Written in English by Anishinaabe author Brittany Luby and accompanied by an Ojibwe translation by Marie Ann Corbiere, this book offers readers a look at mnoomin’s (“spirit berry” or rice) relationship with different plants and animals and portrays the interconnected nature and beauty of living things. Beautifully illustrated by Ojibwe woodland artist Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, this book tells the valuable story of the mnoomin seed and how it is tended to and honoured by an Anishinaabe child and their family. Through the eyes of a child, it highlights the traditional practices that a family embodies to sow, gather, celebrate, and give thanks to the mnoomin seed and its cherished gifts. Ideal for K–4 classrooms learning about life cycles, living things, biomes, and the environment, this book includes an Ecological Note and would supplement lessons in Science, Social Studies, Language Arts and Art.

Other End Matter: Ecological Note
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Author Brittany Luby (Anishinaabe), Illustrator Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Wasauksing First Nation ), Ojibwe Translator Marie Ann Corbiere (Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools

BRITTANY LUBY (Anishinaabe-kwe, atik totem) est l’une des nombreuses arrière-petites-filles du chef Kawitaskung, un chef Anishinaabe qui a signé le Traité de l’angle nord-ouest en 1873. D’un coup de crayon, Kawitaskung a accepté de partager des parties de ce qui représente aujourd’hui le Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario avec des colons et leurs descendants. Grâce à ses grands-pères exceptionnels, Brittany croit au pouvoir de l’encre et des mots, c’est pourquoi elle écrit en faveur de la justice sociale. Elle est aussi professeure d’histoire à l’Université de Guelph, spécialisée dans l’histoire de l’Amérique du Nord.

BRITTANY LUBY (Anishinaabe-kwe, atik totem) is the many-greats granddaughter of Chief Kawitaskung, an Anishinaabe leader who signed the North-West Angle Treaty of 1873. With a pen stroke, Kawitaskung agreed to share parts of what is now Northwestern Ontario with settlers and their descendants. Because of her many-greats grandfather, Brittany believes that ink is a powerful tool. The words we write lay the foundation for our future. Brittany writes for social justice. She is also a history professor at the University of Guelph, specializing in Indigenous history in North America.

Brittany Luby's profile page

MANGESHIG PAWIS-STECKLEY is an Anishinaabe illustrator and a member of Wasauksing First Nation. He illustrated the award-winning picture book Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know and Mnoomin maan'gowing / The Gift of Mnoomin, both by Brittany Luby, and is the author and illustrator of Boozhoo! / Hello! He lives in the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples (Vancouver) with his wife Maria and daughter Mino.

Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley's profile page

MARY ANN CORBIERE grew up in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island speaking Nishnaabemwin. She taught her language at the University of Sudbury for many years, obtained a doctorate and continues to work on instructional resources for adult learners. She now lives in Lively, Ontario.

Mary Ann Corbiere's profile page

• Commended, Green Earth Book Award
• Commended, Cooperative Children's Book Center, CCBC Choices
• Winner, Blueberry Award
• Runner-up, Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award

Beautifully rendered, this Anishinaabemowin and English bilingual book is a visual and narrative gift to young readers eager to explore Indigenous culture and ecology.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

A gentle, visually beautiful introduction to this aspect of Anishinaabe culture.

Toronto Star

Rhythmic, poetic, and informative narrative nonfiction at its finest.

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

Luby's reverent text … describes the traditional method of harvesting what grows … Pawis-Steckley's vibrant color palette captures the hues of sunlight throughout the story as well as the lush flora and fauna and the warmth of the human interactions. STARRED REVIEW

Horn Book

A stunning picture book.

Globe and Mail