YOU ARE THE LAND

A Native girl grows, nurtured by her family—and by the land.

As a baby, the protagonist is embraced by her grandmother (“her petals wrap around me and keep me safe”), who “teaches her to be strong like the branches of an ancient cedar tree.” As she learns to talk, her grandfather (“like an ocean”) teaches her to be “courageous like a thunderous waterfall.” As she learns to walk, her mother (“like a valley”) shows her how to be “gentle like a warm spring day” and instills in her an appreciation for the hills (“your relatives”) and the Earth (“our mother”). And when she begins to run, her father (“like the sun”) teaches her to “dream big and shine like a brilliant rainbow.” As they sing to her, the family emphasizes that her connection brings with it a duty to serve as a place keeper, a guardian of the Earth. Littlebird (Oregon’s Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) weaves together multiple themes; this is simultaneously a story of intergenerational bonds, a tale of growing up and building self-confidence, and an appreciation of our planet and its resources. Relying on daring colors that resemble those seen in nature and in powwow regalia, Littlebird’s sweeping illustrations pair with invigorating text; soaring butterflies, birds, and bees crisscross the pages, uniting the girl with the land.

A powerful look at Indigenous identity and a loving reminder that “everyone can be a place keeper.”