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A review by jecoats
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
4.0
I discovered this picturebook while searching for winners of the Caldecott Medal (which this book was awarded in 2021) on Goodreads. I checked out a physical copy from my local library.
This is a tale about the importance of water, and how it is necessary that all of us help protect this sacred resource. Set against the backdrop of indigenous views about nature and the interconnectedness of all living things, We Are Water Protectors is a story of protecting Mother Earth and turning humanity away from the forces that threaten all life on the planet.
While this may at first seem like a didactic text, I have grown to appreciate Carole Lindstrom’s direct and unapologetic take on water pollution and environmentalism. Although much of the language of the book uses indigenous lore to tell the story, Lindstrom is not mincing her words. Her stance is that oil pollution is extremely harmful and we must fight for the survival of the planet.
Michaela Goade’s artwork in We Are The Water Protectors is absolutely gorgeous. She uses bold lines to give every object shape and weight on the page. The saturated colors make every image vibrant and eye-catching. There is also a superb level of detail in each illustration, from the tiny floral print on a character's dress to the feathers of a hummingbird, that captures the wonder and beauty of the natural world.
While there are certainly some aspects of We Are Water Protectors that can act as both a mirror and a window, such as the indigenous beliefs depicted in the narrative, this aspect is not as pronounced as it has been in other picture books I have read. However, I feel that this is still an important title in that regard because the book seems to lovingly and accurately portray various aspects of indigenous beliefs. Since books written by and about indigenous people compose such a small percentage of children's books, titles such as this can really help our indigenous students feel seen and welcomed in our classrooms.
This is a tale about the importance of water, and how it is necessary that all of us help protect this sacred resource. Set against the backdrop of indigenous views about nature and the interconnectedness of all living things, We Are Water Protectors is a story of protecting Mother Earth and turning humanity away from the forces that threaten all life on the planet.
While this may at first seem like a didactic text, I have grown to appreciate Carole Lindstrom’s direct and unapologetic take on water pollution and environmentalism. Although much of the language of the book uses indigenous lore to tell the story, Lindstrom is not mincing her words. Her stance is that oil pollution is extremely harmful and we must fight for the survival of the planet.
Michaela Goade’s artwork in We Are The Water Protectors is absolutely gorgeous. She uses bold lines to give every object shape and weight on the page. The saturated colors make every image vibrant and eye-catching. There is also a superb level of detail in each illustration, from the tiny floral print on a character's dress to the feathers of a hummingbird, that captures the wonder and beauty of the natural world.
While there are certainly some aspects of We Are Water Protectors that can act as both a mirror and a window, such as the indigenous beliefs depicted in the narrative, this aspect is not as pronounced as it has been in other picture books I have read. However, I feel that this is still an important title in that regard because the book seems to lovingly and accurately portray various aspects of indigenous beliefs. Since books written by and about indigenous people compose such a small percentage of children's books, titles such as this can really help our indigenous students feel seen and welcomed in our classrooms.