 In 1845, The Potato Famine devastates Ireland. More than a million Irish people die from starvation and disease, and another two million emigrate to Canada, the U.S., and Britain. In 1847, the Choctaw people in America are still healing from their hardships on the Trail of Tears. They collect money to donate to the struggling Irish people. In 2017, seven generations later, the Irish build a statue to remember their connection to the Choctaw Nation. It is the shape of twenty-foot-tall eagle feathers in a bowl. In 2000, in the American Southwest, the Navajo and Hopi Nations are greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Irish people remember the Choctaws’ kindness, and they pay it forward by donating over three million dollars to the members of the Navajo and Hopi Nations. The money was given by many ancestors who received the gift that the Choctaws gave to Ireland during the Potato Famine. Today and always, the four nations are unified by the empathy they have learned from hardship. They pass generosity and compassion as kindred spirits. Enchanting acrylic on canvas illustrations further distinguish this inspiring book. Back matter includes author’s and illustrator’s notes, historical information about the Trail of Tears and the Irish Potato Famine, more information on the nations today, a very helpful timeline, a glossary, and suggestions for learning more. mjw |
| Title: Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa Author: Leslie Stall Widener Illustrator: Johnson Yazzle Publisher: Charlesbridge. Watertown, MA Copyright: 2024 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-62354-396-9 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: Ireland and U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Author’s residence: McKinney, Texas Illustrator’s ethnicity: Navajo Nation in Pinon, Arizona Illustrator’s residence: Pinon, Arizona Subjects: Choctaw Indians, COVID-19, Emigration, Famine, Hopi Indians. Ireland, Navajo Indians, Potatoes, Trail of Tears |
Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa
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Narrated by a young refugee, this beautiful and realistic picture book tells about having to leave home and the healing power of hope. The girl and her mother used to live in an apartment with a star-shaped lamp in their window. In their new country, everything is different – the language, their apartment, and the food. One day, the mother brings home art supplies so that they can make a cardboard star just like the one they had back home. That helps to make their new place feel a little more like home. The penultimate page shows the girl with a new friend, both carrying their musical instruments. The mostly blue and yellow illustrations were created with hand drawn contours and Photoshop. An author’s note explains that the book was inspired by Desnitskaya’s experience leaving Russia after the start of the Ukraine War. It is the author’s hope that his book can help children from different countries who have lost their homes to start loving the place where they were forced to be. 
Rumi (1207-1273) was a poet, an Islamic scholar, and a Sufi mystic. He wrote in Persian/Farsi. He is one of the best-known and most widely-read poets in the world. As a child, he was enchanted by birds and books. He loved to play and dance in the garden. He had many questions, which his father answered patiently. When Rumi was older, he met Attar the great Persian poet. He read Attar’s epic poem called “The Conference of Birds” and searched for its deeper meaning. Years, later, Rumi moved to Turkey, where he met Shams, who was a great Persian spiritual teacher. Shams was a sun shining in Rumi’s heart and mind. Later, Rumi wrote his poetic masterpiece, “The Masnavi.” He also loved telling stories to children. “Be a friend to everyone” was his great message. This touching picture book biography radiates Rumi’s wisdom and warmth. Strong colors and ornamental details in the glorious illustrations feature traditional Persian clothing and motifs and distinguish the story. Back matter includes an author’s note and more information about Rumi. mjw
In the pueblo of Palenque in Colombia at the turn of the 21st century, hardly anyone knows how to read or write. The young female narrator of the story is curious about the letters her older sister receives in the mail from her doctor friend. She hopes that they are love letters. Senor Velandia, the shop owner, is one of the few in the pueblo who can read. He helps the girl to read if she will help him in his shop. Slowly she learns the alphabet by writing letters on the ground with a piece of charcoal. She teaches the other children of the pueblo to read the letters with her and discover the magic of reading. The digital, richly colored, textured illustrations depict the Afro-Latine community. An author’s note explains the history of enslaved people in Central and South America, who were forbidden to read by the colonizing Spaniards. This story is woven together from the stories the author heard from various women across Colombia. mjw
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