A delightful story about a young girl and her grandmother, this book offers a contemporary look at their special relationship through daily life together and highlights a celebratory adventure to the city. Written and illustrated by Hali Heavy Shield, who is a member of the Blood Nation of southern Alberta, this book embeds Blackfoot words throughout and uses bright and colourful artwork to help tell the story. From a child’s perspective, this book includes a gentle reference to Naaahsa’s experience in a residential school and how she found healing as an artist and grandmother. This book would support Social Studies units on families, intergenerational roles, community, and culture. With a distinct graphic art style, this book also offers an opening to further explore Heavy Shield’s art and design work as part of Arts Education.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Residential school experiences
Other End Matter: None
Images: Colour illustrations.
Contributor Affiliation: Hali Heavy Shield (Blood Tribe of Southern Alberta)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: Melanie M., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Hali Heavy Shield is a multidisciplinary artist and a member of the Blood Tribe of Southern Alberta. Her first book for children was inspired by the many adventures she’s had with her mom, Faye, who is also an artist. Hali’s work is influenced by experiences in her home community, including Blackfoot stories, significant sites, family, and women as sources of strength and goodness. She lives in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Hali Heavy Shield's profile page

• Joint winner, Globe 100: Best Book of 2023
• Joint winner, Second Story Press Indigenous Writing Contest
• Globe & Mail's Top Ten Children's Book of 2023
• Galleries West Best Art Books of 2023

“This is a beautifully written and illustrated book that covers a lot of ground in 24 pages. At its heart is the relationship between the young girl and Naaahsa and how she learns to appreciate art, both in small ways like painting at home, and in big ways like attending an art gallery featuring Naaahsa’s work.”

Librarian at Syracuse City School District

"This children’s book is gently inspirational...yet another quietly powerful act."

Galleries West

"Readers will feel the safe and comforting presence of the narrator’s grandmother and her strong connection with her granddaughter.... Nevertheless, this is also a story with depth, about maintaining connection to the past through a spoken language – Blackfoot. At residential school, a defiant whisper in Blackfoot says so much: Kitsiikákomimm. I love you.'"

Quill and Quire