Fiddle Dancer

by Anne Patton, Wilfred Burton, Sherry Farrell Racette (Illustrator)

Fiddle Dancer tells the tale of a young Métis boy, Nolin, and his growing awareness of his Métis heritage and identity while his “Mooshoom” or grandfather, teaches him to dance. Authors Wilfred Burton and Anne Patton masterfully weave a childhood story rich in Métis culture and language. This delightful story captures the importance of Elders as role models, a child’s apprehension at learning new things, and the special bond between grandparents and children.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2007

About the author

Anne Patton’s books for children include Fiddle Dancer and Dancing in My Bones – books that explore Metis culture through the world of dance – and the Tyler collection for Scholastic Education.

Fiddle Dancer was nominated for a Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award, while Dancing in My Bones was the recipient of the 2010 Moonbeam Spirit Award. Full Steam to Canada is the winner of the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild John V Hicks Unpublished Long Manuscript Award.

Born in Ontario, Anne taught elementary school in Regina for many years, before retirement launched her into a career as a prolific children’s author.

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic Metis created story with Michif translation. The art wasn’t amazing nor was the story the best I’ve read but taken together I appreciated all of the indigenous collaborators and their concerted work. The publisher was The Gabriel Dumont Institute which also adds to its relevance as a Metis book.