Written & Illustrated by: Julie Flett

For Ages: 3 years and up

Language: English & some Cree

Topics Covered: Indigenous Voices, Own Voices, Intergenerational Stories, Single-Parent Families, Moving, Nature, Seasonal Changes, Drawing.

Summary: Katherena is a young Cree girl who moves with her mother from a little house by the sea into a little house in the country. Near this new little house is an elderly woman named Agnes that Katherena befriends, and they spend lots of time outdoors together gardening and chatting together.

This beautiful book follows the changing of the seasons and the reader watches Katherena and Agnes grow closer together. Simple and emotional, we see how Agnes’ health declines while Katherena’s love of drawing returns. Birdsong, like all of author/illustrator Julie Flett’s work, is breathtaking. The natural landscapes take over the page and the colors evoke the seasons changing so well I can practically feel the breeze on my face and the chill in my fingers. I love the Cree words integrated seamlessly into the text, and the pronunciation guide is beneficial for readers unfamiliar with Cree. This splendid story will occupy shelf space in our home until it turns to dust.

This book was kindly sent by Greystone Kids, but all opinions are my own!