Kisēwātisi: Be Kindby Elizabeth Merasty, Illustrations by Brie Phillips, Woodland Cree Translations by Edie VennePublished by Your Nickle’s Worth Publishing (YNWP)Review by Michelle Shaw$19.95 ISBN 9781778690624 The simplest stories and actions sometimes have the deepest effect. Elizabeth Merasty’s new, beautifully illustrated children’s book, about simple acts of kindness, belie the deeper narrative of her mother’s stay at a residential school. As a child Merasty’s late mother, Catherine Conner (née Merasty), made the long journey, with her siblings, by boat from Pelican Narrows to the Sturgeon Landing Residential School in northern Saskatchewan. The book opens with an encounter told through the eyes of a child – Elizabeth – who is at the grocery store with her mother. Suddenly a woman appears, recognises her mother and hugs her with tears in her eyes. They begin to laugh and talk in Cree. Later, Elizabeth’s mother explains that they went to boarding school together and shared many experiences. She says it’s been almost 40 years since they went to school, but the woman was happy to see her because she remembers the kindness she experienced. “Be kind,” she tells her daughter. “You will never be sorry you were kind.” The soft-cover book is illustrated…

Li’l One – oskawasisby Treena WynesIllustrated by Olha TkachenkoTranslated by Charlotte RossPublished by Your Nickel’s Worth PublishingReview by Sally Meadows$19.95 ISBN 9781778690631 In the opening scene of Li’l One – oskawasis, a very pregnant woman looks up to the sky, arms wrapped around her belly, almost certainly daydreaming about her little one who will soon arrive. Gathered in the background, her extended family members smile with expectancy. This book is ostensibly about the birth of a child, but what really struck me was the emphasis on the significant role community–both people and natural setting–plays in welcoming a First Nations baby into the fold. This beautifully illustrated story is told with eager anticipation, as the entire family prepares for the child’s birth. We see key cultural elements of Cree-speaking peoples as grandparents lovingly craft a cradle board and moccasins, while aunties and uncles, respectively, bead regalia and hunt for the impending celebratory feast. We also see how nature–the birds, the wind, the trees, and the moon–extend a welcoming invitation to the baby soon to be born. The book is replete with lovely phrasing from author Treena Wynes including this one: “You’re a gift from Creator is what we are told, borrowed…

Webster the Smiling Dogby Traci DeckIllustrated by Maria DaghPublished by Your Nickel’s Worth PublishingReview by Sally Meadows$19.95 ISBN 9781778690594 Webster lives in a pet store where he and his siblings wait for their forever homes. First, his sister is adopted, then his brother. Other dogs, including two playful beagle puppies and two endearing cairn terriers come and go. Despite his sunny disposition, Webster is still at the shop five months after his arrival. Will Webster ever get the family he longs for? I couldn’t help smiling when I picked up my copy of Webster the Smiling Dog. With its bright yellow cover adorned with the face of an adorable, fluffy white pup, the book is visually appealing and will draw children (and those who read to them) to it, whether they long for a furry friend or are reminded of their own pet’s origin story. I appreciated how author Traci Deck highlighted the different kinds of adoptive families (ones with kids, couples, and singles) eager to welcome a new pet into their life. I can see this book being a favourite in classrooms and in the home, with a story kids will want to read over and over again. The…

My Monster Mommyby Megan Ryan, Illustrated by Brenna SengerPublished by Meow! Pete’s PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$15.99 ISBN 9781069345912 The luckiest among us were read to as children, and long may that wonderful tradition continue. Giving children books as gifts—and spending quality time sharing these books with our loved ones—can lead to a lifelong love of literature. In today’s hectic technological era, I wondered if the sharing of “bedtime stories” is something that exhausted contemporary parents still have the time and energy for. After a little Googling, I learned that as recently as 2024, children’s and YA books [still] accounted for 40% of all English-language book sales in Canada. That’s great news—for writers and readers. With all the children’s books published over the centuries, coming up with original ideas can be challenging, but Saskatchewan writer—and busy mom—Megan Ryan has a delightful new children’s book that is indeed unique. My Monster Mommy is also timely: it addresses how mothers who also work outside the home might be extra tired, and require a little “alone time” as they switch gears between their jobs/careers and family time. The softcover My Monster Mommy—digitally illustrated by Brenna Senger— introduces us to young Sammy, who’s concerned that…

The Real Story of Winnie the Poohby Bob FriedrichPublished by Last Mountain PublishersReview by Sally Meadows$19.95 ISBN 9780995962613 Did you know that the inspiration for the beloved literary character Winnie-the-Pooh was a real-life bear named Winnie who was a mascot for a Canadian infantry brigade sent overseas duringWorld War I? Or that there was a real-life boy named Christopher Robin (the son of A.A. Milne,the creator of the Winnie-the-Pooh series) who met the real-life Winnie at the London Zoo? Orthat Winnie was in fact female, not male? The new children’s book The Real Story of Winnie thePooh dishes up all the details leading up to the creation of the the iconic Pooh Bear characterwho has charmed millions worldwide since the first book in the series was published in 1926. Author Bob Friedrich has successfully woven actual historical events into an imaginative storytold mostly from Winnie’s perspective that will delight and enlighten children and those whoread to them. Beginning with the young veterinarian Harry’s encounter with Winnie at anOntario train station, the reader rides along with Winnie on her remarkable journey from anorphaned cub to the famous “playing bear” at one of the most historically important zoos in theworld. Friedrich’s story…

