Children's book The Purple Frog to be released in English and Mi'kmaw

A newchildren's bookby a Nova Scotia authorwill be released in both English and Mi'kmaw later this fall.

The Purple Frog was written byAngelaJeffreys, illustratedby Toronto-based MikeMotz and translated into Mi'kmaw by Bernie Francis from MembertouFirst Nation.

WhenJeffreyswas approached with the idea to have the her book translated, she said she was thrilled and shehopes to find a way to offer the book to schoolsin First Nations across Nova Scotia.

"It's about honouring what's unique about yourself," she said.

"The book is about a frog named Hubert. He's teased because he's very different from the other frogs... One day, a green spot shows up, the next day, another one, and he tries to hide it. He's afraid what's going to happen."

How he responds to the change is a surprise, saidJeffreys.

When Franciscame upon the book, he said he saw potential in it and the messageappealed to him.

"The story tries to demonstrate to children that they're perfectly OKthe way they are, and for whatever reason they're 'different,' then they should accept that difference and be happy," said Francis.

The Mi'kmaw translation of the book is called Nsqnanamuksit sqolj.

"I grew up with stories as a kid, those legends that are still bouncing around in my head," he said.

"There was a coherence to them. I wanted to ensure that when this is read, it will have the same effectas the old stories had on me."

Lack of language resources

Ida Denny, principal of Eskasoni Immersion School in Cape Breton, N.S., saidhaving early access to the Mi'kmaw language improves children'sself esteem and cultural identity.

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"You should see how proud they arewhen we have our plays. They are so proud of themselvesto be able to perform, and they're not shy to perform ... all in Mi'kmaw," said Denny.

When the immersion school first began, the staff had to make their own books in the Mi'kmaw language in their spare time.

"They weren't fancy, but it was something to be used by our students," said Denny.

Francis said ifMi'kmaw children learntheir language while they're young, it's easier to retain.

"It's important that children learn the language early in life and learn it correctly," said Francis.

The book will be available Oct.4.

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