MII Maanda Ezhi-Gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know - by Brittany Luby (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In this lyrical story-poem, written in Anishinaabemowin and English, a child and grandmother explore their surroundings, taking pleasure in the familiar sights that each new season brings. We accompany them through warm summer days full of wildflowers, bees and blueberries, then fall, when bears feast before hibernation and forest mushrooms are ripe for harvest. Winter mornings begin in darkness as deer, mice and other animals search for food, while spring brings green shoots poking through melting snow and the chirping of peepers."--

Book Synopsis

An Anishinaabe child and her grandmother explore the natural wonders of each season in this lyrical, bilingual story-poem.

In this lyrical story-poem, written in Anishinaabemowin and English, a child and grandmother explore their surroundings, taking pleasure in the familiar sights that each new season brings.

We accompany them through warm summer days full of wildflowers, bees and blueberries, then fall, when bears feast before hibernation and forest mushrooms are ripe for harvest. Winter mornings begin in darkness as deer, mice and other animals search for food, while spring brings green shoots poking through melting snow and the chirping of peepers.

Brittany Luby and Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley have created a book inspired by childhood memories of time spent with Knowledge Keepers, observing and living in relationship with the natural world in the place they call home -- the northern reaches of Anishinaabewaking, around the Great Lakes.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

Review Quotes

[H]ighly recommended for being a simple and charming tool to teach and learn about various forms of Indigenous knowledge: language, artwork, and traditional ways of learning and knowing.

-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

[A] triumph of art, literal and graphic.

-- "CanLit for Little Canadians Blog"

[B]oth a celebration of the seasons and a close look at the natural world.

-- "Globe & Mail"

[D]istinct, clean lines and appealing use of colour.

-- "Postmedia"

A powerful story that models how to build love and respect for the land and environment.

-- "Toronto Star"

A warmhearted depiction of the seasons and intergenerational closeness.

-- "Horn Book"

Aimed at younger readers but a pleasant read for anyone.

-- "Windspeaker"

Brittany Luby's (Anishinaabe) exceptional text is perfectly complemented by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley's (Ojibwe) gorgeous art.

-- "Cooperative Children's Book Center"

Highly recommended for home, school and public libraries as a lovely story, but also as an introduction to Indigenous worldview and the Anishinaabemowin language.

-- "Canadian Children's Book News"

In this lyrical, bilingual story, a grandmother's knowledge reveals wonders.

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Inviting readers into a beloved locale, this book is recommended for all picture book collections, especially those seeking more titles highlighting Indigenous people, their languages, and their artwork. STARRED REVIEW

-- "School Library Journal"

Luby subtly shows that asking how a child knows a season has changed ... creates a more personalized, meaningful learning experience. STARRED REVIEW

-- "Quill & Quire"

The story reveals the love they have for nature and for each other.

-- "Calgary Herald"