My little Ogichidaa An indigenous lullaby

PreS-Gr 3--An Indigenous mother walks through the woods reciting an anthem of strength, power, and social change to her unborn child. "My little Ogichidaa who lives inside of my womb/ The tiniest seed they never expected to bloom/ Coming into a world that sought your destruction/ A thousand spirits behind you bringing disruption." The lyrical text is reinforced by illustrations in richly hued colors. Most illustrations are spreads with text at the bottom, with a few single-page drawings on a white background. The interconnectedness of all living beings is woven through flowing lines, seeds, braids, or vines with Native American motifs incorporated. One drawing shows a group of people in red shirts or dresses against an orange sky and green ground with flowering bushes. The significance of the moose hide they wear is mentioned in the dedication. The facing page is for readers to journal in. The last page is for the biographies of artist and author. The empowering narrative and stunning artwork combine for a lovely tribute to a future child. VERDICT Despite concerns that the journaling page is an open invitation for this to be marked up, this is a recommended first purchase.--Tamara Saarinen