When the Shadbush Blooms

By Carla Messinger, Susan R. Katz, David Kanietakeron Fadden
Paperback: $11.95

A young Lenape Indian girl observes and reflects on the small, important ways her family today, and her ancestors generations before, celebrate the cycle of seasons.

Description

Today when a Lenape Indian girl ventures to the stream to fish for shad, she knows that another girl did the same generations before her. Through the cycle of the seasons, what is important has remained: being with family, knowing when berries are ripe for picking, listening to stories in a warm home. Told by Traditional Sister and Contemporary Sister, each from her own time, this is a book about tradition and about change. Then and now are not so very different when the shadbush blooms.

About the Creators

Carla Messinger

Carla J. S. Messinger, Turtle Clan Lenape, is a cultural educator and the director of Native American Heritage Programs. She lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with her husband Allan and daughter Joy. You can visit her online at lenapeprograms.info.

Susan R. Katz
Susan R. Katz

Susan Katz has written eight children’s books, including the prize-winning novel, Snowdrops for Cousin Ruth. She lives in North Wales, Pennsylvania near her grown son Demian and his family, and half a block from the local library.

David Kanietakeron Fadden

David Kanietakeron Fadden, Wolf Clan Mohawk, was born in Lake Placid, New York, and grew up in nearby Onchiota in a family of artists, naturalists, and storytellers. David’s illustrations have appeared in books, periodicals, animations, and on television. He also works as the Museum Coordinator at the Native North American Travelling College and helps run his grandfather’s museum, the Six Nations Indian Museum, during the summer months. David lives in Akwesasne, Ontario, Canada. His artwork is online at https://www.abunchofpeople.ca/david-kanietakeron-fadden-vernissag and http://www.sixnationsindianmuseum.com/contemporary.

Reviews

  • "Across double-page illustrations, two Lenape Indian families engage in similar activities -- an informational juxtaposing of the activities of a family from years past as they fish, garden, harvest and play alongside their contemporary counterparts. As the book moves from season to season, one narrative functions as the description for both side-by-side illustrations."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "A lovely, enriching offering."

    - Booklist

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781643792019
  • Publication Date May 26, 2020
  • Trim Size 9 × 10 in
  • Weight 0.375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / People & Places / United States / Native American
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Concepts / Seasons
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Family / Multigenerational
  • Themes Childhood Experiences and Memories, Cultural Diversity, Earth / Sun / Moon System, Environment / Nature, Families, Food, History & Civics, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nature / Science, Nonfiction, Sharing & Giving, Social & Emotional Learning, STEM / STEAM
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 11
  • Grade Range 3
  • Guided Reading O
  • ATOS Book Level 4.8
  • DRA 34
  • Interest Level Grades K - 6
  • Lexile Code NC
  • Lexile Level 660
  • Reading Level 3
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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