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Robertson, Joanne. The Water Walker. Second Story Press, 2017.The Water Walker is the true story Nokomis (grandmother in Ojibwe) Josephine Mandamin, the founder of the Mother Earth Water Walkers. Nokomis and the Water Walkers’ goal is show how precious nibi (water) is to our very survival, and to ensure it is properly protected and cared for.Nokomis had always been thankful for nibi, but feels compelled to act when an ogimaa (a leader or chief) told her that one day “... an ounce of water will cost more than an ounce of gold.” What was Nokomis going to do about it? Gathering relations, friends, and community members, they form the Mother Earth Water Walkers, with the goal to protect and honour nibi. Between 2003 and 2009, the Water Walkers walk around the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, carrying a copper bucket of water and a bald eagle staff as they went. The Water Walkers expand their call, walking water from the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Gulf of Mexico. At the end of the book, while Nokomis rests after her all walking, she wonders what are you going to do about protecting nibi?This is an accessible and relevant story appropriate for both early and mid-elementary school children. Younger children will appreciate the vibrant illustrations, while older children will connect with the environmental message of the book. Ojibwe words are used throughout, and there is a detailed glossary and pronunciation guide to assist readers. Finally, there is contact information for Josephine Mandamin, so readers can share with her how they are conserving and protecting water. This book would do well in both public and school libraries. Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Andrea QuaiattiniAndrea Quaiattini is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s JW Scott Health Sciences Library. While working as a camp counsellor, she memorized Mortimer and The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch as bedtime stories for the kids. She can still do all the voices.

Florence, Melanie. Rez Rebel. James Lorimer & Company, 2017.Narrated by Floyd Twofeathers, a young Cree teenager living on the fictional Bitter Lake Reserve, Rez Rebel sheds important and much-needed light onto the suicide crisis faced by Indigenous communities across Canada.Suicides on Bitter Lake Reserve are rampant. Though Floyd occupies a position of status in his community, with his father being the hereditary chief and his mother a traditional healer, he is not immune from the tragedy—his best friend Aaron had committed suicide. However, after a suicide pact leaves four young girls dead, Floyd’s father struggles to find a solution to help his community and its young people find opportunities and support. Floyd and his friends believe that by sharing their own talents and skills (writing, drawing, sports) with their peers, and giving kids the opportunity to learn their traditional knowledge and practices from the Elders, that this will help turn their community around. When Floyd tries to bring these ideas to his father, he is ignored. It is only with a bold act, and another suicide threat that brings about meaningful change on Bitter Lake Reserve.Given the timeliness of the subject matter, and the lack of books on this topic, this is a much-needed novel. However, the overall story itself is a bit uneven. The book opens with the suicide crisis, and the reader can feel the tension and urgency of the situation. There is a lengthy description of Aaron’s suicide, as well as a crisis in Floyd’s family that may be upsetting or triggering to some readers. The middle of the book loses a bit of its focus, with chapters showing Floyd and his friends being teenagers—hanging out, fishing, falling in love—with little connection to the broader plot. The final quarter of the story reconnects the reader with the suicide crisis and Floyd’s solution for his community. The prose and tone are realistic—teenagers will see themselves in the characters, and the language is simple and accessible.This book would do well in the young adult section of public libraries, as well as in junior high and high school libraries. Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Andrea QuaiattiniAndrea Quaiattini is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s JW Scott Health Sciences Library. While working as a camp counsellor, she memorized Mortimer and The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch as bedtime stories for the kids. She can still do all the voices.

