Nibi’s Water Song

By Sunshine Tenasco, Chief Lady Bird
Hardcover: $19.95

This bright and vivacious book from two Native creators celebrates the energy, moxie, and determination of water activists of all ages.

Description

When Nibi, an Indigenous girl, turns the tap in her house, only mucky brown water comes out. That starts her on a search for clean water to drink. Though she must face polluted rivers, unfriendly neighbors, and her own temporary discouragement, Nibi’s joyful energy becomes a catalyst for change and action as her community rallies around her to make clean drinking water available for all.

The hopeful tone and lively read-aloud quality of the text open the door to conversations and action with young children, while the distinctive, delightful artwork conveys the themes of vitality, resistance, and resilience. The word “Nibi” means “water” in the Anishinaabe language, and Nibi’s Water Song is as refreshing and revitalizing as its protagonist’s name.

About the Creators

Sunshine Tenasco headshot: brown-skinned Native woman with long, black hair and long earrings in front of brick wall.
Sunshine Tenasco

Sunshine Tenasco is Anishinaabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec, Canada. She is a mom of four kids and a clean water activist. A portion of the profits from her handmade beadwork pendants go to a foundation that strives for a better environment for all. She also conducts workshops where she teaches beadwork and talks about the realities Indigenous people face in Canada, particularly around water access. Nibi’s Water Song is her first book. Visit her website at herbraids.com.

Chief Lady Bird headshot: light-skinned native woman wearing brown beanie, glassess, "Land Back" earrings, and two braided pigtails.
Chief Lady Bird

Chief Lady Bird is a Chippewa and Potawatomi artist from Rama First Nation and Moose Deer Point First Nation. The first artist to create an emoji for Twitter for Indigenous Peoples Day/Indigenous History Month, she uses digital illustration, mixed-media work, street art/murals, and community-based workshops to center contemporary truths and envision Indigenous Futurisms. You can find her online as @chiefladybird.

Awards

  • CCBC Choices

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Reviews

  • "Tenasco writes openly and honestly about the unequal treatment of Indigenous communities. . . Nibi's song conveys the powerful message that clean water is a basic human right that should be afforded to everyone regardless of their ethnicity. The book successfully functions as a catalyst for an important conversation between parents and children. Yet, despite the subject matter, the text remains age-appropriate."

    - Quill and Quire
  • "One gutsy girl leads the way."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "The compelling narrative with its accompanying illustrations explains the fight for clean water in simple and relatable terms, making this a great first purchase."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Nibi's arc educates readers about the lack of potable water in many Indigenous communities while encouraging children to speak out about conservation issues."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • "Astute readers will easily draw connections to the news headlines about the Dakota Access Pipeline protests by the Standing Rock Sioux."

    - The Horn Book
  • "A good introduction to this under-reported injustice."

    - Booklist

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781643794822
  • Price $19.95
  • Publication Date Oct 12, 2021
  • Trim Size 9 × 9 in
  • Weight 0.8125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Science & Nature / Environment
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Politics & Government
  • Themes Collaboration, Courage, Environment / Nature, Fiction, Human Impact On Environment / Environmental Sustainability, Imagination, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Leadership, Neighbors, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Protest, Realistic Fiction, Sharing & Giving, STEM / STEAM, Water
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 3 - 6
  • Grade Range Grades PreK - 2
  • Guided Reading M
  • DRA 28
  • Interest Level Grades PreK - 2
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 520
  • Lexile Measurement AD520L
  • Reading Recovery Intervention 20
  • Reading Level 2
  • Bebop Reading Early Fluent
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