An Anishinaabe child and her grandmother explore the natural wonders of each season in this lyrical, bilingual story-poem.

In this lyrical story-poem, written in Anishinaabemowin and English, a child and grandmother explore their surroundings, taking pleasure in the familiar sights that each new season brings.

We accompany them through warm summer days full of wildflowers, bees and blueberries, then fall, when bears feast before hibernation and forest mushrooms are ripe for harvest. Winter mornings begin in darkness as deer, mice and other animals search for food, while spring brings green shoots poking through melting snow and the chirping of peepers.

Brittany Luby and Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley have created a book inspired by childhood memories of time spent with Knowledge Keepers, observing and living in relationship with the natural world in the place they call home - the northern reaches of Anishinaabewaking, around the Great Lakes.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

About the Author
BRITTANY LUBY, of Anishinaabe descent, was raised on Treaty #3 Lands in what is currently known as northwestern Ontario. She is an associate professor of history at the University of Guelph who seeks to stimulate public discussion of Indigenous issues through her work. Her picture books include the award-winning Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know, illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Brittany now lives on territories cared for under the Dish with One Spoon Covenant. MANGESHIG PAWIS-STECKLEY is an Anishinaabe illustrator and a member of Wasauksing First Nation. He illustrated the award-winning picture book Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know and Mnoomin maan'gowing / The Gift of Mnoomin, both by Brittany Luby, and is the author and illustrator of Boozhoo! / Hello! He lives in the unceded territories of the x ma k ay am (Musqueam), Skwx wu7mesh (Squamish) and salilwatal (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples (Vancouver) with his wife Maria and daughter Mino. ALVIN TED CORBIERE and ALAN CORBIERE, father and son, are Anishinaabe from M'Chigeeng First Nation. Alvin's first language is Anishinaabemowin, aka Ojibwe, and Alan is learning it as a second language. They collaborate to produce curricular materials in Anishinaabemowin for learners of all ages. Alan Corbiere is an assistant professor of Indigenous history at York University in Toronto. ALVIN TED CORBIERE and ALAN CORBIERE, father and son, are Anishinaabe from M'Chigeeng First Nation. Alvin's first language is Anishinaabemowin, aka Ojibwe, and Alan is learning it as a second language. They collaborate to produce curricular materials in Anishinaabemowin for learners of all ages. Alan Corbiere is an assistant professor of Indigenous history at York University in Toronto.

Reviews

Inviting readers into a beloved locale, this book is recommended for all picture book collections, especially those seeking more titles highlighting Indigenous people, their languages, and their artwork. STARRED REVIEW

* School Library Journal *

Luby subtly shows that asking how a child knows a season has changed ... creates a more personalized, meaningful learning experience. STARRED REVIEW

* Quill & Quire *

A warmhearted depiction of the seasons and intergenerational closeness.

* Horn Book *

Highly recommended for home, school and public libraries as a lovely story, but also as an introduction to Indigenous worldview and the Anishinaabemowin language.

* Canadian Children's Book News *

Brittany Luby's (Anishinaabe) exceptional text is perfectly complemented by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley's (Ojibwe) gorgeous art.

* Cooperative Children's Book Center *

In this lyrical, bilingual story, a grandmother's knowledge reveals wonders.

* Kirkus Reviews *

[A] triumph of art, literal and graphic.

* CanLit for Little Canadians *

[H]ighly recommended for being a simple and charming tool to teach and learn about various forms of Indigenous knowledge: language, artwork, and traditional ways of learning and knowing.

* CM Review of Materials *

A powerful story that models how to build love and respect for the land and environment.

* Toronto Star *

[B]oth a celebration of the seasons and a close look at the natural world.

* Globe & Mail *

The story reveals the love they have for nature and for each other.

* Calgary Herald *

[D]istinct, clean lines and appealing use of colour.

* Postmedia *

Aimed at younger readers but a pleasant read for anyone.

* Windspeaker *


Awards
Winner of Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award 2022 (Canada) and Indigenous Voices Award 2022 (Canada). Commended for Cooperative Children's Book Center Book of the Week 2021 (United States) and CCBC Choices 2022 (Canada). Short-listed for Governor General's Literary Awards for Young People's Literature - Illustrated Books 2021 (Canada).



Book Information
ISBN 9781773063263
Author Brittany Luby
Format Hardback
Page Count 44
Imprint Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Publisher Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Weight(grams) 399g
Dimensions(mm) 215mm * 222mm * 17mm