An excellent addition to any school library, Be a Good Ancestor is a compelling picture book that provides readers with gentle lessons about the interconnectedness of the world around us. Coauthors Leona Prince and Gabriella Prince, both from the Nak’azdli Whut’en and Lake Babine Nation, create rhythm and poetic effect throughout this book by using patterned text to capture the reader’s attention and weave a story of growth and balance. Thoughtfully illustrated by Cree artist Carla Joseph, Be a Good Ancestor vividly depicts cyclical patterns in nature as well as shows the vital role humans play in honouring others as a way to nurture relationships, build community, and live in harmony. Suited for K–4 classrooms, this book is ideal for: science topics related to living things, life cycles, and ecosystems; Language Arts lessons on literary elements and devices; and integrated competency-based learning about caring for people, animals, and places.

Other End Matter: Dedications, Author and Illustrator biographies
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Authors Leona Prince (Lake Babine Nation and Nak’azdli Whut'en) and Gabrielle Prince (Lake Babine Nation and Nak’azdli Whut'en), Illustrator Carla Joseph (Cree)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools & Indigenous Books for Schools

Kim Spencer is a graduate of the Writers Studio at Simon Fraser University, where she focused on creative nonfiction. Two of her short stories were published in an anthology released through SFU, and an experimental short story of hers appeared in Filling Station magazine and was shortlisted for the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association Award. Kim was selected as a mentee by the Writers Union of Canada for BIPOC Writers Connect, as well as for ECW's BIPOC Writers Mentorship Program. Her first novel, Weird Rules to Follow debuted on the BC Bestsellers list, received a Kirkus starred review and was named a USBBY 2023 Outstanding International Book. Kim is from the Ts’msyen Nation in northwest BC and currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Kim Spencer's profile page

• Joint winner, Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA) Pacific Northwest Book Awards
• Short-listed, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award
• Nominated, Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards
• Winner, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Jean Little First-Novel Award
• Nominated, The Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks) - Young People’s Literature Text
• Short-listed, BC and Yukon Book Prizes - Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize
• Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
• Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Awards
• Winner, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Short-listed, Indigenous Voices Awards (IVA) - Published prose in English
• Commended, United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List (OIB)
• Winner, The National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award
• Winner, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People

“Recommended.”

School Library Connection

“Heartfelt and moving…Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Like a photo album but in text rather than in pictures…providing the reader with a layered, nuanced picture of Mia’s life.”

Booklist

“Easy to read but poetic and focused…This story, while fiction, rings true.”

The Horn Book

“Authentic and honest…Excellent for upper elementary and middle school students, either in a literature circle or independently.”

Children's Literature

★“Readers will be left with a rich image of Mia’s world and the family and people that surround her as well as a strong sense of how culture and class impact people’s experiences. A touching exploration of identity and culture.”

Kirkus Reviews, starred review