Winter's Gifts

by Kaitlin B. Curtice Narrated by Not Yet Available

Overview

A vibrantly illustrated children's book about an Indigenous girl who finds awe in the resting and waiting that winter teaches us and shares with her friends how Creator's gift of gratitude can transform the way we see the world.

Your thankfulness is your gift to Earth.

Winter's Gifts is the tale of a young Potawatomi girl named Dani whose family celebrates the darkest season of the year by treasuring the slowness that winter brings. Dani's schoolmates think it's silly to think that Earth gives us presents, but on a magical snowy day, her family and Creator give Dani the courage to teach her friends about the gifts of winter-resting, remembrance, and gratitude. Can Dani help them receive winter's gifts?

Winter's Gifts is a joyful and tender family story of honoring creation, the power of storytelling, and how a new perspective can transform us.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191158952
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	03/04/2025
Series:	An Indigenous Celebration of Nature
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

Read an Excerpt

This story is about a girl named Dani (Dah-nee). Dani is the Potawatomi word used to describe affection toward a beloved or special daughter. So, Dani represents not just the special love we share with our human families but also our special status as the beloved children of Creator and of Earth, who was made by Creator to be our mother. I hope you enjoy getting to know Dani in these pages. —Kaitlin



Dani touches a frost-
covered branch on the oak tree in her yard.

She shivers.

Winter, or bbon, is coming in a few days.

Her family will light a fire, or shkodé, and think about the darkest night of the year.

Many of her friends are afraid of the dark, but not Dani.
The dark feels like a hug, and winter is a time for cozy hugs.

The dark of winter reminds us to rest—even the bears rest in winter.