It has been a while since I have read a children’s book that has brought tears to my eyes. This book is INCREDIBLE. From the illustrations to the writing, to the recipe for Bannock in the back – I loved and enjoyed reading every single page of this book.
I think it is really interesting how the narrative is told. Instead of one person just telling their audience “I’m Metis and this is what I do,” they share a little about themselves and what they do and then immediately after there is another individual who is Metis who is very similar and shares the same experience as them. This eliminates the barrier of individuals feeling as though they are the only ones who do something. It is so great to see the children in this book feeding off one another's experiences and speaking about their own experiences.
It is incredible that this book includes an individual who is Metis and doesn’t do anything that the other individuals do and claims that he really doesn’t know a whole lot about his own culture. Right after this is revealed, a young girl lets him know that it’s okay not to know and it is never too late to learn about your own culture! This then introduces a brief history of how they do certain things like picking berries and beading. This will certainly make individuals who may not be super in touch with their own culture feel at ease that it isn’t too late to learn. I also LOVE how instead of just including individuals of Metis culture, it includes people who are not but say they are incredibly interested in learning their history and hearing their stories. This opens SUCH a door to astounding inclusivity.
I think that this book is incredibly inclusive of all races, genders, and cultures. However, there is a slight lack of individuals with physical disabilities (i.e. wheelchairs, amputees, etc.). For a book with such amazing messaging, I think bringing in this side of inclusivity will enhance this read just that much more.
I was SO excited to see that in the back of the book is the recipe for Bannock because when I read the page where it is talked about, I immediately wanted to know how to make it. This opens the door for individuals of all ages, and cultures, to create something they just learned about and something that is from another culture. One thing that might be cool to add to the end of the book along with the recipe is some instructions on how to do the beading. The illustrations for the beading are absolutely gorgeous and I think children will be inclined to want to create it on their own.
If I could give this book 100 stars I would. It has everything that a book like this should have. I want to thank Penguin Random House Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion. I would also like to thank Tasha Hilderman for writing such an amazing book that I CANNOT wait to see released.

Thanks NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Tundra Books for this cute arc!

5/5 stars!

This was such a lovely little book. The illustrations and the message are just so touching!

This beautiful book explores identity in a powerful way. It showcases traditions like beadwork and cooking bannock and dancing and overall is a celebration of community, identity, and joy. I can see this being such a valuable book for Metis children to see themselves cherished and celebrated, and this book also invites others to learn.

Lovely illustrations and message. I wish I had had access to books like this while growing up - it addresses the complexities of Métis identity and reconnection in a simple way for children. I appreciate the range of appearances and ages depicted in the book, but would have liked to see more variety of body types and disabilities depicted.

The Métis are sometimes called the forgotten people. Métis are the descendants of the indigenous peoples of Canada and the US that intermarried with the while settlers, usually French fur trappers, but other Europeans as well. This sweet picture book talks about all the things that the culture passes down to the children.

But, even if you live in the city, and have never made Bannock (Traditional flat bread), or beaded a moccasin. Or eaten saskatoon berries, that doesn’t mean you can’t be Métis, nor learn about the culture.

This is a great, inclusive picture book, for Métis, as well as a fun way, for non Métis, to learn a little bit about a different culture than your own.

Beautiful pictures, and easy to read. There is an author’s note in the back, as well as a list of Métis words.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published the 2nd of April 2024 by Tundra Books.

A beautiful new story for a children's selection of books.
I enjoy seeing more and more stories being released that embrace the different cultures and heritages of humanity that have otherwise been repressed from the narrative in the past.
Showing not only an Indigenous culture but also a Canadian heritage, and the different ways modern day family's embrace their past, make this one a must read in my dossier.

The debut picture book by Métis author Tasha Hilderman. An entry point into discussions around Metis heritage, culture and how culture can be ignored or forgotten in the past. The bigger message is that if we don’t know our culture it’s okay and it’s never too late to learn about ourselves and our ancestry. The illustrations are bright and colourful, and the words flow in a light, fun and engaging way. An important addition to classroom and school libraries.