Florence, Melanie. Stolen Words. Illus. Gabrielle Grimard. Second Story Press, 2017.Stolen Words is a sensitive and thoughtful story about the legacy and intergenerational impact of Canada’s residential school system, the reclamation of language, and the tender relationship between a seven-year-old nôsisim (granddaughter) and her nimosôm (grandfather). Florence draws on her own experience for the story, having never had the opportunity to speak to her own nimosôm about his Cree heritage.After making a dreamcatcher in school, Nôsisim goes to her nimosôm, asking how to say “grandfather” in Cree. Nimosôm replies that he “lost his words a long time ago.” He explains that he (and his words) were taken away from their home, “... to a school that was cold and lonely, where angry white faces raised their voices and their hands when we used our words.” Nôsisim wants to help Nimosôm “find your words again,” and the next day, brings home a Cree dictionary. Reading the long-forgotten words, Nimosôm’s language is reawakened, and he promises Nôsisim that he will teach her his words.Stolen Words does not shy from the realities and long-term impacts of the residential school system. However, Florence addresses these sensitively and age-appropriately. For example, Nimosôm talks about being separated from his family. While the pain of the separation is clear, Florence’s gentle prose ensures it is not overwhelming for young readers. Also, Grimard’s illustrations are evocative, highlighting the close relationship between Nôsisim and Nimosôm, and effectively showing how Nimosôm’s language was captured (and freed) using bird imagery.The phrasing of the sentences, and the inclusion of Cree words makes this a more appropriate read-aloud to younger readers, but it would be suitable for independent reading for students in mid-elementary school. While the subject matter is relevant for students in upper-elementary school, the text itself is below grade reading level. This book is highly recommended for both school and public libraries. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Andrea QuaiattiniAndrea Quaiattini is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s JW Scott Health Sciences Library. While working as a camp counsellor, she memorized Mortimer and The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch as bedtime stories for the kids. She can still do all the voices.

Akulukjuk, Roselynn. The Owl and the Lemming, illustrated by Amanda Sandland, Inhabit Media, 2016.The Owl and the Lemming is a traditional Inuit fable, and is based off of Roselynn Akulukjuk’s live-action and puppetry short film of the same name. This is a simple story of pride getting in the way of a tasty dinner on the Arctic tundra.After a long winter, Lemming comes out of her burrow to gorge herself on the tasty moss. Owl, who is also hungry, sees Lemming, and blocks the entrance to her home. Unable to pass, Lemming realizes she will have to trick Owl into moving away from her home. She suggests to Owl that he lean back, and look up into the blue sky - “No way! I am not stupid!” She then suggests that Owl wait for a fatter lemming to come by - “Why would I want to wait for a lemming that might never come out when I can just eat you?” Finally, Lemming suggests they have a contest to see who can jump the highest.The book is written simply enough that it could be used for children to practice their reading, though the text size is small and compact, making pointing a challenge. The illustrations are a combination of photographs of the tundra landscape, with Owl and Lemming superimposed as cartoon figures, which makes for an odd juxtaposition. However, the cartoons do allow for Owl and Lemming to show their personalities and reactions to their respective predicaments.Overall, this is an entertaining story, and the illustrations help to root it in the Inuit tradition. This book would do well in both schools and public libraries.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Andrea QuaiattiniAndrea Quaiattini is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s JW Scott Health Sciences Library. While working as a camp counsellor, she memorized Mortimer and The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch as bedtime stories for the kids. She can still do all the voices.

Asnong, Jocey. Rocky Mountain 123s. Rocky Mountain Books, 2017.Though ultimately a basic counting book, Rocky Mountain 123s is a wholly whimsical and entertaining board book. Jocey Asnong, inspired by the beautiful surroundings of her home in Canmore, Alberta, takes readers on a numerical romp through the Rocky Mountains. Rocky Mountain 123s perfectly accompanies Asnong’s 2016 board book Rocky Mountain ABCs, with both books using the action and adventure of the great outdoors to teach the most foundational lessons to children.Though there is no overarching narrative, a page is a little story unto itself. Each page focuses on one number, with the numbers counting up sequentially from one to twenty. There is a short, simple sentence describing the “story”, with a colourful illustration to match. Using both animals and people as subjects, Asnong situates them in a variety of outdoor activities and locations around the Rockies, which she identifies in a small side text. “Fifteen footprints are made in the snow” has a girl tromping across Lake O’Hara in her snowshoes, while “Nine goats climb a hard line” shows mountain goats scrambling up Maligne Canyon. Readers will be able to easily identify and count the number items on the page - “Twelve tents light up the night” has twelve easily countable tents perched around Mount Robson. The number is also numerically written out in bold print and colour to help readers connect the illustration to the number.This is a delightful book, and is highly recommended. However, as it is a board book, it would be most appropriate for public libraries.Highly Recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Andrea QuaiattiniAndrea Quaiattini is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta’s JW Scott Health Sciences Library. While working as a camp counsellor, she memorized Mortimer and The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch as bedtime stories for the kids. She can still do all the voices.