author from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, and the creator of Orange Shirt Day, a day of remembrance marked in Canada later instated as the public holiday of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. She is a First Nations residential school survivor.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 17, 2021
Hmm I thought it would include more.
I realize it was adapted for younger children and I feel like much of that aspect was done well. But I thought it would keep me (as an adult and maybe some kids as well) wanting to learn more. However, I feel more like reading the non-adaptation version for consistency checking.
I hope it’s a better stepping stone book than it feels.
I’m so so sorry for all the children forced into residential schools. I’m so sad that so many didn’t get to go home.
I realize it was adapted for younger children and I feel like much of that aspect was done well. But I thought it would keep me (as an adult and maybe some kids as well) wanting to learn more. However, I feel more like reading the non-adaptation version for consistency checking.
I hope it’s a better stepping stone book than it feels.
I’m so so sorry for all the children forced into residential schools. I’m so sad that so many didn’t get to go home.
September 14, 2023
This book was adapted for a younger audience. I read the other book to my 3 year old and it was too difficult for her to understand. With this one, I was able to introduce a little bit of the story to her in a way she could start to comprehend. She sees the orange shirts in the store and has asked, so this book has been a good starting point for her. The illustrations are nice and the rhymes make it easier for my daughter to sit through. I see a lot of people complaining that this version is too “dumbed down” for younger kids and what’s the point? But reading with my daughter and having her ask questions and point things out… that’s why it’s important to share a book like this with her and others her age.
October 4, 2021
We received this book for our preschool. While it was, of course, softened for the benefit of little hearts/minds, I do not feel like it hit its mark. Yes, the good intention is there, but it in no way shows the negative side of the schools. And yes, kids can handle the (maybe not full-blown at these ages) truth. As a mother to a 5 year old, there could have been a lot more "realness" to the story to actually show WHY we wear orange. The story mentioned such a nice teacher and *spoiler* ends with her going back home where she "thrives". Yes, the book is intended for young audiences, but unfortunately I was left really disappointed.
May 19, 2022
I think this is a good introductory book for small children to start learning about Canadian history with regards to our First Nations siblings and the residential school system. Because it is targeted for preschoolers/early scholars (4-6), it was quite simplified, and as an adult, I understand that Phyllis's story has far more to it than is given here, but this is definitely a good first step, especially in explaining why Orange Shirt Day (30 September) is so important for us all to observe, and remember that Every Child Matters.
February 24, 2020
A very accessible story about residential schools/Orange shirt day intended for a pre-K/K audience. This nicely fills a niche in an area of literature where most material is written for older kids, and is too graphic and disturbing for the younger learners.
October 27, 2021
This is the shortened and rhyming version of the author's book for older readers. For ages 4-6, this story briefly introduces children to First Nation children being taught in residential school. Beautifully illustrated.
September 10, 2023
So I read this in an IKEA, because they had an Indigenous room set up with items from an Indigenous family. I'm not Indigenous, but my boyfriend is (we're Canadian) and we had the same thoughts on this - it's not good. It does nothing to touch upon the horrors of residential schools. I learned about them in high school, and of course there's been a lot of talk about them in recent years.
I haven't read the original book that this was adapted from, but I feel like this isn't a story or concept even able to be "dumbed down" to a kids' level. This book starts off with Phyllis being at home with her grandmother with no friends as they're all at a residential school. She is sent - sent, not taken to one - an important distinction - and there is a page about not liking it/being cold/unfriendly. The next page speaks about how the teacher is nice and she learns English or writing or something and then the next page is Phyllis going home for the summer and it's over, written in a rhyming scheme. It completely glosses over the horrors of residential schools and makes it seem like a boarding school or a normal experience every child can have.
At that point... why even write the book? What has this introduced kids to? It hasn't even told them that the people who ran these schools were bad or that kids had horrible experiences there. And if that can't be portrayed accurately, why are we introducing it to kids at this young of a reading age? Parents are probably reading it to their kids, and I can't see how you could even use the book as a conversation opener because it doesn't leave anything open to discuss or ask questions about.
Like I said I'm not Indigenous, but I can't see how this book does any good for the community or as a teaching tool. I think this is one of those topics that is best left until kids are a little bit older.
I haven't read the original book that this was adapted from, but I feel like this isn't a story or concept even able to be "dumbed down" to a kids' level. This book starts off with Phyllis being at home with her grandmother with no friends as they're all at a residential school. She is sent - sent, not taken to one - an important distinction - and there is a page about not liking it/being cold/unfriendly. The next page speaks about how the teacher is nice and she learns English or writing or something and then the next page is Phyllis going home for the summer and it's over, written in a rhyming scheme. It completely glosses over the horrors of residential schools and makes it seem like a boarding school or a normal experience every child can have.
At that point... why even write the book? What has this introduced kids to? It hasn't even told them that the people who ran these schools were bad or that kids had horrible experiences there. And if that can't be portrayed accurately, why are we introducing it to kids at this young of a reading age? Parents are probably reading it to their kids, and I can't see how you could even use the book as a conversation opener because it doesn't leave anything open to discuss or ask questions about.
Like I said I'm not Indigenous, but I can't see how this book does any good for the community or as a teaching tool. I think this is one of those topics that is best left until kids are a little bit older.
October 22, 2023
I read this with 3&4 year olds. I really appreciated having an adapted version of this story that was appropriate for their age and attention span. I know there is much more to the story than this adapted version tells, but I also understand that this is meant as an introduction and that students will learn and be taught more as they become older. Some of our discussion included what we get to do at the end of the school day (go home, hug mom, have a yummy snack, etc.) and a brief talk about how children who went to residential school didn’t get to do those things, how do you think that would feel, etc.
November 19, 2021
Phyllis's Orange Shirt is a really basic introduction to Webstad's experiences in the residential school system. The rhyming pattern is welcoming and the art is lovely and suits the story. While I realise that this is meant to be the version for younger readers (ages 4 to 6), I did end up feeling like it was almost too sanitized for the story it was telling.
I would recommend it in combination with other resources about the residential school system. I haven't had the chance to read The Orange Shirt Story, but I hope that I do soon.
I would recommend it in combination with other resources about the residential school system. I haven't had the chance to read The Orange Shirt Story, but I hope that I do soon.
September 27, 2021
This book is great for younger children. It talks about residential schools without making it too scary.
January 12, 2022
For very young readers. Or older ones with lots of inferencing done. The images add much more to the story than when you just focus on the words.
June 23, 2022
beautiful illustration pero un poco instruccional.
January 1, 2023
KSKS
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2023
I love the context that was provided sharing that it was a book for young readers it was definitely well done and got at the sentiment of what's happening with our missing native children
December 3, 2023
A really important read. My kid had a lot of good questions after reading it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews