Little Shoes
Little Shoes by David A. Robertson is a picture book published by Random House on July 29, 2025, featuring 48 pages in English. This beautifully told story follows a boy named James as he navigates big questions about life and family, particularly in the context of overcoming generational trauma related to residential schools. Through his nighttime reflections and conversations with his mother and kōkom, James learns about the significance of a memorial honoring Indigenous children who did not return home from these institutions.
Readers will find a comforting narrative that explores themes of family life and difficult discussions, as James engages with his kōkom’s past and the impact of historical injustices. The story emphasizes the importance of connection and understanding within families, particularly during challenging times. The edition also includes an author note that discusses the inspiration behind the book, providing additional context for readers interested in the themes of geography and cultures.
Official synopsis Publisher
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.
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