We All Play
kimêtawânaw
by Julie Flett
Greystone Kids, 2021. 40 pages.
Review written May 29, 2021, from a library book
Starred Review
We All Play: kimêtawânaw is exactly the kind of book I try to find for Baby Storytime: Just a few words per page, plus images of children and animals on the pages.
The pictures are animals playing. Here’s the first verse, covering several pages:
Animals hide
and hop [Little rabbits on this spread]and sniff
and sneak [Little foxes]and peek
and peep [Little owls]We play too!
kimêtawânaw mîna [Now there are children]
That’s the pattern for three verses, and then in the final verse, the animals go to sleep, and we do, too.
The language being used is Plains Cree, and there are only a few words in the text, but I like the chart at the back. It’s got all thirteen animals that appear in the book, as well as “child” and “baby” and gives the Cree words for One, More than One, and for “Younger, Smaller, Cuter.” There’s also a pronunciation guide at the back, so if I use this in story time, I’ll be able to say the Cree words in the text.
I love Julie Flett’s art! It’s quiet and calming, with subdued colors, but the children and animals playing do convey joy.
This book is simple, and it’s playful and lovely, with lots of room for talking with your little one about what they see – and then playing!
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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