A beautifully written and illustrated picture book by an Indigenous author and illustrator duo who take inspiration from their Nation's beliefs. The author's Nation, the Inniniwak--People of the Stars--believe that babies choose their parents and arrive with their own gifts. The story follows an expectant mother gathering sacred items for her child before they arrive. Each item has a specific meaning and the gorgeous art connects the words with a mesmerizing display of the culture, land, and spiritual meaning.Publisher's description
This unique baby book sings with Native cultural detail, while striking a universal chord in its celebration of the blossoming of love that comes with expecting and welcoming a new baby--with art by New York Times bestselling illustrator and Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade. As she waits for the arrival of her new baby, a mother-to-be gathers gifts to create a sacred bundle. A white feather, cedar and sage, a stone from the river . . .Each addition to the bundle will offer the new baby strength and connection to tradition, family, and community. As they grow together, mother and baby will each have gifts to offer each other. Tasha Spillett-Sumner and Michaela Goade, two Indigenous creators, bring beautiful words and luminous art together in a resonant celebration of the bond between mother and child.