A very touching intergenerational story from a Native voice, which, is timely and important to share with young readers. Readers will learn new words and see into this indigenous window.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This is a great family book about a young man who visits his grandfather's trapline, a place where native people live off the land.

The story in this beautiful picture book was inspired by Robertson's visit with his father to a trapline from his father's childhood. The soft illustrations have a natural feel, perfect to convey the feelings of warmth between father and son as they share memories, Swampy Cree culture, and love. This is a story for all ages--to admire or as a mentor for memoir writers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of On the Trapline by David Robertson. This is a gorgeous, artistic book. The illustrations are beautifully colored and uncomplicated, wonderfully reminiscent of the bold simplicity of nature. The text, with the inclusion of illuminating Cree words and back matter, is both effective and affecting. A semi-autobiographical book certain to be appreciated by both adults and children.

On the Trapline tells the story of a young boy who is traveling with his grandfather, Moshom, to visit his trapline. This is the first time that the boy has made the trip to his grandfather’s family lives long ago. His grandfather explains what a trapline is and the significance of people hunting game together while living off the land as a community. He also teaches his grandson some of his native Cree language and explained how he had to learn English in school. He further explains how he learned at the school and during his time livening and working on the trapline.
This was a journey for Moshom to visit his past while sharing his culture with his grandson. It is so important that people share their culture with others. I love that the author and illustrator are both directly descended from the Cree Nation, which means that we are getting to authentic hear stories of indigenous people. I also liked the illustrator’s note explaining how he got to experience being on a trapline with his father and how it helped him reconnect with his culture and heritage.

This is a very beautiful book about a grandfather sharing his cultural heritage with his grandchild. It is interfused with knowledge and language from the nation that his grandfather grew up in. I do not think it would hold the interest of my preschoolers, but would be more suited to an early elementary age group.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review

I found this to be a bit boring. Both with the art and the story. I don't think this is something that would hold a child's attention long enough to make it all the way through. I like that there were words in another language to be learned, but that's pretty much the only thing I liked

This is a really lovely book! This story of Mosha, (Grandpa,) and his grandson travelling back to where he grew up is a fresh and powerful take for a picture book to discuss reconciliation. The gentle pacing of the story is perfectly calm and slow, which makes the reader feel like they are walking next to Mosha on this journey. I love that the author goes even further with this book and plants Swampy Cree words throughout the story, (with the phonetic pronunciation listed at the end.) Well done!

4.2 Stars
On the Trapline is a beautiful story of a grandson knowing more about his grandfather’s childhood on the trapline. The story shows how the Cree tribe lived together on the shores, had to relocate, and got displaced over the years. The trip may be a small one, but it is filled with such poignant memories and details of the past. This is a beautiful and sweet story told in a simple manner. The illustrations set the tone of the book, and the use of Cree vocab was wonderful. It’s so important for the current and next generations to know their roots. We need more such books in every country.
I wish there was a little more detail, but then I understand this is a children's book, and too much information can be overwhelming.

I have always loved Julie Flett's illustrations. Their simplicity complement the story, without drawing attention from the storyline. This was a touching story of a child learning his family history through both traveling to the trapline and his grandfather's stories about growing up there, living off the land, and what his family life was like. The interspersed Cree words are a nice cultural touch.

On The Trapline is a beautiful story about a grandfather introducing his grandchild to the places of his home and history. The story is interspersed with Cree language and marked by powerful illustrations of different moments that the grandfather shares. The author's and illustrator's notes at the end add to this, as they discuss their family history and community. I would recommend this picture book for an older audience, K-2.

Important: There is a pronunciation guide at the end of the book. I almost missed it!

A young boy and his Moshom (Grandfather) travel to the north to visit the family's trapline where Moshom grew up.
On the journey the boy learns what life was like for Moshom. Throughout the book, readers, along with the boy, are introduced to aspects of Cree culture, experiences, and history. Life is, and was, very different from the boy's city life. Some experiences, like swimming in a lake and playing with friends are similar. Others, like living in close quarters, working outdoors, eating berries right from the tree, fishing, and being sent away to school, are not.
Each section of the book ends with a Swampy Cree word and it's translation. These create a kind of sacred pause that serve to accentuate the significance of the passage.
At one point they visit the remains of an old building where Moshom went to residential school. Two important words punctuate this recollection. The boy learns from his elder that, "Most of the kids only spoke Cree, but at the school, all us had to talk and learn in English." Moshom adds, "My friends and I snuck into the bush so we could speak our language."
Ininimowin means "Cree Language."
The boy asks what it was like going to school after living on the trapline. After a long time Moshum replies, "I learned in both places... I just learned different things."
Pahkan means "different."
The back matter contains notes from the author and illustrator as well as a glossary of the Swampy Cree words used in the book.
As soon as I started reading this I was reminded of Black Water by David Robertson,, an autobiographical biography of his relationship with his father. The two of them journeyed together to the family's trapline. I was happy to see this connection confirmed in the author's note in the back matter. In this book it feels like Robertson is sharing the essential truths he discovered about his father and himself on that expedition.
Julie Flett's artwork is superbly glorious as always. There is something nostalgic about her work here. Perhaps it's the context of the story, but it might because her family come from the same place as Robertson's. It feels like it reflects her own personal connection to their shared landscape.

Highly recommended. I expect this book to win awards.

