Overview
The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. We all belong to the earth and we all belong to the drum. Nikosis grew up going to powwows with his family, happily immersed in music, dance and the sounds of the drum. But when he starts going to daycare, he doesn't feel like he belongs. Nikosis cries every time his mother leaves him in the unfamiliar environment until, one day, she and the teachers use drums to help Nikosis find connection and comfort. Inspired by her son's experience--and her family's love of powwow music and dance--Indigenous educator and champion hoop dancer Sandra Lamouche shares this uplifting true story of the transformative effects of culturally safe and inclusive early childhood education. This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Plains Cree.
Full Product Details
Author: Sandra Lamouche ,
Azby Whitecalf ,
Dolores Greyeyes Sand
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Imprint: Orca Book Publishers
Edition: Bilingual Edition, English and Plains Cree ed.
Dimensions:
Width: 22.90cm
, Height: 1.00cm
, Length: 26.90cm
Weight: 0.386kg
ISBN: 9781459834385
ISBN 10: 1459834380
Pages: 32
Publication Date: 16 May 2023
Recommended Age: From 3 to 5 years
Audience:
Children/juvenile
,
Children / Juvenile
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
"""This title exemplifies the importance of inclusion and belonging and offers a sense of community, whether it be with family, at cultural events or at daycare. The illustrations are bright, vivid, and joyful and they serve as a wonderful supplement to the text. Recommended for school, home and public libraries.""-- ""Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children's Book News"" ""A delightful picture book...Tells a classic family story of a child's introduction to the world outside of their family and the growing pains involved. Lamouche sweetly emphasizes the importance of family and culture, particularly for Indigenous families.""-- ""CM: Canadian Review of Materials"" ""Flowing lines and colorful details to enliven this simple yet emotionally resonant story. -Offering an appreciative glimpse of Cree culture and traditions, and a gentle message of -inclusion, this is a welcome addition to the 'first day of school' shelves in school and public -libraries.""-- ""School Library Journal"" ""This upbeat story, accompanied by exuberant watercolor illustrations, demonstrates the power of sharing and appreciating varying cultures.""-- ""Booklist"" ""A good book filled with illustrations of diversity and inclusion...A great addition to any preschool library. It is relatable to young children, but unique and sets itself apart."" -- ""Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)"""
"""Flowing lines and colorful details to enliven this simple yet emotionally resonant story. -Offering an appreciative glimpse of Cree culture and traditions, and a gentle message of -inclusion, this is a welcome addition to the 'first day of school' shelves in school and public -libraries.""-- ""School Library Journal"" ""This upbeat story, accompanied by exuberant watercolor illustrations, demonstrates the power of sharing and appreciating varying cultures.""-- ""Booklist"""
Author Information
Sandra Lamouche is a Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree woman) from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta. She is a wife, mother of two boys with braids, champion women's hoop dancer, award-winning educator and two-time TEDx speaker. She has a bachelor of arts in Native American studies and is currently completing a thesis on Indigenous dance as a determinant of well-being. Sandra and her family live in Blackfoot Territory (Treaty 7), the heart of powwow country in southern Alberta. Azby Whitecalf is a Plains Cree character designer and illustrator based out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Treaty 6 Territory. They have a bachelor's degree in visual communication (character design) from the Alberta University of the Arts. An important part of their practice is creating accurate and positive representations of Indigenous Peoples and cultures and exploring what it is to portray Indigenous people in a way that captures their multidimensional identities. They are the illustrator of Buffalo Wild! Azby enjoys working with bright colors, strong contrast and fun shapes. As a first-language speaker of Plains Cree (nêhiyawêwin), translator Dolores Greyeyes Sand has devoted her career to teaching and promoting Cree language and cultural literacy at every opportunity, proudly following the path laid by her late mother, Dr. Freda Ahenakew, CM, SOM.
