HERE COME THE AUNTIES!

Caring adults support a Muscogee child’s development.

Things start small in this beautiful picture book from Smith (Muscogee). As River gardens with his mother, Auntie Abbie comes to help. Auntie Vicki is his second grade teacher; yet another auntie takes him fishing. When Auntie Emma stops by his class to teach a Native history lesson, River declares, “It’s a good day to be Indigenous!” and the book’s full focus emerges. Aunties, by kin and by community, accompany River in moments of celebration—powwows and weddings—and solemnity as they consider personal loss and tragedies in both Black and Native history. The tale also marks the flow of seasons, with leaf piles, quiet snowfall, and butterflies blessing River’s pregnant Mama on Mother’s Day. As River finishes the school year, these empathetic adults celebrate his achievement; when his baby sister arrives, they’re right outside the door, eager to begin the cycle of love again. Set on an Oklahoma reservation populated by Muscogee Nation citizens and other Indigenous and non-Native people, this tale feels lived-in in the best ways; well-chosen details from River’s life, in both word and image, are deeply relatable to any reader yet gloriously his own. Aphelandra’s (Oneida) auntie roster includes women of various ages, skin tones, and body type; though her painting style is lightly abstracted, each auntie is so vibrantly imagined that it feels like you might know her yourself.

A rapturous reflection on community worth holding close to one’s heart.