We Are Water Protectors will be another book that will get people talking about the situation presented. Perhaps it will not be as popular as
others, but this book deals with Native American and environmental issues that are relative to the current environment we live in. While it is based on the Carole Lindstrom’s experiences growing up and the contemporary events of the peoples; it is a book that is for everyone. It shows what one group of people are trying to do. This is about what their heritage, legends and stories tell them is right, but they also do it because it is the right thing to do period. But this is not just an issue for the Native populations, this is an issue for everyone to be concerned about, aware of and should want to fix.
Lindstrom shows the reader the story of her people through one piece of their culture. This is what the water means to them, what it means to keeping the balance of world in check. She also shows how the water affects all of us. The afterwards by author and illustrator perhaps were my favorite part. There is a lot given you do not get in the story itself. This is not to say the story is bad or lacking, the afterwards complements and adds to what was already given in a wonderful way.
The amazing detailed and colorful, expressive illustrations of Michael Goade are the icing on the cake, or in this case the story. They are a story in themselves and compliment the text at the same time. They are realistic and fantastical, they have strong colors, lines, format. To call them good is an understatement.
Best suited for older (5 to 8) but most can get something out of it.
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