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Nickommoh!: A Thanksgiving Celebration
Called Nickommoh, the Narragansett people gather for a joyful harvest celebration as it has been performed since before the arrival of the first Pilgrims in New England. A glossary and author's note traces the connection between Nickommoh and the "first" Thanksgiving. Color illustrations throughout.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Jackie French Koller
50 books27 followersJackie French Koller (born 1948) is an American author of picture books, chapter books, and novels for children and young adults. She lives and writes in western Massachusetts.
Koller is also an accomplished painter. Her interest in art inspired her to open The Little Black Dog Gallery in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Koller's young-adult novel If I Had One Wish was adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie under the title You Wish!.
Koller is also an accomplished painter. Her interest in art inspired her to open The Little Black Dog Gallery in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Koller's young-adult novel If I Had One Wish was adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie under the title You Wish!.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 1, 2009
The first thing I did, as I started reading, was to check for a glossary in the back of the book. Thankfully not only was one there, but in addition to defining the Narragansett Native American words, history and background about the words are also provided.
I loved the illustrations (rendered in scratchboard and gouache) in this book. The style and colors are beautiful and the images perfectly enhance the story. I very much enjoyed every single illustration and took a lot of time to look at them.
I put this on my non-fiction shelf because it really is a history book. There are no specific fictional characters or anything that makes it fiction.
This is the story of a Nickommoh, a gathering in which to celebrate. This is one that could correspond to how the first European Americans celebrated their first Thanksgiving in America, and this particular one is one that celebrates the harvest. The Native Americans had not one but thirteen such gatherings every year. Some were relatively small and some were huge. This books shows how the people prepared for and celebrated such a gathering.
The story doesn't really flow; it's more informational, although there is some catchy repetition.
One thing I learned was that the European term “red man” probably did not refer to the Native American skin tones but to the favored color of paint they used for decoration on their bodies.
The thing I learned that touched me the most was that the word Nickommoh actually means give away or exchange. At these gatherings people would give away anything of theirs that was extra; they’d give to widows and orphans and others in need, and the more someone gave away, the more they were respected. I’d love for that tenet to make its way back into our culture!
There’s an informative author’s note in the back, along with that all important glossary.
The author dedicated this book to a member of the Narrasansett people and to her tribe, who reside and resided in present day Rhode Island. She also gives thanks to a/the Tribal Historian of the Narragansett Indian Tribe for the knowledge she acquired that enabled her to write this book.
This is an excellent addition to books for kids for Thanksgiving, but it can be enjoyed and appreciated year round.
I feel grateful to Goodreads friend Kathryn who brought this book to my attention and to Goodreads friend Chandra who brought this book to Kathryn’s attention.
I loved the illustrations (rendered in scratchboard and gouache) in this book. The style and colors are beautiful and the images perfectly enhance the story. I very much enjoyed every single illustration and took a lot of time to look at them.
I put this on my non-fiction shelf because it really is a history book. There are no specific fictional characters or anything that makes it fiction.
This is the story of a Nickommoh, a gathering in which to celebrate. This is one that could correspond to how the first European Americans celebrated their first Thanksgiving in America, and this particular one is one that celebrates the harvest. The Native Americans had not one but thirteen such gatherings every year. Some were relatively small and some were huge. This books shows how the people prepared for and celebrated such a gathering.
The story doesn't really flow; it's more informational, although there is some catchy repetition.
One thing I learned was that the European term “red man” probably did not refer to the Native American skin tones but to the favored color of paint they used for decoration on their bodies.
The thing I learned that touched me the most was that the word Nickommoh actually means give away or exchange. At these gatherings people would give away anything of theirs that was extra; they’d give to widows and orphans and others in need, and the more someone gave away, the more they were respected. I’d love for that tenet to make its way back into our culture!
There’s an informative author’s note in the back, along with that all important glossary.
The author dedicated this book to a member of the Narrasansett people and to her tribe, who reside and resided in present day Rhode Island. She also gives thanks to a/the Tribal Historian of the Narragansett Indian Tribe for the knowledge she acquired that enabled her to write this book.
This is an excellent addition to books for kids for Thanksgiving, but it can be enjoyed and appreciated year round.
