READING WEDNESDAYS

FAMILY

“Love makes a family.”—Seamus Kirst

Stories about families are as varied as are the families themselves. Here are some examples. But the one thing these stories share is love.

TAKÓŽA: WALKS WITH THE BLUE MOON GIRL, Tara Perron / Alicia Schwab (that’s me!). Takóža (granddaughter) is an endearing, lyrical, illustrated children’s story about a young Dakota girl, Walks With the Blue Moon Girl, and her Kúŋši (grandmother). The grandmother teaches her Takóža through story while making star quilts, and planting and caring for a garden.

PAPA, DADDY & RILEY, Seamus Kirst / Devon Holzwarth. Families come in all shapes and sizes. Some families have same-sex parents because love is love.

PETER’S CHAIR, Ezra Jack Keats. “When Peter discovers his blue furniture is bing painted pink for a new baby sister, he rescues his unpaired chair and runs away.

GOGGLES!, Ezra Jack Keats. “Archie, look what I found,” Peter shouted. “Motorcycle goggles!”

BRACELETS FOR BINA’S BROTHERS, Rajani LaRocca / Chaya Prabhat. This year, Bina wants to make her three older brothers gifts for the Rakish Bandhan holiday all by herself. Learn about colors and patterns.

DAD AND THE DINOSAUR, Jennifer Choldenko / Dan Santat. When Nicholas loses his favorite toy dinosaur he has trouble facing his fears, but his dad helps him find his toy and his courage.

TAKE YOUR MAMA TO WORK TODAY, Amy Reichert / Alexandra Boiger. Sharpen your pencils, because today you need to help your mom at the office. There’s lots of things to do and to NOT do. oops!

#Cozytober 2021: Stories

Stories come in all shapes and sizes. This image is from my picture book, TAKÓŽA: WALKS WITH THE BLUE MOON GIRL, written by Tara Perron. TAKÓŽA (grandchild) learns about gardening ( and seeds) from her Kúŋši (grandmother). This endearing, lyrical picture book is full of love, family and community. #Cozytober is a month-long art prompt during October.

“Takoza (grandchild), you must realize all great things grow with time.” —Tara Perron, TAKOZA: WALKS WITH THE BLUE MOON GIRL

Great Book Review: TAKOZA

I am grateful that the non-profit organization The Circle: Native American News and Arts gave my book TAKOZA: WALKS WITH THE BLUE MOON GIRL, a great review. “Takoza: Walks with the Blue Moon Girl” is the most literary of the three books. Written by Tara Perron (Dakota/Ojibwe), it’s the story of a little Dakota girl who loves her grandmother’s bedtime stories. Grandmother (Kunsi) makes sense of the world, explaining that children are like sacred seeds in a family garden.

“You were born into the world from the drum of your mother’s heartbeat,” Kunsi said softly.

“Made up of all the love and strength of the ancestors before you, like all young seeds you are carried by many hearts and drums.”

A glossary at the end translates the 12 Dakota words used in the story, from Takoza (grandchild) to Tate (wind.) This is a very sweet story of generational ties and love.

The illustrations by Alicia Schwab will hold a child’s interest as Takoza learns the importance of seeds, gifts from the Creator, and nurturing.