I love the message of groundedness and stewardship presented in "Walking Together." It is a beautiful and accessible way to help children experience their interconnectedness with the ecosystems and communities around them. The illustrator, Emily Kewageshig was the prefect choice for this project as her work effortlessly embodies these truths. This is an eye-catching work that any child (or adult!) would be delighted to have on their shelf.

I’ll add Walking Together to my Indigenous authors and illustrators collection. It will be perfect for a read aloud as the bridge between my Embracing Heritage and my environmental activism units. I was drawn to the vibrant illustrations and the message of living in harmony with the earth.

This was so consciously, beautiful. We see so much of life around us. We take only if there is enough and only what is needed. We thank, we sing, we’re thankful. The artistry was a tapestry woven with generations of life and wealth within the earth. I’d recommend this to every classroom, mother and child. Absolutely outstanding.

I received this e-book free for a genuine review.

Annick Press has another winner in “Walking Together.” Written by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall and Louise Zimanyi, this wandering journey, which introduces the concept of Etuaptmumk or Two-eyed seeing, is a great way to engage with children and to help them observe and appreciate the natural world around them while learning about Indigenous ways of knowing. Anishanaabe artist, Emily Kewageshig’s illustrations, sometimes reminiscent of Norval Morisseau’s bold style, are vibrant and complex, encouraging children to spot the plants and animals hidden in her landscapes. The story and illustrations pair well together and work particularly well as a read aloud, with readers discovering what it means to see the world around them and how they are connected to it. I love the addition of Mi’kmaw and Anishanaabe words to the text, which also makes this a great book to include in school classrooms and libraries. 


Teacher Tips

* Discovery - What animals and plants do you see? Do we have the same animals and plants in our neighbourhood?

* Go for a walk after reading the story and see what you ‘see’, like in the book. 

* What is our role in our neighbourhood? How are we connected? What is our responsibility to each other? to the land? to our plant and animal neighbours? 

* Where are the authors and illustrators from? Look them up on a map of Canada.

At the core of culture amongst Indigenous communities there is the land; the water, the lilies, the trees, the skies, a territory of vast life with passages through the ages, narrating the transitory cycle of existence. Without knowing where we walk, float, & soar we are lost to rubble that hides us from ourselves & the ancestors who have cascaded the skies so that we might experience the beauty of the earth. This is the message we are reminded of within this story; remember whence you came, remember to be kind, remember to be gentle, & you will remember who you are.

For me, this story presents itself as a warm & tender return to home & family. That being said, I think that it is one that everyone can appreciate—whether you are culturally tied to the authors, the illustrator, or the Mi’kmaq whose belief soothes this story. The illustrations by Emily Kewageshig walk the reader through a land that is beyond the most nostalgic dreams one beholds in their innermost self; a land we share, a land that is home. I was filled with the desire to have the illustrations showcased on my walls, so powerfully did they speak to me.

Alongside images of a world that is imagined with strokes that bequest the heart of every worthy warrior of love, the prose manifests itself as a gentle voice from an invisible force, guiding the reader in a familiar & forgiving way. I say forgiving for there have certainly been times for us all when we have not made our ancestors proud or, perhaps, we have not treated the land & those around us with the kindness they deserve. The prose—this guiding voice—reminds us of our participation in life & of how important it is to see through the dual experience even if that means working through the behaviours we have been undertaking, towards those we seek to present.

At its core, this is a beautiful & breathtaking narrative that sets forth a practice that we should all readily adopt; one that asks us to be the person the guiding voice knows us to be. In all, this is a book I am thankful to have had the opportunity to read & one that transcends the ages of every set of eyes that read it, every pair of ears who hear it, & every fingertip that feels it.

Miigwech to the late Spiritual Leader & Healer, Chief Charles Labrador who gestured for us to be as strong as the interwoven tree roots; rapprochement in skin, bodies, hearts, & minds.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annick Press Ltd., Elder Dr. Albert D. Marshall & Louise Zimanyi for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Miigweetch NetGalley and Annick Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was drawn to this book immediately because of the artwork. Emily Kewageshig is a painter in the Woodland style created by artist Norval Morisseau, and simply seeing that type of art on the cover was a sign I needed to stop and take a closer look. The book tells a calm, simple story about being in nature and observing the changes taking place around us. The lessons in the story are important but subtly stated. The illustrations are striking and lovely to behold.

I recommend this book for elementary readers, especially class rooms or day care centers where environmental consciousness is part of the core curriculum. I also recommended it for anyone looking to add more Indigenous authors to their bookshelf.

Such a powerful reminder of the importance of taking care of Mother Earth. This book reminds us that we can learn so much from every living being and every non-living object found in the world. This book is a powerful reminder of what is truly important, and what we have to be grateful for. The artwork is stunning and I like that the author included some key Indigenous vocabulary in several places.

A beautiful story with exceptional imagery to compliment it.

This is the type of book I love. Lessons about our earth, the living things on it and how when we work together we will all thrive. The earth tells us what it needs in return we should respect and take only what we need in return.

I enjoy the addition of Mi'kmaq words and wished there was a proper pronunciation aspect so I don't butcher it while reading.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to review this books