I feel grateful to Goodreads friend Kathryn who brought this book to my attention and to Goodreads friend Chandra who brought this book to Kathryn’s attention.
November 25, 2009
I really enjoyed this story about one of the Thanksgiving celebrations of the Rhode Island Native Americans. It would make a rich and heartfelt accompaniment to the pilgrim-based or modern Thanksgiving picture books.
The Author's Note in the back is especially memorable as it explains, "Long before the first pilgrim set foot in the New World, Native Americans were celebrating rites of Thanksgiving--thirteen a year, in fact, one for each lunar month... The largest Nickommohs were usually held in the fall to celebrate the harvest..." Thousands of people from various villages would come together to celebrate together. ("Nickommoh was the name given to these celebrations by the Narragansett Indian Tribe of present-day Rhode Island.")
I love the concept and wish present-day Americans could come together and be thankful together thirteen times a year rather than having just one crazy-busy Thanksgiving holiday followed by shop-till-you-drop or hurry-up-for-Christmas!
The Author's Note in the back is especially memorable as it explains, "Long before the first pilgrim set foot in the New World, Native Americans were celebrating rites of Thanksgiving--thirteen a year, in fact, one for each lunar month... The largest Nickommohs were usually held in the fall to celebrate the harvest..." Thousands of people from various villages would come together to celebrate together. ("Nickommoh was the name given to these celebrations by the Narragansett Indian Tribe of present-day Rhode Island.")
I love the concept and wish present-day Americans could come together and be thankful together thirteen times a year rather than having just one crazy-busy Thanksgiving holiday followed by shop-till-you-drop or hurry-up-for-Christmas!
November 2, 2018
I simply love Jackie French Koller's Dragonling chapter-books, as well as her longer historical novel,
The Primrose Way
, so when my online friends began raving about this Narragansett Thanksgiving title, I knew that I had to give it a try! Nickommoh (a Narragansett word for a celebratory gathering) is a tale, in the broadest sense of the word, of a pre-Columbian harvest celebration amongst the Narragansett, and describes the activities - from games to sweat-lodges - that participants might have engaged in, during such a gathering.
Koller credits Dr. Ella Sekatau, the Tribal Ethnohistorian of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, as an adviser, and uses many Narragansett words (all glossed at the rear) in her narrative. The result is a book that is most informative, although it doesn't really present a story, so much as an extended description. Still, I appreciated the information contained in both text and brief afterword - where Koller makes the point that the first Thanksgiving would have looked much more like a Nickommoh celebration, than our modern holiday - and found the artwork, done with scratchboard and gouache, quite interesting.
Although I do celebrate modern Thanksgiving with my family, I tend to make less of a "fuss" about it, than some other holidays. That said, this is one of a handful of titles I might choose to give to a child, at this time of year.
Koller credits Dr. Ella Sekatau, the Tribal Ethnohistorian of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, as an adviser, and uses many Narragansett words (all glossed at the rear) in her narrative. The result is a book that is most informative, although it doesn't really present a story, so much as an extended description. Still, I appreciated the information contained in both text and brief afterword - where Koller makes the point that the first Thanksgiving would have looked much more like a Nickommoh celebration, than our modern holiday - and found the artwork, done with scratchboard and gouache, quite interesting.
Although I do celebrate modern Thanksgiving with my family, I tend to make less of a "fuss" about it, than some other holidays. That said, this is one of a handful of titles I might choose to give to a child, at this time of year.
November 21, 2018
This books describes a typical Narragansett Indian harvest celebration prior to the arrival of the Plymouth Colony settlers in 1620.
I was eager to read this because you can't throw a stick around here without running into a Narragansett name or just Narragansett (which is a beach town, a beer and a shopping plaza to name a few). I've been to some pow-wows and seen people of Narragansett descent. The author is not Narragansett but worked with the Narragansett to write this little book.
The story is told simply through what is almost poetry. The sentences are short and sprinkles with Narragansett words (spellings taken from A key into the language of America possibly the only written source of Narragansett language. There's plenty of action here for young readers. The people come from far and near to harvest the food, fix the shelter and celebrate with joy. They give thanks to the Creator for a successful harvest.
