The Scout: Tommy Prince

Selected by The Canadian Children’s Book Centre for inclusion in the Fall 2014 edition of Best Books for Kids & Teens and signified as a title of exceptional calibre. A search down a wooded path for a well-hit baseball turns into an encounter between Pamela and a veteran soldier standing in front of a monument. The statue commemorates the heroism of Sgt. Tommy Prince, the most decorated Aboriginal soldier in Canada. Pamela is curious, and the veteran is happy to regale her with the story of the expert marksman and tracker, renowned for his daring and bravery in World War II and the Korean War. The Scout is one book in the Tales from Big Spirit series. Tales from Big Spirit is a unique six-book graphic novel series that delves into the stories of some of the great Indigenous heroes from Canadian history–some already well known and others who deserve to be. Designed to correspond to grades 4-6 social studies curriculums across Canada, these full colour graphic novels could be used in literature circles, novel studies, and book clubs to facilitate discussion of social studies topics. These books will help students make historical connections while promoting important literacy skills. David Alexander Robertson is an award-winning graphic novelist and writer who has long been an advocate for educating youth on indigenous history and contemporary issues. He has created several graphic novels, including his newest series, Tales From Big Spirit, as well as the bestselling 7 Generations series. Scott Henderson has worked as an illustrator for comics, portraiture, and advertising art. He is author/ illustrator of the sci-fi/fantasy comic, The Chronicles of Era and illustrated two comics for the Canadian Air Force’s For Valour series, the bestselling graphic novel series 7 Generations, selected titles from the Tales From Big Spirit series, and, most recently, the graphic novel, Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story. Scott is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s School of Art. Publisher’s note.