Margaret Manuel

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Margaret Manuel is a Salish writer of children's literature.

Manuel, who was born in Kamloops and raised in Merritt, British Columbia, is descended from Syilx and Secwépemc ancestors. [1] She learned the Syilx Okanagan language at home, but is not fluent. [1] Manuel is a graduate of the National Aboriginal Professional Artist Training Program at the En'owkin Centre in Penticton. [2]

Her first book, I See Me, is a board book aimed at children up to age three. [3] The book features photographs of Manuel's son, Qwyula?xw, engaged in different activities, often with traditional indigenous toys or instruments. [2] [3] Each photograph is captioned with an English phrase of the form "I see me ...", followed by a blank line where parents are encouraged to translate the illustrated activity into their own language. [3] [4] The book was published by Theytus Books in 2010 and was shortlisted for a 2010 New York Book Festival award and a 2012 American Indian Youth Literature Award. [2] [5] [6] It was a bestseller in Canada. [7]

In 2016, she published a sequel, I am Proud of Me, which again features photographs of her son with captions in English and Okanagan. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Authors: Margaret Manuel". Strong Nations. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Children's author reads at En'owkin Centre". Penticton West. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Jenkinson, Dave (2 September 2011). "I See Me". Canadian Review of Materials. XVIII (1).
  4. "Native American Heritage Month: Children's Books for Your Black Friday Shopping List". Indian Country Today. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  5. "2010 New York Book Festival Winners List" (Press release). New York Book Festival. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  6. Webb-Campbell, Shannon (19 March 2012). "Three Canadian authors honoured by American Indian Youth Literature Awards". Quillblog. Quill & Quire. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  7. Webb-Campbell, Shannon (12 March 2012). "BookNet bestsellers: Canadian children's books". Quillblog. Quill & Quire. Retrieved 19 February 2022.