Our Ancestors' Kitchen
Available now for per-order, officially releasing in Spring 2025.
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A poignant and poetic picture book celebrating traditional Indigenous harvesting, foods, and the connections that these build for all our relations.
It’s a special day: the young protagonist in this memorable story is learning her grandfather’s favorite recipe from her grandmother! As each ingredient is prepared for this special dish, readers will be eager to follow along as they are transported back to each instance of gathering, hunting, and harvesting foods in the traditional ways throughout the seasons.
Willie Poll’s poetic voice leads the readers through the seasons and what Mother Earth offers to us in nature in this beautiful celebration of the Earth, our foods, our family, and the importance of grieving those we love. With an emphasis on the importance of thanking the land for what is given to us, sharing with our community, and offering a plate to our ancestors, this gentle and thoughtful tale will resonate with readers young and old alike. Shaikara David’s bright and inviting illustrations carry the cooking experience from the kitchen, to the forest, and back again.
Featuring an author’s note on traditional harvesting practices and a recipe for Nuwish, Our Ancestors’ Kitchen is a joyous exploration of love, food, and culture.
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This story was illustrated by the phenomenal Shaikara David - follow them on Instagram here!
My Little Ogichidaa
My Little Ogichidaa is inspired by Indigenous motherhood. It invites readers to explore the compelling dreams and hopes of an Indigenous parent for her soon-to-be-born warrior. The word Ogichidaa itself means warrior in Anishinaabemowin, and this beautifully illustrated book is a tribute to Indigenous families everywhere who are proudly raising their children to carry forward their culture, language, and love with resilience, strength, and kindness. This story is proof that despite colonization, our world is full of Indigenous art, beauty, love, and brilliance.
"An Indigenous mother walks through the woods reciting an anthem of strength, power, and social change to her unborn child. The lyrical text is reinforced by illustrations in richly hued colors. The empowering narrative and stunning artwork combine for a lovely tribute to a future child...this is a recommended first purchase." - School Library Journal Starred Review
"...beautifully surreal. [An] inspiring picture book celebrating Indigenous children, families, and culture." - Publishers Weekly BookLife Review
"...lovely, lyrical picture book... a love letter to the next generation. The colorful, vivid illustrations depict the beauty and wonder of childbirth... Whether readers are Indigenous themselves or not, this book is a celebration of human life and the resilience that can be found in even the most challenging of situations. Beautiful and heartfelt, this is a lovely addition to a family's home library." -- Children's Literature, A CLCD Company
This story was illustrated by the amazing Hawlii Pichette, you can view more of their work here.
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Together we drum, our hearts beat as one
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In this beautifully illustrated book, a determined young Anishnaabe girl in search of adventure goes on a transformative journey into a forest on her traditional territory. She is joined by a chorus of her ancestors in red dresses, who tell her they remember what it was like to be carefree and wild, too. Soon, though, the girl is challenged by a monster named Hate, who envelops her in a cloud of darkness. She climbs a mountain to evade the monster, and, with the help of her matriarchs and the power of Thunderbird, the monster is held at bay. Together the young girl and her ancestors beat their drums in song and support, giving the girl the confidence she needs to become a changemaker in the future, capable of fending off any monster in her way.
Together We Drum, Our Hearts Beat as One is a moving and powerful book about Indigenous resistance and ancestral connection.
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"Métis author Willie Poll’s rhyming text offers a story of empowerment and confidence to children dealing with monsters in their own lives. The girl comes to know that she is not alone and becomes a strong matriarch in her own right. This is a wonderful read for children and their families that demonstrates the power of ancestral connection, strength, resistance, and resilience." Starred review from the Quill and Quire.
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Together we drum was an Indigenous voices finalist.
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Check out more incredible art work by Chief Lady Bird on her Instagram here!
You can download free learning resources and colouring pages to go along with the book here. They are great for classrooms or at home activities!
Minnow; The girl who was part fish
2024 First Nations Community reads finalist!​
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A young Indigenous water protector named Minnow goes on an underwater journey; learning from our ocean-living relatives. When she returns to the surface, she gathers her community to help make a change.
This story is told in lyrical rhyme and helps children gain a better respect for Indigenous water and land protectors, the environment and world around them, and helps show children activism at an early age.
"This book is our Land Back love letter."
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Check out more incredible art work by bailey macabre on their Instagram here!
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