A Home for Hairyby Maureen Ulrich, Illustrated by Brenda BlackburnPublished by Flatlands PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$24.99 ISBN 9781069113511 What I know about Saskatchewan’s Maureen Ulrich is that she understands how to engage readers, her genres and subject matter are varied, and her children’s picture books—ie: Sam and the Big Bridge, which I previously reviewed—are delightfully heartwarming. Ulrich, a former teacher, recently released another moving story for young readers. A Home for Hairy is a softcover featuring a foul-breathed cat (Hairy) with low self-esteem, and Alison, a busy healthcare worker and weekend-warrior (aka adventurer) who takes a chance on fostering the scruffy-looking feline at the animal shelter, and welcomes him into her life. Though Hairy’s weekdays are spent inside young Alison’s brick apartment building while she’s at work or reading medical texts and crashing, exhausted on her couch (the illustration for this page shows her asleep on her couch with phone in hand, kitty litter escaping the cat box, and household chores undone), he enjoys “watching the world go by” from his windowsill perch, and during the weekends he and Alison get up to outdoor adventures like hiking, canoeing, and, when winter blows in, snow-boarding. These are daring and questionable…

Kohkum’s Royal Bannockby Wilfred Burton, Illustrated by Hawlii Pichette, Michif translation by Irma Klyne and Larry FayantReview by Michelle ShawPublished by Thistledown Press$14.95 ISBN 9781771872744 I wasn’t surprised to discover that Kohkum’s Royal Bannock, a beautifully illustrated full colour picture book, was written by a former elementary school teacher, because it’s full of details, concepts and questions that are cleverly designed to keep young readers fully engaged with this very entertaining story. One day Xavier’s Kohkum gets a letter from the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. The letter states that the Queen will be visiting the next day and asks Kohkum to make her famous bannock and jam for the royal visitor. Startled by this news, Kohkum quickly works out that that she would need to make enough bannok for six people. So, she and Xavier go to the store to stock up on flour, baking powder and shortening. Back home, Kohkom suggests that they get a good night sleep and bake the bannok in the morning so that it is fresh. But the next morning when they get up very early, they turn the letter over and discover that there will actually be 300 guests joining the Queen! And the…

Little Big Sister: Big Little Brotherby Ashley Vercammen, Illustrated by Mario Vianni and P Aplinder KaurPublished by Home Style TeachersReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$25.00 ISBN 9781778152948 As a longtime reviewer, I’ve noted that some progressive children’s writers are publishing books that tell a good story while simultaneously addressing the subject of diversity, whether that’s through stories that highlight cultural diversity; include representations of non-traditional families (ie: same-sex partnerships); spotlight intergenerational relationships; or contain depictions of characters who are differently-abled, ie: an Autistic boy or a visually-impaired girl. I believe this to be a positive trend in the publishing industry, and these inclusive books deliver a much more accurate depiction of what contemporary Canadian schools—and society—really looks like. Saskatchewan writer and Home Style Teachers’ publisher, Ashley Vercammen, appears to have made it her mission to be inclusive in her illustrated children’s books. She writes about how motherhood can mean many different things, how “family” can also include friends from various cultures, and—in her longer illustrated book, School Readiness—what children can expect when they begin school, and how they should conduct themselves in that sometimes intimidating and/or confusing new setting. Her illustrated book Little Big Sister: Big Little Brother features adult siblings…

Sam and the Big Bridgeby Maureen Ulrich, Illustrated by Matt GonyaPublished by Flatlands PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$24.99 ISBN 9781778296529 Multi-genre writer Maureen Ulrich has released a new illustrated softcover for children, and its moving conclusion left me with a lump in my throat. The Lampman-area author is no stranger to the pen: she’s previously published the Jessie Mac Hockey Series of novels; the YA alternative history series, Winds of Change; the middle grade novel Kimeto’s Journey; and a poetry book, Something’s Different, described as “A COVID journal in verse.” When it comes to writing for young people, Ulrich clearly knows her audience. In her first children’s picture book, Sam and the Big Bridge, the former teacher-turned-author delivers a short tale about two brothers, Sam and Derek, and her initial three words set the stage for the story: “Sam was anxious.” Interestingly, Sam is the elder brother, and he’s concerned that his little brother might get hurt on the playground swing or monkey bars, or that he might leap into the swimming pool “without his waterwings,” or even fail to check for cars when he crosses a street. Sam even worries in his dreams: his mother says she’s signed the…

The Day I Went to My First Football Gameby M Larson, illustrated by FX Color StudiosPublished by M Larson Books Review by Sally Meadows$13.99 ISBN 9781778095641 When Finn’s grandparents give him a football jersey and tickets to his very first professional football game for his seventh birthday, Finn is thrilled…and a little nervous. While he and his two brothers love football, he has heard that the team has the “loudest, craziest fans.” However, that doesn’t stop Finn from soaking up all the excitement with his parents and older brother at the big city stadium. Author M (Melanie) Larson has effectively captured the exhilaration of attending an in-person major league football game for the very first time. Although the team isn’t specifically named – several professional teams wear green and white – anyone who has lived in Saskatchewan or is familiar with the Roughriders will recognize the quirkiness of their football fans, from the ubiquitous green jerseys to green hair to wearing a watermelon on their heads. The author has done a great job of showing that going to a football game is more than just watching a game: it is an immersive experience with its tailgate parties, meet and greets with…