Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Muskwa's Tipi Tales - by Azby Whitecalf

Book Synopsis

Continue to celebrate Cree culture and being true to yourself in the second book in this vibrant new early chapter book series!

Sarah has spent the best summer visiting Kohkom and her best friend Eden in her home community, but it's almost time to return to the city and back to school. Eden has been acting odd and distant the past few days, and Sarah can't quite figure out why: when she finds a tipi surprise in Kohkom's backyard that Eden has been keeping a secret, Sarah figures that must be the reason!

But as the girls prepare for one last sleepover of the summer, Sarah continues to feel butterflies growing in her tummy when she hears Eden speaking Cree. Eden knows so much more about the language and their culture than Sarah; could that be what's creating distance between them? As the night goes on, a magical visit from Maskwa reminds the girls that their differences and their culture is what makes their friendship so special.

Sita MacMillan continues to explore topsy-turvy feelings of growing up as a young Indigenous person living away from their community, with magical illustrations from Azby Whitecalf that transport the reader into the forest once again with Sarah Ponakey.

Watch for Book 3, coming in Fall 2025!

About the Author

SITA MACMILLAN is a registered member of Zagime Anishinabek and is of mixed Cree and Scottish background. She has an Indigenous education degree and a masters in language and literacy education. She has taught in the K-12 classroom as well as a writing instructor at the college level prior to becoming a mother to three daughters. It was during early motherhood Sita struggled to find children's books based on urban Indigenous living. This became the inspiration for her debut children's book series, Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher. She lives with her family in Prince Edward Island.

AZBY WHITECALF is a Plains Cree illustrator and character designer. Whitecalf is a graduate of AUArts, majoring in illustration with a bachelor's degree in design and is the illustrator of Buffalo Wild! They have a fondness for fantasy stories, whimsical tales, and vibrant characters. They live in Saskatchewan.