I got this hardcover at local independent bookstore Balin Books. It's a look at the 1621 harvest feast celebrated by the English colonists and the Wampanoag native people, told from the viewpoint of the latter. (The authors are from three different tribes: Wampanoag, Chicasaw, and Yu'pik and Unangan, and the illustrator is Anishinaabe.)

The book includes a glossary of terms, from "keepunumuk" ("time of harvest") and "weeâchumun" ("corn"), and has some explanatory text up front and bonus material at the end, including a recipe for traditional Wampanoag nasamp.

The story itself, a new version from the perspective of the indigenous peoples, follows two modern-day Wampanoag children and their grandmother as they gather ingredients for their feast - and the grandmother describes the historic feast with the Pilgrim colonists. The corn spirit Weeâchumun asks the Fox to watch the newcomers while Weeâchumun sleeps over the winter, seeing their struggles. In spring, Weeâchumun and her sisters Squash and Beans learn that the newcomers have taken Weeâchumun's seeds but can't get them to grow. After some debate, the spirits and the animals agree to try and help the newcomers, and send dreams to the First People to urge them to give aid. And so they do, though as the text points out, while "many Americans call it a day of thanksgiving," "many of our people call it a day of mourning."

The artwork is lovely, and the story thoughtful.

I left this book in this roomy Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

Released for:

** 2024 Thanksgiving challenge. **