Fiddles and Spoons: Journey of an Acadian Mouse Hardcover – Picture Book, May 9, 2012

Not everyone is likely looking for a story of the expulsion of the Acadian people from Nova Scotia. But for those who are, this is really well told. The strength and family bonds of the Acadian people is the real story here. And other ethnicities who have a history of being forcibly evicted from their country of origin can relate to this story.

My sister bought this book for 13.99 for her grandchildren. We have the last name DuBois. This book was stamped discarded and had torn pages. i paid more than her for a discarded book. story was ok, but i feel i got jipped.

thanks

I bought this book as a supplement to the Canadian history that I am teaching my eight year old daughter in homeschool. It was perfect for her age and although I used it as a read-aloud, she could probably have read it herself. I didn't want to miss out on reading it with her though since it was such a great story. The mouse's experience parallels what is happening with the people in Acadia. It provides insight into the daily life of the Acadians before being forced to leave and their experiences traveling by boat to a new land. It well-written and beautifully illustrated. It captures attention from start to finish. I highly recommend it and wish there were more like it for other historical events.

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 to me.

Great for teaching about the Acadians!

I bought the kindle of version of this book to save a couple of bucks to read for homeschool. Come the time to read it, this picture book has no pictures. Very disappointed

I would suggest reading this book to a older child. Perhaps one that is 11 or 12 as it introduces more complex topics about poverty and beliefs. The overall book does a very good job of showing the Acadian culture and hardships.

So adorable