Publishers Weekly
07/24/2023
A loving intergenerational relationship forms the basis of this portrait of two Indigenous cousins engaging with Lakota customs and elders. Now that she’s a rising third grader, Clara gets to spend solo time with her grandmother and cousin Juniper on the Standing Rock Reservation where they live. After their uncle Louie brings the family tipi over, their grandmother, who is its keeper, lights a braid of sweetgrass before the cousins help to erect the structure and spend time in it—eating, sleeping, withstanding a storm, and joining in community. While bonding with family, they learn that “the circle of our tipi has a story to tell... it is about remembering how to live in the great Circle of Life”; they also learn how to bead, paint spirit pictures, and dry meat, components of heritage that Clara retains when summer ends. Standing Rock Sioux creator Nelson couples luminous acrylic art—inspired by 19th-century ledger drawings, per a note—and text vignettes in this personal-feeling work. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. (May)
The Horn Book Magazine
Nelson’s vibrant illustrations are stylized to reflect Lakota ledger drawings. He effortlessly blends this art style into his realistic, authentic depictions of modern Lakota life.”
Booklist
"This recent creation from acclaimed and prolific author/illustrator Nelson will make for an entertaining and informative read-aloud."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
***STARRED REVIEW*** "Representations of contemporary Native American life are sorely needed on children’s literature shelves, and this extended picture book lovingly chronicles daily life on the reservation as it follows one family’s summer of activities, all centered around the sacred cultural space of a tipi."
From the Publisher
***STARRED REVIEW*** "Representations of contemporary Native American life are sorely needed on children’s literature shelves, and this extended picture book lovingly chronicles daily life on the reservation as it follows one family’s summer of activities, all centered around the sacred cultural space of a tipi."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Nelson’s vibrant illustrations are stylized to reflect Lakota ledger drawings. He effortlessly blends this art style into his realistic, authentic depictions of modern Lakota life.”—The Horn Book Magazine
"Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux) depicts his people’s customs with reverence…When Clara’s time on the Standing Rock Reservation comes to an end, the rich lessons of her heritage stay with her—just as they will with young readers, who will be drawn in by both Nelson’s moving narration and glowing images." —Kirkus
"This recent creation from acclaimed and prolific author/illustrator Nelson will make for an entertaining and informative read-aloud."—Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
2023-04-12
Two young Lakota children learn about their Indigenous culture from loving elders.
Clara can’t wait for an extended summer visit with her cousin Juniper and their unci (grandma) on the Standing Rock Reservation. The excitement only builds when Uncle Louie arrives in his red pickup with “a large canvas-cloth bundle” and “poles, as long as could be”—the family’s tipi, of which Unci is the keeper. Unci teaches Clara and Juniper through storytelling about “the circle of our tipi” and its connection to Cangleska Wakan, or the “Sacred Hoop.” Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux) depicts his people’s customs with reverence; from burning sweetgrass to painting the canvas walls with spirit pictures, the grandchildren’s cultural inheritance is illustrated with warm, beautifully textured details. Under Unci and Uncle Louie’s loving guidance, Clara and Juniper learn more of their Lakota traditions: drying meat into bah-pah (jerky), beading necklaces and traditional dresses, and the hilarious antics of heyokas (sacred clowns). These practices have endured over time, just like the family tipi, built to withstand heat, wind, and rain. When Clara’s time on the Standing Rock Reservation comes to an end, the rich lessons of her heritage stay with her—just as they will with young readers, who will be drawn in by both Nelson’s moving narration and glowing images. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A love letter to Lakota traditions. (author’s note, photographs) (Picture book. 5-10)
