Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome - by Nancy Cooper (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Today, Amik is expecting her beaver cousins for a special visit, and she can't wait to show them her home. But as the visitors arrive, Amik suddenly realizes that her little sister, Nishiime, has disappeared. Where could she have gone? As Amik shows her cousins some of her favorite haunts, the reader also learns how beavers help all the other animals in the forest: they cut down poplar trees so deer have easier access to the leaves, they create canals in streambeds that fish need to swim in during the winter months, and they build dams that form shallow pools for otters to swim in with their babies. Along the way, each animal shows its gratitude by saying "Meegwetch" (thank you) to Amik. Meanwhile, Nishiime, who can be seen hiding in the illustrations throughout the story, finally appears, explaining that she was feeling scared and shy about meeting other beavers from far away. It doesn't take long until Nishiime is comfortable with her cousins, asking many questions and planning how she will one day visit them."--

Book Synopsis

Busy beavers have a family reunion in this story that celebrates Indigenous perspectives

It's a special day for Amik the beaver and her little sister, Nishiime. Their cousins are coming to visit! Amik is excited, but Nishiime feels nervous about meeting new people, and when the cousins finally arrive, Nishiime disappears.

Lively, immersive illustrations show Amik and her cousins as they search the woods for Nishiime. Each creature they encounter, introduced to readers using their Anishinaabe names, reveals how beavers help the forest community. A fish thanks them for digging canals in the mud that they swim through. A deer thanks the beavers for cutting down trees so they can reach the tastiest leaves. None of the creatures have seen Nishiime, but keen-eyed kids will have spotted her hiding in the background throughout the story.

Eventually, Nishiime returns to the group, having overcome her shyness by learning an important lesson: despite being from different places, the beavers are all united by the ways they support the forest ecosystem. With the perfect blend of fact and fun, this salute to the industrious beaver is also an energetic celebration of Indigenous perspectives, languages, and diversity.

Review Quotes

"Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome can be an asset in several areas of the primary curriculum. I hope teachers and librarians will follow the example of my favorite library and get a copy--or more than one--for the bookshelves."

-- "American Indians in Children's Literature"

"A sweet educational story about family and nature embedded in several Nations' traditions."

-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

"A vibrant work laden with messages, from accepting differences to fostering respect for the natural world."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"In a story about diversity and acceptance of differences, Nancy Cooper also reminds us of the interrelationship of living things ... Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome is a fresh picture book in language and art, and its messages about acceptance and gratitude will make it a welcome addition to any bookshelf."

-- "CanLit for Little Canadians"

"The illustrations provide joyful scenes of the beavers' gathering, giving each one a personality and style. Crayon bright and full of small lessons of hospitality, vocabulary, and adventure, this sweet story belongs on family shelves as well as among Indigenous collections."

-- "School Library Journal"