Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh: This is How I Know Review

Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanah

This is How I Know

Written by Brittany Luby

Illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

Translated by Alvin Ted Corbiere and Alan Corbiere

Bibliography

Luby, B. (2021). Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh: This is how I know (J.M. Pawis-Steckley, Illus.). (A. Corbier and A.T. Corbiere, Trans.). Groundwood Books.

Summary

This is a book of seasons. There are 20 poems that answer our narrator's question, "How will I know summer [fall/winter/spring] is here?," taking the reader on a journey through the year as nature changes. The book is visually appealing with bold colors and graphic lines, borrowing a First Nation's artistic aesthetic. It is bilingual, utilizing English and Yaan'kinootngig and miiwa. There is no differentiation between these last two First Nation languages, they seem used in combination with each other. Back matter includes the contributors' ancestries, detailing their Nation affiliation.

Analysis

The illustrations and translations elevate the poetry in this book. Readers will find the juxtaposition of languages interesting. Without these, the poetry is a bit lackluster. Pawis-Steckley's illustrations are graphic and bold, fitting the First Nation language. They are visually pleasing. I particularly like the geometric lines. It propels the reader from page to page. Luby uses the occasional figurative language. On page 14, the assonance, "clouds" and "form" and internal rhyme of "fewer and bluer" are satisfying to read aloud.

Highlighted Poem

Page 17 is the best example of illustration and text merging to satisfy and invest the reader.

The text reads:

"When I whistle to Blue Jay,

too-wheedle too-wheedle,

and lay seeds for red-capped Woodpecker."

The geometric lines in the blue jay, dog, and the girl's jacket are bold and pop on the page. The "too-wheedle" is a new onomatopoeic word to me. I found it delightful and could immediately imagine the sound of the jay.

Use

Students will read the book We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga. It is a seasonal book that also takes the reader through the natural changes throughout a year. It is told from the point of view of the Cherokee people of the United States, including Cherokee language. Students will compare and contrast the two books.