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The Red Sash
A young Native American boy is at the heart of this charming adventure that takes place nearly 200 years ago. The story centers around the busy fur trading post of Fort William on Lake Superior. In the winter, the boy's father guides voyagers into the northwest to trade furs. Those same voyagers paddle back to Fort William with their packs of furs, while another group comes in from Montreal bringing supplies. It’s a time of feasting, dancing, and trading stories around the campfire.
Pendziwol’s engaging text combines with Debon’s vivid and historically accurate illustrations to give an authentic picture of life at a fur trading post in the early 1800s.
Pendziwol’s engaging text combines with Debon’s vivid and historically accurate illustrations to give an authentic picture of life at a fur trading post in the early 1800s.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 2005
1 person is currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Jean E. Pendziwol
17 books297 followersJean E. Pendziwol is an award winning Canadian author of books for adults and children. Her children’s books include Governor General Literary Award and TD Canadian Children's Literature Award winner Skating Wild on an Inland Sea (Groundwood Books, ill. Todd Stewart), and the bestselling No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons) (Kids Can Press), which continues to be used as a valuable resource for teaching fire safety. Her debut adult novel, The Lightkeeper’s Daughters was published by HarperCollins and is available in 20 other countries and 16 languages around the world. She lives in the shadow of the Nor’Wester Mountains near Lake Superior and draws inspiration for her stories from the rich history, culture and geography of northwestern Ontario, Canada.
Jean's adult work is represented by Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency and her children's work by Olga Filina of 5 Otter Literary.
Jean's adult work is represented by Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency and her children's work by Olga Filina of 5 Otter Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 12, 2024
This is a wonderful story based on the northern Canadian fur trade and the voyageurs who wore the red sash. They played an important part in Canadian history. In this story a young boy does a brave thing as he waits to become a voyageur.
Fabulous illustrations. Very interesting historical information on the jacket and in the back of the book.
Fabulous illustrations. Very interesting historical information on the jacket and in the back of the book.
May 10, 2024
4 stars. A lovely portrayal of life in a trading fort on the Big Lakes, spotlighting voyageurs and their Métis families. The paintings compliment the delightful text perfectly and the main characters are vague enough to identify with. Excellent!
December 7, 2017
Not a part of my GoodReads entry but like the connection this book has to MN!
January 7, 2022
We're gonna go with a low 3 on this one. I didn't love the narration but it was apparently done by a kid so.. ?
February 24, 2023
I have read the French version aloud (La ceinture métisse) during our Festival du voyageur week at our school - 10 times! :)
October 18, 2025
4.23 star rating
January 27, 2014
Here is an excerpt from my review on the Mother Daughter Book Reviews website. Visit us for the full review and to hear what my kids learned from this book.
The Red Sash is an excellent picture book depicting the history of the fur trade in Canada and introducing children to the importance of the relationships among the First Nations and Métis people of Canada, the French Canadian voyageurs, and the British-based North West Trading Company. While these relationships were at often times tenuous, this story focuses on the cultural pride of the Métis people who played a key role in the fur trade of the 1800′s. I highly recommend this book as an excellent resource in elementary schools across Canada as a way to educate children about the fur trade industry and the important role of the voyageurs in Canadian history. Ages 5+
* This book was provided to me by the publisher free-of-charge as part of the Multicultural Children’s Book Day in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. *
The Red Sash is an excellent picture book depicting the history of the fur trade in Canada and introducing children to the importance of the relationships among the First Nations and Métis people of Canada, the French Canadian voyageurs, and the British-based North West Trading Company. While these relationships were at often times tenuous, this story focuses on the cultural pride of the Métis people who played a key role in the fur trade of the 1800′s. I highly recommend this book as an excellent resource in elementary schools across Canada as a way to educate children about the fur trade industry and the important role of the voyageurs in Canadian history. Ages 5+
* This book was provided to me by the publisher free-of-charge as part of the Multicultural Children’s Book Day in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. *
November 21, 2010
A well-researched, well-told story of Métis life in the early 19th C.
For a more accurate description of the book than the one above, go to the publisher's site:
http://www.groundwoodbooks.com/gw_tit...
Definitely recommended.
For a more accurate description of the book than the one above, go to the publisher's site:
http://www.groundwoodbooks.com/gw_tit...
Definitely recommended.
March 25, 2014
Fantastic story of a boy coming of age in North Western Ontario. Very colourful and rich.
April 16, 2016
North West Company and Voyageurs - c. 1803 - 1821
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews