My son is getting to that age where he asks for books by name. I attempt to counter with books actually written by Indigenous children's author's. I only read this book with my children now, with whom I can have long and repeated conversations about the problems. I try to replicate the suggestions made by teachers in Alaska who are of different cultures I point out the problems in the illustrations and talk about the problem of white people telling Indigenous stories. I feel angry at the publishers who tried to market it as an Indigenous book when published I am angry at myself for believing them (until the internet emerged and I did an MLIS and could research things.) I no longer believe the publisher's early implied claims, needless to say.

Reviews I've read by Indigenous teachers say they read the book with their students and point out the problems in the illustrations (multiple Indigenous cultures are represented in one character and imagery is inconsistently applied.)Īs a settler myself, I have strong misgivings about this book. It was fact-checked by University of Montréal. The publisher clearly knew the identities of the two creators was problematic. The illustrator is not only not Indigenous but taught at a residential school (she calls it a boarding school, as white settlers complicit in cultural genocide do.) The narrative is gorgeous and playful I've read it to children in library storytimes and to my own children. I bought this book after first encountering it at the library, where I worked when I was an undergrad student. Families interested in different cultures.Includes a carefully researched glossary provides additional information on Arctic lifeįans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Goodnight Moon, and Guess How Much I Love You will love this book.Set in a captivating and unusual Arctic setting.

This tender and reassuring book is one that both parents and children will turn to again and again. The story is beautifully complemented by graphically stunning illustrations that are filled with such exciting animals as whales, wolves, puffins, and sled dogs. The lyrical text introduces young readers to a distinctively different culture, while at the same time showing that the special love that exists between parent and child transcends all boundaries of time and place. In this universal story, a child tests the limits of independence and comfortingly learns that a parent's love is unconditional and everlasting. Mama, do you love me? Yes I do, Dear One.

Mama do you love me by barbara m joosse