An Anishinaabe Christmas - by Wab Kinew (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A festive, joyful Indigenous picture book that explores both Christmas traditions and Anishinaabe culture."--

Book Synopsis

A CBC Bestseller!

A festive, joyful Indigenous picture book that explores both Christmas traditions and Anishinaabe culture, for fans of Santa in the City and Go Show the World.

One winter solstice, Mommy says, "Baby, we're going home to the Rez. We're going to have an Anishinaabe Christmas." But this is Baby's first Christmas away from the city, and they're worried! They have a lot of questions:

How will Santa know where to find them?

Why do we have presents on Christmas?

How come they're going home to the Rez but don't live there?

On the long trip to Mooshom's and Kookom's, Baby learns about animals being part of their family, about the North Star leading them home and even the meanings of some Anishinaabe words. Will this Anishinaabe Christmas be Baby's best yet?

Review Quotes

A CBC Books Bestseller
A 2025 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

"A heartwarming and beautifully crafted book that shares the joy of Christmas through the lens of Anishinaabe culture." --STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal

"The tender reunion with Kookom (Grandmother) and Mooshom (Grandfather) includes storytelling, sipping tea and eating bannock, singing, and giving gifts. Indigenous illustrator Hill's cartoon art brings warmth and heart to Kinew's simple narrative. . . . The sense of cultural pride and holiday joy will resonate with many young readers and their families. A sweet window into Anishinaabe Christmas traditions." --Kirkus Reviews

"The simple, meaningful story and very good illustrations make An Anishinaabe Christmas a good picture book to share with a child." --Metroland Media

"A welcome addition to the genre of holiday picture books, the colourful digital images created by Indigenous artist Erin Hill are a perfect complement to the text by award-winning Winnipeg author Wab Kinew." --Montreal Gazette

"Finding a children's book that may be identified as an instant classic is not to be taken for granted. [This] book fits that category." --Imaginary Elevators

"Wab Kinew has crafted a lovely story about a family celebrating Christmas in their traditional Anishinaabe way. Hill's digitally painted illustrations are bright and colourful and help to tell the story with pictures of family and the changing landscape that they are travelling through. The book is accessible and can be enjoyed by all who believe in the magic of Christmas." --CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"This affectionate family story introduces a few words and cultural practices of the Anishinaabe, including those around December holidays, and does a good job explaining how home can mean different things." --A Kids Book A Day

About the Author

WAB KINEW is the bestselling, award-winning author of The Everlasting Road, Walking in Two Worlds, Go Show the World and The Reason You Walk. A member of the Midewin and an Honorary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, he is a former journalist, hip-hop artist and television host who was named by Postmedia News as one of "9 Aboriginal movers and shakers you should know." Kinew lives in Winnipeg with his family.

ERIN HILL is an Indigenous artist based in Oakville, Ontario. They are a graduate from the Illustration program at Sheridan College. They're inspired by the notion of making art that's fun, and they enjoy creating illustrations and motion graphics while also having an interest in animation and storyboarding.