The illustrator is also not Narragansett but as I mentioned, they're still alive and thriving. I'm not super crazy about the illustrations. I think the illustrator was going for a rustic, non-European look. I'm not sure the simple, flat illustrations in earth tones appeal to young readers.
This book includes an author's note and glossary. I highly recommend this to ADULTS and older children interested in New England native culture.
I was eager to read this because you can't throw a stick around here without running into a Narragansett name or just Narragansett (which is a beach town, a beer and a shopping plaza to name a few). I've been to some pow-wows and seen people of Narragansett descent. The author is not Narragansett but worked with the Narragansett to write this little book.
The story is told simply through what is almost poetry. The sentences are short and sprinkles with Narragansett words (spellings taken from A key into the language of America possibly the only written source of Narragansett language. There's plenty of action here for young readers. The people come from far and near to harvest the food, fix the shelter and celebrate with joy. They give thanks to the Creator for a successful harvest.
The illustrator is also not Narragansett but as I mentioned, they're still alive and thriving. I'm not super crazy about the illustrations. I think the illustrator was going for a rustic, non-European look. I'm not sure the simple, flat illustrations in earth tones appeal to young readers.
This book includes an author's note and glossary. I highly recommend this to ADULTS and older children interested in New England native culture.
November 26, 2021
Long before the first Pilgrim set foot in the New World, Native Americans were celebrating rites of thanksgiving . . .
Koller presents a fascinating look at one Narragansett celebration, where families gather, perform rituals, and feast. Marcia Sewall's earth-toned illustrations give the book an unusual look.
Includes a glossary, and a very interesting author's note at the end.
Koller presents a fascinating look at one Narragansett celebration, where families gather, perform rituals, and feast. Marcia Sewall's earth-toned illustrations give the book an unusual look.
Includes a glossary, and a very interesting author's note at the end.
August 4, 2015
Really enjoyed this description of the Narragansett harvest celebration which may have contributed to the first Thanksgiving. In poetic language with a nice rhythm to it, the book describes the traditional celebration. My young child likes the repeated "Nickommoh!" on every page. Fabulous illustrations.
I wished for:
- a pronunciation guide (glossary is great but no idea if I'm saying things correctly!)
- an explicit connection to the first Thanksgiving celebration. This book is really great in its own right, so maybe it's unfair to ask for this (does every book really have to have something about white people?) but at the same time it is billed as a Thanksgiving-related book and I was hoping to use it to round out my child's understanding of the holiday's history. Since there wasn't much of an explicit connection I felt she enjoyed the book but didn't relate it to the holiday at all.
I wished for:
- a pronunciation guide (glossary is great but no idea if I'm saying things correctly!)
- an explicit connection to the first Thanksgiving celebration. This book is really great in its own right, so maybe it's unfair to ask for this (does every book really have to have something about white people?) but at the same time it is billed as a Thanksgiving-related book and I was hoping to use it to round out my child's understanding of the holiday's history. Since there wasn't much of an explicit connection I felt she enjoyed the book but didn't relate it to the holiday at all.
May 22, 2013
This was an entertaining and educational book about the Native American harvest celebration Nickommoh; a celebration that was going on long before the Pilgrims landed. A wonderful look into a culture from the past that even today, a few still try to keep alive. I would much rather party like the Native American's did then sit around the table and stuff myself full of turkey and watch television all day - like the dull "tradition" my family has always done each Thanksgiving.
December 3, 2020
Long before the pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving, the Narragansett people were celebrating the holiday Nickommoh. This holiday (celebrated in October) was a traditional, joyful time for the People to give thanks and is likely what our November holiday is based on.
Read
July 21, 2009A picture book describing the first Thanksgiving ever, before Europeans came to America and attended.
November 29, 2012
Good book for kids to see how other cultures celebrated Thanksgiving.
Read
November 9, 2013NF 394.2649 Koll
November 17, 2021
Great detailed, yet wood-block looking illustrations bring to life the text explaining the Indigenous culture surrounding being thankful and marking that, as a community. Each month is a celebration, this one occurring roughly during October, including the "giving thanks" to Kautantawwitt and feeling that gratefulness back to the people.
