Review by Deborah K Frontiera
Having reviewed Julie Buchholtz’s first book, Who Am I, some months back, I was happy to receive her latest, Mama’s Song. This lovely story helps young children understand the Seven Grandfather Teachings of the Anishinaabe people: wisdom, love, respect, courage, honesty, humility and truth. The words for these are stated in both English and Anishinaabe along with a handy pronunciation guide. Anishinaabe is actually a group of Native American People which includes Ojibway, Chippewa, Odawa and others who branched out from that stem culture.
A new mother cradles her baby and begins to sing so that “her love ran like the river.” Each of the Seven Grandfathers is represented by an animal: the wise beaver, the loving eagle, respectful buffalo, courageous bear, honest Bigfoot, humble wolf, and truthful turtle. The new mother also remembers her own mother singing the same song to her, demonstrating how this knowledge is passed from one generation to the next. While reading the words out loud, there is a feeling of rhythm and flow like water, quiet and smooth but moving along life’s journey.
The illustrations are full of color and nature and express the same flow across the pages, footprints along a path and water flowing in a river, through a marsh (with the beavers) looking down on the river (with the eagle) … Down a rapids and waterfall (with the bear) … Until the end when Mama says, “On your journey, my little one—let our sacred teachings guide you. Walk the footsteps of our ancestors and you will live the good life.”
Two pages at the end of the story give further information for parents, grandparents, teachers, and other adults concerning the seven teachings, along with thanks to Autumn Pavlat for checking the content of the book for cultural accuracy. Readers not only know they are receiving good information, and in the loveliest of ways, but that it is also the right information. Overall, this book Mama’s Song is a great addition any home, school, or library.
Mama’s Song
By Julie Buchholtz, illustrated by Faryn Hughes
ISBN 978-1-53411-345-9, Sleeping Bear Press, Ann Arbor MI 2026, Ret. $27.99 hardback with jacket
