THE ANIMALS SPEAK

A stunningly illustrated tale that does double duty as a primer on animal names and guidance on how to lead a good life.

Focusing on the profound connection between people and the natural world, Nelson (Hunkpapa Lakota) speaks lovingly to the ancestral knowledge we can glean from “the wild ones,” from “the Four-Leggeds and the Winged beings” to “the little Creepy-crawlies, the Water beings, and the Green, Growing Things.” Raven teaches us “to LISTEN and MAKE WISE CHOICES”; Mother Bear shows us how to “walk with STRENGTH and PROTECT those who are smaller and weaker.” Playful Otter shows us that “SMILES and LAUGHTER are good for our hearts.” Other creatures bring peril: Nelson warns readers not to be led astray by trickster Coyote’s jokes and to avoid Spider’s sticky web (“He reminds us that there may be DANGERS on the path ahead”). Clear, succinct text lists the Lakota name for each creature while acknowledging our unique relationship with the animal world. Nelson’s simple rhythmic words pair brilliantly with his muted, impressionistic illustrations, which rely on crayonlike shading and expressive shapes, lines, and color. Bold and eye-catching, his compositions are rife with details to reward careful readers. His joyful work preserves Lakota language for young people while planting seeds of kindness and empathy. Goodhouse (Standing Rock Sioux) provides the translation for the Lakota words used throughout.

A masterful must-read for young readers navigating their world.