The language is of the Narragansett, and reflects many peoples' celebrations all over New England (not specifically Ojibewi).
The language is of the Narragansett, and reflects many peoples' celebrations all over New England (not specifically Ojibewi).
November 9, 2017
Good book for kids to see how other cultures celebrated Thanksgiving.
July 25, 2019
Would have
June 8, 2020
50 States book for Rhode Island. A play-by-play of Native American thanksgiving celebrations. Lots of Native American words, so will need time to review those.
November 8, 2021
Interesting and informative. I wish it had been written and illustrated by indigenous people.
November 22, 2021
I like history books, and this one did a fine job describing the Eastern Native American Indians' traditions for celebrations.
November 26, 2014
This is an interesting and informative book that depicts the celebratory thanksgiving rituals of the Narragansett Indian Tribe of present-day Rhode Island. Words from the Narragansett language are used frequently throughout the narrative, and while the context is fairly easy to figure out, there is a comprehensive glossary at the end of the book, too.
The narrative on each page is short, almost poetic, and really relies on the illustrations to depict the scenes. Truly, the scratchboard and gouache illustrations are the highlight of the book.
Our girls espeically enjoyed the descriptions of the games and foods cooked for the celebration, and I loved that the celebration was also an opportunity to give to those who were needy.
Our girls didn't really understand the religious and purifying concept of the sweat lodge, so I was glad for the glossary at the end for the definition and lengthy explanation of the term (pesuponck).
The author's note at the end of the book was a welcome explanation of the traditional ceremony and I was amazed that they celebrated thirteen times a year - once for each lunar month. If only we could be 'thankful' that often, instead of just this once in the midst of an overabundance of food, football, and shopping.
Overall, we found this to be a very engaging story with gorgeous illustrations and a narrative that really taught us more about the Narragansett people and the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday. We really enjoyed reading it together.
The narrative on each page is short, almost poetic, and really relies on the illustrations to depict the scenes. Truly, the scratchboard and gouache illustrations are the highlight of the book.
Our girls espeically enjoyed the descriptions of the games and foods cooked for the celebration, and I loved that the celebration was also an opportunity to give to those who were needy.
Our girls didn't really understand the religious and purifying concept of the sweat lodge, so I was glad for the glossary at the end for the definition and lengthy explanation of the term (pesuponck).
The author's note at the end of the book was a welcome explanation of the traditional ceremony and I was amazed that they celebrated thirteen times a year - once for each lunar month. If only we could be 'thankful' that often, instead of just this once in the midst of an overabundance of food, football, and shopping.
Overall, we found this to be a very engaging story with gorgeous illustrations and a narrative that really taught us more about the Narragansett people and the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday. We really enjoyed reading it together.
January 20, 2022
For Children's Books Nov 2020 'shared meals' theme.
Other reviewers, esp. QNPoohBear, say it better. This is interesting and useful to adults who already understand something about indigenous history, but since it treats the Narragansett people as Exotic and From the Old Days, it's not all that great for children. Otoh, it's better than 99.9% of the "Pilgrim" stories out there. If only it were written or illustrated by actual Narragansett, or at least Native, people. Well, at least the team that created it did consult. It's not wrong, per se, just not nearly enough.
Other reviewers, esp. QNPoohBear, say it better. This is interesting and useful to adults who already understand something about indigenous history, but since it treats the Narragansett people as Exotic and From the Old Days, it's not all that great for children. Otoh, it's better than 99.9% of the "Pilgrim" stories out there. If only it were written or illustrated by actual Narragansett, or at least Native, people. Well, at least the team that created it did consult. It's not wrong, per se, just not nearly enough.
November 8, 2007
This was a very short read that gave history about the Native American thanksgiving celebreation Nickommoh. It's written in more of a prose style, yet uses words that are Native American in origin, with the definitions either easy to understand in context or given.
November 26, 2011
Really nice addition to a thanksgiving collection because it is about Native Americans (Narragansett tribe of Rhode Island in this book) celebrating rites of thanksgiving, long before the pilgrims set foot in America.
November 14, 2013
Neat multicultural Thanksgiving book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews