Fatty Legs

by Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton, Christy Jordan-Fenton, Liz Amini-Holmes (Illustrator)

The beloved story of an Inuvialuit girl standing up to the bullies of residential school, updated for a new generation of readers.



Margaret Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton’s powerful story of residential school in the far North has been reissued to commemorate the memoir’s 10th anniversary with updates to the text, reflections on the book’s impact, and a bonus chapter from the acclaimed follow-up, A Stranger at Home. New content includes a foreword from Dr. Debbie Reese, noted Indigenous scholar and founder of American Indians in Children’s Literature, while Christy Jordan-Fenton, mother of Margaret’s grandchildren and a key player in helping Margaret share her stories, discusses the impact of the book in a new preface.

With important updates since it first hit the shelves a decade ago, this new edition of Fatty Legs will continue to resonate with readers young and old.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2020

Reviews

[aniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don’t know why i procrastinated actually reading this for so long it took like half an hour. it’s also very good

[Daniel Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book, generally meant for older children, is a first-hand account of an indigenous girl attending a white boarding school and the challenges she faces there. Considering its intended audience, I think it is a great introduction into the subject of how indigenous and First Nations people have been treated, not only in Canada where the book takes place, but many of the same themes of cultural erasure, forced assimilation, and the development of adolescent identity, are applicable to many regions of the world.

When they are old enough, I would definitely have my daughters read this, but I think they would also benefit from reading either together, or with regular discussion about some of the topics and metaphors used in the book. I feel they will get more out of it if they know the significance of the animals applied to certain people in the book, as well as context of why these children were being sent to boarding school and their parents' reluctance to let them go.

All in all, a good quick read for an adult, though if you have studied the topic at all, you won't get much more detail from this text. It is much better used as an introduction to the topics and themes I've mentioned.

[Donna Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, to the point, biography of an inuit girl's experience at a reservation school in the Arctic area, and what an eye opener. Along with her story are these little blurbs given in between chapters that define some of the words she uses to get across her story. I was thankful for that, for sure. At times, I found this a little confusing because of experience in where and when this was taking place, but like all history books, I glommed on to the story moreso because of the narrator --- in this case it was audial, so a double plus because the reader was so effective in her storytelling. I would recommend this book if you are interested in cultural diversity, and old enough to get past the unusual vocab thrown into the story once in a while --- if you are an accepting reader who is ready to learn about a different culture this is for you! The title has nothing to do with weight, but everything to do with bullying a little girl who doesn't look like the others.....

[Ramona Jennex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the author's words about the writing process to bring this story to print. The text was written by Christy Jordan-Fenton to bring her mother-in-laws voice and story to print. I also appreciated how it was updated for the 10th anniversary edition- making sure language aligned with more appropriate terms and words in 2010 and the importance of being respectful of all residential survivors's stories.
This first person account of residential school experience is written for children and adults alike. It has the beautiful art of Liz Amini-Holmes and Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton's photos.
This book is important.
This book is hard on the heart.
This book is beautiful.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to my resources about Residential Schools in Canada. This book is appropriate for upper elementary. Olemaun has a burning desire to go to school and learn to read. Her discussion with her father in the first chapter about how a smooth rock is still a rock on the inside, even with the edges rounded off has given me a lot to think about. Her story shows how resilient and brave she really is!!

[Dbvdb · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are very familiar elements to this (short) story. But Olemaun wanted / begged to go to the Christian school so far from home because she wanted to learn to read. There is the expected harshness of the nuns but this story shows how she coped with it, and eventually stuck up for herself. To tell you the truth, if she was a different school as we now know, her behavior may have had grave consequences. It turned out ok for her and she became the author.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approachable and informative, with a good balance of information for the youthful intended audience. Even as someone who has read other accounts involving the schools, though not as many as I should, I even learned more regarding the functionality and processes adopted by them as an adult. Wonderful contribution to the children's book world to gently ease kids into both history, non-fiction, and the stories of other children.

[Evan Grice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super easy read and super good. This should be the type of book that is mandatory in schools… teaches you what residential schools were truly like without going into too much detail about the horrors.

That said, I would have loved more detail as to the inner workings of the residential school from her experience. That’s the only difference between 4 and 5 stars. Insightful, true to life story that was short and such an engaging read. Definitely recommend.

[Rebecca Scobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book assigned in our Girlhood English class. Overall I enjoyed it. Especially its fast pace and short length! I thought it used simple terms to break down this girls story. I thought it was interesting to see how persistent she was to actually go to school. I also thought her referring to the nuns as a the swan and the raven was interesting! I’m excited to talk about this book in class and learn more!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book, and a good introduction for children about the residential school program in Canada, written by the survivor of one such school. We definitely need more indigenous voices in literature for all ages. That said, this book was fairly short and moved quickly -- I would have liked more details, but maybe I'm misjudging and that would be too much for middle grade readers.

[Nathalie Fannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a little hard for me to review as I am not the audience that this book was written for. On the whole it was OK. It is important to hear first hand accounts and it is great that books are written to help children understand, but I feel like there was not much "filling" to the book. I didn't feel that there was much of a story, but again I am not the target audience.

[Kate Belt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t find the audio version of this book, which is the one I read, but also checked out the Kindle version. Would recommend combining audio with print copy in paper or on a tablet because you don’t want to miss the photographs and illustrations!

[Maria Schoville · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked this book I didn’t realize it was juvenile section because I only read one line of the subject. It was interesting I’d like to read more grown-up book about residential schools and the injustices that happened to the indigenous people. More stories should be heard.

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great audiobook. A different view into even more of the horrors of residential schools. of course made me cry,

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly is a “celebrated story of an Inuvialuk girls resistance and strength at residential school” - quick read meant for younger children but a very good book for everyone!

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much appreciate the introduction which gives perspective, suggestions for further reading, and guidelines for asking about similar histories.

[Mari Randall]

Recommend. Children’s chapter book about Iedingeounous people’s schooling in the far North. Fast and easy educational read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to this terrible history for children. While it glosses over some of the worst parts of what happened, it is a starting place for young readers to start to understand.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥲💔🧡

[Kathy O’Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting retelling of one Native girl’s experience under cultural cleansing in the upper Canadian provinces.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recounting of a young Inuvialuit girl who was ripped from her home and sent to residential school. Heartbreaking.

[DC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seminal, important, and also approachable even for elementary children. We should spend more time contending with the history of residential schools that aimed to eradicate Indigenous knowledge, cultures, and languages.

[Corby H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and hope inspiring, with a dash of humor.

[Gayle Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written account of coming of age in a residential school. An important piece of literature to understand the legacy of colonial Canadian policies.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second read, The story is just as informative, just as moving, and just as important.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so important. And I’m grateful for the courage it took to share it.

This book is a great starting point for all ages - although it is meant for a younger audience - and makes a good conversation starter around what the residential school victims faced, some of the propaganda that was employed, and the heartbreak of generational trauma. My heart ached through this book but, like I said, it’s so important we start to educate ourselves around what happened and be agents for change, truth, and reconciliation.

[Malinda Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a class that I am currently taking. It was a really good book. It made me feel bad for the children towards the end of the story because of all of they lost.

[Vanessa Devotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her incredible naive and wholesome hopes for school at the beginning fill me with dread for this sweet girl as I’m familiar with the reality of what happened at these schools.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an impactful story. It's a heavy subject to consider, but the authors did a great job of making it accessible and understandable for kids. I would recommend it for 10+ because it deals with residential schools, bullying, and separation of children from their families.

[Tara Mickela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still think about this book all the time.