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snazel's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet, beautiful introduction to the Anishinaabe tradition on totem animals.
northernatlas's review against another edition
5.0
This beautiful book weaves together personal associations with various totems (animals that represent different family groups in indigenous cultures) accompanied by stunning illustrations of children mingling with representations of their chosen totem. Lyrical and eye-opening, I only wish there were more pages and pictures.
tennilles's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
jenniechantal's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty significant risk of non-indigenous readers culturally appropriating totems based on the book. I expected a note about this at the end but there was nothing. As others people have said it does nothing to stop kids from “playing Indian”.
Otherwise I loved it. Beautiful art and great for kids to think about changing feeling states.
Otherwise I loved it. Beautiful art and great for kids to think about changing feeling states.
elizabethlk's review against another edition
4.0
I recently read a book that was illustrated by Danielle Daniel and thought the pictures were very sweet and cute. I came across this one on the library website, and thought I would give a story both written and illustrated by her a try.
Daniel's illustrations are sweet and cute and work incredibly well for the story. I actually like these illustrations even better than the other work I saw illustrated by her. The story is so lovely. Looking at different children through the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals serves as a wonderful introduction to the concept. The author's note really brings it all together.
I definitely recommend this, whether you're specifically looking for a story about totem animals or a good picture book in general.
Daniel's illustrations are sweet and cute and work incredibly well for the story. I actually like these illustrations even better than the other work I saw illustrated by her. The story is so lovely. Looking at different children through the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals serves as a wonderful introduction to the concept. The author's note really brings it all together.
I definitely recommend this, whether you're specifically looking for a story about totem animals or a good picture book in general.
cweichel's review
3.0
The illustrations in this book are truly gorgeous. Danielle Daniel, is Metis, but was raised without connection to her culture. She wrote this book for her son to help him connect with his Anishinaabe roots. It shows paintings of children in different animal masks that reference different animal totems. An author's note at the end tells us more about the significance of these totems. I was a bit confused because it seemed in the book that children were choosing their own totem, while in the Anishinaabe culture, it is a clan you are born into.
I was also distressed to see an online activity for children to 'play' at having a totem. I am truly uncomfortable by this because it feels disrespectful to the actual culture.
I was also distressed to see an online activity for children to 'play' at having a totem. I am truly uncomfortable by this because it feels disrespectful to the actual culture.