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Fiddles and Spoons: Journey of an Acadian Mouse
The Acadian spirit shines through when Cecile Souris and her mouse family find themselves deported from their beloved Grand Pré to a faraway land. Join them on an unforgettable journey in this heart-warming tale of courage, love and joy as the Acadians continue to celebrate life with “Fiddles and Spoons”.
154 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Lila Hope-Simpson
3 books3 followersThe author of Fiddles & Spoons: Journey of an Acadian Mouse (Nimbus Publishing, NS 2012), Lila was awarded the Marianna Dempster Award for Children’s Literature from the Canadian Author’s Association.
She received the Best Specialty Column Award by the Atlantic Newspaper Association for her Positive Parenting columns, which were compiled in a book, “The Clothesline Collection”.
Lila is the author of a novel, Stepping Out (Three Dogs Press, Nova Scotia 2013).
Her writing reflects her interest in diversity, destiny, heritage and exploration.
Originally from Montreal, Lila Hope-Simpson is a writer and Early Childhood Educator living in Nova Scotia, Canada. She was honoured to be the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and the Early Childhood Care & Education Service Award. Lila is also a member of The Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 19, 2021
So yes, relating the traumatic tale of the Acadian Expulsion through the filter of "the journey of an Acadian mouse" is indeed a gentle (and I guess also rather unthreatening) way for author Lila Hope-Simpson to introduce l'Acadie, the culture of the Acadians, their forced exile, their mandated journey from the Maritimes of Canada to Louisiana, to younger children, although emotionally and personally, I would have definitely appreciated a bit more historical details and also feel that at least some of the many horrors the Acadians endured and faced could and should have been shown a bit more throughly, and even in a picture book meant for younger children.
But the above having been said, I do well realise that I come to Fiddles and Spoons: Journey of an Acadian Mouse as an adult, and for the intended audience (for the so-called picture book crowd), additional details, especially information on the horrific conditions on many of the the transport ships, that families were often deliberately and cruelly separated, that the Acadians had their homes burned, their possession confiscated and were considered legitimate targets for officially sanctioned cruelty simply due to their faith and ethnicity, might be somewhat daunting to handle and even consider (however, I also tend to think and believe that it is actually often parents, that it is often caregiving adults who seem to believe that children need to be coddled and shielded, and that many children would likely rather not only be told the truth, but can actually handle the truth, even if horrible, even if painful).
Now the accompanying illustrations by Doretta Groenendyk are lively and expressive, demonstrating both joy and sadness, both joviality and despair (as well as a sense of culture, of music, of self reliance in the face of adversity). Although by themselves, I find them a bit garish and cartoon like (and a bit annoyingly dark even when portraying joyful feelings and scenes), they do work well with Lila Hope-Simpson's narrative, both complimenting the same, and even somewhat expanding on it at times.
And yes, the Brief History of the Acadians that follows the main narrative, while certainly much appreciated, is also and unfortunately (and in my humble opinion) a bit majorly lacking in information and detail (and not including a list of books for further reading, in other words, not having a bibliography, does somewhat if not even majorly reduce the teaching and learning value and potential of Fiddles and Spoons: Journey of an Acadian Mouse). Furthermore, I also do have to admit that I take a bit of personal umbrage at some of the specific wording used by Lila Hope-Simpson in her author’s note. For while CERTAIN Acadians definitely remained loyal to France during the so-called French and Indian Wars that led to their expulsion by the British, actually, MOST Acadians, just like their Mi'kmaq allies, seemingly simply wanted to be left alone, to be considered neutral in a mostly European conflict that according to their perspective did not have anything to do with them and their lives anymore (something the British did not believe, or rather, chose not to in any manner accept).
Furthermore and personally, I also strongly think it would have been both informative and actually in all ways appropriate for Lila Hope-Simpson to also have mentioned in her supplemental information on the Acadians that the expulsion order against the latter actually legally remained on the books until well into the late 20th century, as it was never officially rescinded. And thus, even while of course highly unlikely, visitors of Acadian background could with that expulsion order still languishing on the books legally and theoretically have been denied entry into especially Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the many Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers of Acadian descent could legally speaking also have been even in recent times expelled from their homes, their properties, their provinces of residence, of birth.
But the above having been said, I do well realise that I come to Fiddles and Spoons: Journey of an Acadian Mouse as an adult, and for the intended audience (for the so-called picture book crowd), additional details, especially information on the horrific conditions on many of the the transport ships, that families were often deliberately and cruelly separated, that the Acadians had their homes burned, their possession confiscated and were considered legitimate targets for officially sanctioned cruelty simply due to their faith and ethnicity, might be somewhat daunting to handle and even consider (however, I also tend to think and believe that it is actually often parents, that it is often caregiving adults who seem to believe that children need to be coddled and shielded, and that many children would likely rather not only be told the truth, but can actually handle the truth, even if horrible, even if painful).
Now the accompanying illustrations by Doretta Groenendyk are lively and expressive, demonstrating both joy and sadness, both joviality and despair (as well as a sense of culture, of music, of self reliance in the face of adversity). Although by themselves, I find them a bit garish and cartoon like (and a bit annoyingly dark even when portraying joyful feelings and scenes), they do work well with Lila Hope-Simpson's narrative, both complimenting the same, and even somewhat expanding on it at times.
