“My grade four/five class recently had the great privilege of being the very first in all of Canada to read and study Jeff Pinkney’s book, “Soapstone Signs”. This is a beautifully written story about imagination and creativity, and about using one’s senses to explore and draw inspiration from the natural world. I’ve always encouraged my students to be open to the world around them; just as the young boy is urged to do by his friend Lindy, the Cree soapstone carver. The children loved the book and were delighted to have the opportunity to discuss it with Jeff once they’d finished reading and writing about it. They enjoyed the evocative descriptions of the wild creatures and landscape, the funny moments (“Kentucky Fried Chicken”), the beautiful, thought-provoking illustrations, and the ideas about imagination, inspiration and determination. This book is a wonderful "read-aloud”. It fits beautifully into the language curriculum as a novel study, and as an introduction to Social Studies units (First Nations, the north), to Science (Habitats, Animals), to Art (soapstone carving, creativity), etc. My school now has a class set, and many of my students have purchased their own copies. It is a wonderful book!”
Nicola Jennings, Teacher, Gr 4/5 at King George Public School, Peterborough