This is a really lovely book. The art uses simple shapes, lines, and colors, but it's quite impactful. And the story provides lots of teaching opportunities about Indigenous cultures and histories. A learning experience for both adults & kiddos.

This is an incredible story that says so much with so few words. I loved David A. Robertson’s book WHEN WE t WERE ALONE, which I first read when I was studying to become a teacher. I think that this books ON THE TRAPLINE in a powerful and touching story of what reconciliation can look like.

I will definitely be seeking to buy a copy of this story for my classroom library and to read aloud to younger grades. I love the way that it has a Swampy Cree word on each page, as I can see this being of great interest to many students.

This book is beautifully illustrated and beautifully written. 5/5 stars in my opinion!

What an important and moving story! The art in this picture book was so lovely! It was very meaningful, showing the connection between Moshom and his grandson, while also showing how much the trapline means to him, even years after he left. I especially loved how almost every page includes a word in Cree for readers to learn.

Stories about grandparents always make me think of my grandma, whom I love dearly. I treasure every adventure I get to go on with her, and Moshom and the boy were so sweet and loveable.

This should certainly be in every library and read to all young children. Even teens and adults will love and benefit from this educational combination of gorgeous artwork and beautiful storytelling.

There are picture books that are beautiful because the illustrations are stylish and dazzling and the text is bold and lyrical. Then there are simple, quiet books like this one; beautiful because the language is intentional, spare, incredibly rich, and meaningful. I love books like this. I especially love books like this for children. The text reveals what needs to be said about the relationship between Moshom and his endearing grandson, and the illustrations pair perfectly with the text. Readers will be able to make the connection between Moshom and his grandson and the elders in their lives, while they learn about a way of life that is likely very new to them. This is a perfect book.

Simple, quiet, beautiful. In this book, a boy accompanied his moshom (grandfather) north to visit "the trapline" and the place Moshom grew up. On their trip, Moshom shared stories from his childhood and the Swampy Cree way of life. It was beautiful to accompany them on their journey, learn about the Cree language and culture, and see the beautifully illustrated scenery and its quiet beauty. I enjoyed the way new Cree words were introduced with each new scene, though I wished more of them were directly integrated in the story instead of just stated and defined at the end of each section.

A beautifully illustrated, heartfelt story of family, heritage, and nature. This is one I can't wait to recommend to customers.

When a grandfather and his grandson visit the Cree nation, they visit the Trapline where Moshom (word for grandfather in Cree) lived with this family. The Trapline is up North in Manitoba Canada. Reading about a grandfather and his grandson, I was curious to know more.

The illustrations of their visit from the plane ride to the boat ride was a experience that was felt. You feel the fresh air and the simple life of family and community. My favorite part was learning the language of the Cree and their love of family. A book to be enjoyed with your own grandchildren.
Highly recommended.

A special thank you to Tundra Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

On the Trapline
Written by David A. Robertson and illustrated by Julie Flett
Published by Tundra Books, Penguin Random House
Ages 4-8 years
Available May 4, 2021

A boy and his grandpa, Moshom, take a trip north to visit where Moshom grew up, the trapline. “What’s a trapline?” the boy asks Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt animals and live off the land. When the pair arrive from their flight, they join Moshom’s community. Moshom and his friend greet each other by saying, “tansi,” which means “hi” in Swampy Cree. The landscape is different up north, the boy notices, unlike the city. There are houses here, but far apart. “Is this your trapline?” the boy asks. No, Moshom says, this is where we lived after we left the trapline. There is a shore behind the house, and Moshom tell his grandson how he and his brothers and sisters would swim there. The boy imagines what it would be like, swimming and playing with paper boats in the summer. Moshom takes them down a path leading to an old building, the school he went to after they left the trapline. Most of the students only spoke Cree, but had to learn English. They would sneak off so they could speak their language together. The boy imagines speaking Cree there. As they gaze at the trees, the grandson asks again, “Is this your trapline?” No, Moshom says, his trapline is far from there. They continue on to a river. Moshom and the boy climb into a motorboat, and Moshom smiles. On the river, the boy sees beaver dams and eagles. Moshom points and smiles wide, “That’s my trapline.” They pluck saskatoon berries and Moshom tells how when they were hungry, they had to find food. The boy imagines living there and doing all his chores outside. When they are about to leave, Moshom stands with his grandson at the water’s edge and holds his hand tight. As they depart, the boy asks his grandfather if he can see his trapline. Moshom says he can. The boy can, too.

This gentle and stirring picture book captures the relationship between grandfather and grandson, and the stories and experiences that connect them together. Author David A. Robertson bases this story on a trip he took with his father; his father had not seen the trapline where he grew up for seventy years. Robertson reveals the curiosity and imagination of a young child as he considers how his family lived in the past. The prose is gentle and factual, with a recurrent questioning of, “Is this your trapline?” When the pair arrives at the words, “This is my trapline,” the story leans into savoring what this place means. Julie Flett’s illustrations complement the quiet and inviting prose. Flett’s pictures use warm earth tones to convey the wonder and possibilities of the land. Horizons, grass, and water feature prominently in the imagery, as do the humans who dot the landscape. The effect is haunting and infinite, echoing Robertson’s intergenerational story. The picture book is populated with Swampy Cree language, and the back of the book includes a Swampy Cree glossary and pronunciation guide. The back matter also includes an author’s note and an illustrator’s note, where Robertson discusses his inspiration for the book, and Flett discusses her ties to Robertson and their shared Norway House Cree Nation heritage.