And yes, the Brief History of the Acadians that follows the main narrative, while certainly much appreciated, is also and unfortunately (and in my humble opinion) a bit majorly lacking in information and detail (and not including a list of books for further reading, in other words, not having a bibliography, does somewhat if not even majorly reduce the teaching and learning value and potential of Fiddles and Spoons: Journey of an Acadian Mouse). Furthermore, I also do have to admit that I take a bit of personal umbrage at some of the specific wording used by Lila Hope-Simpson in her author’s note. For while CERTAIN Acadians definitely remained loyal to France during the so-called French and Indian Wars that led to their expulsion by the British, actually, MOST Acadians, just like their Mi'kmaq allies, seemingly simply wanted to be left alone, to be considered neutral in a mostly European conflict that according to their perspective did not have anything to do with them and their lives anymore (something the British did not believe, or rather, chose not to in any manner accept).
Furthermore and personally, I also strongly think it would have been both informative and actually in all ways appropriate for Lila Hope-Simpson to also have mentioned in her supplemental information on the Acadians that the expulsion order against the latter actually legally remained on the books until well into the late 20th century, as it was never officially rescinded. And thus, even while of course highly unlikely, visitors of Acadian background could with that expulsion order still languishing on the books legally and theoretically have been denied entry into especially Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the many Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers of Acadian descent could legally speaking also have been even in recent times expelled from their homes, their properties, their provinces of residence, of birth.
October 5, 2022
Look at this dedication – which seems very suited to the times we are living in – that she wrote in her book: "This book is dedicated to uprooted people from every place and time, whose spirits have proven that after adversity, life goes on. And sometimes, there is even dancing."
Fiddles & Spoons is an historical fiction, fanciful for the child reader. This story is about a mouse family, the expulsion of the Acadians, and the will to survive.
In the small Acadian village of Grand Pré in Nova Scotia, Canada, life was good. Families worked hard to keep their village functioning and to make a life they could be proud of. The men built sturdy dykes to hold back the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy, creating very fertile farmland along the coast – and those dykes are still there doing what they were intended to do.
Under the floorboards of the homestead of the hardworking Dubois family lived the Souris mouse family. They feasted on the crumbs that fell down through, particularly enjoying Saturday nights when everyone danced and played their fiddles and spoons.
One night in 1755 it all changed. Soldiers marched in and separated the men from the women and children. Mama Souris was determined to not leave the Dubois family, so she and her family scurried along near the feet of all the people being forced onto boats. It was a long rugged trip until they finally arrived in a new land and were reunited with their loved ones. From there they had to start over.
Lila Hope-Simpson told this story of an important historical event in a wonderful way, introducing children – and perhaps adult readers – to the Expulsion of the Acadians, which is a memorable part of local, and far-reaching, history. It is not heavy-handed so as to include lurid details of the atrocities committed against an honest, God-fearing people. On the other hand it is not overly gently told so that the drama cannot be felt and understood.
Doretta Groenendyk‘s illustrations are colourful, playful, effective. I especially like the scenes of Minas Basin and Cape Blomidon which are very familiar and local to me.
Fiddles & Spoons is an historical fiction, fanciful for the child reader. This story is about a mouse family, the expulsion of the Acadians, and the will to survive.
In the small Acadian village of Grand Pré in Nova Scotia, Canada, life was good. Families worked hard to keep their village functioning and to make a life they could be proud of. The men built sturdy dykes to hold back the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy, creating very fertile farmland along the coast – and those dykes are still there doing what they were intended to do.
Under the floorboards of the homestead of the hardworking Dubois family lived the Souris mouse family. They feasted on the crumbs that fell down through, particularly enjoying Saturday nights when everyone danced and played their fiddles and spoons.
One night in 1755 it all changed. Soldiers marched in and separated the men from the women and children. Mama Souris was determined to not leave the Dubois family, so she and her family scurried along near the feet of all the people being forced onto boats. It was a long rugged trip until they finally arrived in a new land and were reunited with their loved ones. From there they had to start over.
Lila Hope-Simpson told this story of an important historical event in a wonderful way, introducing children – and perhaps adult readers – to the Expulsion of the Acadians, which is a memorable part of local, and far-reaching, history. It is not heavy-handed so as to include lurid details of the atrocities committed against an honest, God-fearing people. On the other hand it is not overly gently told so that the drama cannot be felt and understood.
Doretta Groenendyk‘s illustrations are colourful, playful, effective. I especially like the scenes of Minas Basin and Cape Blomidon which are very familiar and local to me.
August 6, 2013
Lovely story that explains the dreadful Acadian deportation of the past to children while still recognizing the joys of their present day heritage. While this is considered Canadian history, it pertains to the U.S. too, since the Acadians are throughout the U.S. today as Cajuns in Louisiana, Franco-American in New England, etc.
December 30, 2018
This is a good book with an important, but dark, part of Canadian history. It is interesting to have read from the perspective of the mice. Strange, however, that Hope-Simpson chose to enforce gender-stereotype roles for the mice; e.g. papa mouse would not have been in the picture and mama would have provided for the family. Also, chickadees do not sing at night. OK, yes, as a naturalist it bothers me when people get these types of details wrong.
The illustrations are bright and lovely.
Overall, a good book.
The illustrations are bright and lovely.
Overall, a good book.
July 25, 2015
This is a great book for helping to introduce the story of the Acadian Deportation to children. It is told in a way that children can follow fairly well and it did have the impact of the emotions felt by this historic event on my five-year-old (who felt that the women and children being alone on a boat together and cold was very sad and scary).
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews