What do you think?
Rate this book
The Debwe Series
The Gift Is in the Making: Anishinaabeg Stories
The Gift Is in the Making retells previously published Anishinaabeg stories, bringing to life Anishinaabeg values and teachings to a new generation. Readers are immersed in a world where all genders are respected, the tiniest being has influence in the world, and unconditional love binds families and communities to each other and to their homeland. Sprinkled with gentle humour and the Anishinaabe language, this collection speaks to children and adults alike, and reminds us of the timelessness of stories that touch the heart.
The Gift Is in the Making is the second title in The Debwe Series. Created in the spirit of the Anishinaabe concept debwe (to speak the truth), The Debwe Series is a collection of exceptional Aboriginal writings from across Canada.
The Gift Is in the Making is the second title in The Debwe Series. Created in the spirit of the Anishinaabe concept debwe (to speak the truth), The Debwe Series is a collection of exceptional Aboriginal writings from across Canada.
108 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2013
19 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
24 books1,089 followersLeanne Betasamosake Simpson is a renowned Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer and artist, who has been widely recognized as one of the most compelling Indigenous voices of her generation. Her work breaks open the intersections between politics, story and song—bringing audiences into a rich and layered world of sound, light, and sovereign creativity.
Working for two decades as an independent scholar using Nishnaabeg intellectual practices, Leanne has lectured and taught extensively at universities across Canada and the United States and has twenty years experience with Indigenous land based education. She holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba, and teaches at the Dechinta Centre for Research & Learning in Denendeh.
Leanne is the author of six previous books, including This Accident of Being Lost, which won the MacEwan University Book of the Year; was a finalist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize and the Trillium Book Award; was long listed for CBC Canada Reads; and was named a best book of the year by the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and Quill & Quire. Her latest book, As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2017, and was awarded Best Subsequent Book by the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Her new novel Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies is was release this fall by the House of Anansi Press.
Leanne is also a musician combining poetry, storytelling, song-writing and performance in collaboration with musicians to create unique spoken songs and soundscapes. Leanne's third record, The Theory of Ice will be released in 2021.
Leanne is a member of Alderville First Nation.
Working for two decades as an independent scholar using Nishnaabeg intellectual practices, Leanne has lectured and taught extensively at universities across Canada and the United States and has twenty years experience with Indigenous land based education. She holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba, and teaches at the Dechinta Centre for Research & Learning in Denendeh.
Leanne is the author of six previous books, including This Accident of Being Lost, which won the MacEwan University Book of the Year; was a finalist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize and the Trillium Book Award; was long listed for CBC Canada Reads; and was named a best book of the year by the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and Quill & Quire. Her latest book, As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2017, and was awarded Best Subsequent Book by the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Her new novel Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies is was release this fall by the House of Anansi Press.
Leanne is also a musician combining poetry, storytelling, song-writing and performance in collaboration with musicians to create unique spoken songs and soundscapes. Leanne's third record, The Theory of Ice will be released in 2021.
Leanne is a member of Alderville First Nation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 7, 2022
Slightly modernized retelling of Anishinaabeg stories, suitable for all ages. Anishinaabemowin words are used throughout, with English translations given at the start of each story.
January 28, 2021
Wow, I really enjoyed these stories! They aren't original Leanne Betasamosake Simpson stories (which I also love), but her voice comes through in the retellings. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes short, humorous stories, myths, and traditional tales. This is really an invaluable resource and I hope it's on shelves in Indigenous and non-Indigenous schools, libraries, and homes everywhere.
August 2, 2017
I truly appreciate this book as a gentle introduction to Anishnaabe traditional stories (told in a more modern approach). I loved how Leanne Simpson integrates Anishnaabemowin throughout her stories; I feel like it helped me learn and understand the language better. I'm excited to add it to my school library; I think it will be extremely useful.
July 16, 2021
What a great collection of stories. I loved them all. I think seeing the translations for each name and pronunciation would help. Planning to buy the book so I can have a look at them. I highly recommend this book for kids and adults alike. Great message overall. And so many stories. This is a book you could pick up and put down again and again.
Read
April 5, 2021A really well made audiobook.
Don't want to rate it as I'm not the intended audience.
Don't want to rate it as I'm not the intended audience.
April 26, 2023
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is an Indigenous author and creator. Anything and everything she writes is very much worth reading.
I rate THE GIFT IS IN THE MAKING as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I rate THE GIFT IS IN THE MAKING as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
January 19, 2024
powerful to hear the language and to hear these stories this winter. i listened to the audio and loved it. would listen again. would love to read the text with my eyes too sometime.
April 22, 2024
Thought-provoking & funny, a book I’m looking to get a paper copy of so I can pass these stories on. A smooth intro to LBS if you’ve never read her work before.
September 11, 2025
cute !
September 2, 2020
This is a beautiful book that tells the stories that have been passed down for generations in the oral tradition of the Anishinaabeg. The author uses the native names for different animals and people in the stories but at the beginning of each story she tells you what each name means. It may be neat to have a chart with he native names with a photo beside it for children to refer to as they listen. Each story is short but important, the tie that seems to bind them all together is a need for respect for the land, the people and animals. With one of these things out of balance the whole system suffers.
These would be beautiful stories to listen to around a fire or listened to learned and then retold around the fire.
These would be beautiful stories to listen to around a fire or listened to learned and then retold around the fire.
March 18, 2021
This is the kind of book that was totally different than what I expected, but I liked it a lot anyways. I picked this up as part of my quest to read everything Leanne Simpson has ever written, and I found an incredible gem in this book.
This book is a retelling of a number of different Anishinaabe stories about the land, specifically in Michi Saagiig Nishinaabeg territory, all starring Nanabush. Simpson makes it clear at the start of the book that her ideal reader (or listener) for this text is a young child, but that the stories will be useful to all to understand the history of the land.
I found myself finding specific stories in this collection that I wanted to read to my class, as they finished up an assignment about maple sap harvesting this past week. I also found myself finding stories I want to read to my kids some day.
Simpson’s scattered use of Anishinaabemowin throughout the text can only be described as comforting. I felt proud of myself when I remembered a word without looking at the index at the end of each story. I also gave myself the occasional “good enough” when I confused frog with duck, or something similar.
If you live in an area that is traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, I highly recommend giving this a read. It is an invaluable primer to the history of the land and the stories that live in the earth.
This book is a retelling of a number of different Anishinaabe stories about the land, specifically in Michi Saagiig Nishinaabeg territory, all starring Nanabush. Simpson makes it clear at the start of the book that her ideal reader (or listener) for this text is a young child, but that the stories will be useful to all to understand the history of the land.
I found myself finding specific stories in this collection that I wanted to read to my class, as they finished up an assignment about maple sap harvesting this past week. I also found myself finding stories I want to read to my kids some day.
Simpson’s scattered use of Anishinaabemowin throughout the text can only be described as comforting. I felt proud of myself when I remembered a word without looking at the index at the end of each story. I also gave myself the occasional “good enough” when I confused frog with duck, or something similar.
If you live in an area that is traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, I highly recommend giving this a read. It is an invaluable primer to the history of the land and the stories that live in the earth.
September 25, 2021
After reading Leanne’s Islands of Decolonial Love, I’ve been hooked on her writing. This collection of Anishinaabeg stories is no different. Her stories are poetry in motion and it’s truly an emotional experience, it’s beautiful. I do believe she wrote these stories for Anishinaabeg children, stories that are meant to be passed down as teaching lessons, that is the traditional way of many indigenous cultures.
November 30, 2022
A charming collection of a retelling of Anishinaabeg stories with an invaluable translation of the Anishinaabeg language before each story. What a wonderful treasure of preservation of a language through stories and parables.
Listened to this on audiobook, which is a must for a proper translation. Read wonderfully by Tiffany Ayalik and written or reimagined by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, an extremely gifted Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg writer and scholar.
Listened to this on audiobook, which is a must for a proper translation. Read wonderfully by Tiffany Ayalik and written or reimagined by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, an extremely gifted Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg writer and scholar.
February 27, 2025
5* for the combo (3.5* if you either read or listen to the audiobook)
Shtaa Taa Haa!
So i started with the audiobook and it wasn't going very well if I'm honest. I was excited about the authentic use of Nishnaabemowin and was looking forward to maybe picking up a word or two. Luckily I was also able to get a written copy to help me work my way through. The combo of both turned this into a 5 * adventure. I don't see how anyone could do it otherwise unless they already speak the language and I don't think that is the target audience. It seems written to teach the language. With the audiobook, you get pronunciation but not enough explanation so I got lost more than I wanted to despite the simplicity of the tales. Trying to remember the language lesson at the beginning of the chapter meant usually losing the flow of the stories. If I had had only the book, I would have had better explanations but the pronunciation would have been butchery of the language which I find is a bit disrespectful even if you are simply trying to learn. The use of both mediums made this a very enjoyable learning experience.
Using both mediums also helped me see how connected some of the words are. They seemed to have been developed with those interconnections in mind, unlike most languages. The example that stuck was the Woodpecker (Baapaase) and the White Ash (Baapaagamaq). Admittedly, it may be erroneous on my part to make that assumption given I am not fluent in the language or very knowledgeable of it's roots. Consider it an observation with no foundation.
The stories themselves seem oriented towards a very young audience and that may not appeal to some. On the topic and regarding the language, I am a child in terms of knowledge and ability so it suited me just fine. The modernization of some of the stories were humorous but to traditionalists, it may be a bit off putting. For the most part it just made me laugh. Glad I was able to hear these Nanabush stories at the appropriate time of year.
Miigwech to the author and her support network for sharing this with the world.
Shtaa Taa Haa!
So i started with the audiobook and it wasn't going very well if I'm honest. I was excited about the authentic use of Nishnaabemowin and was looking forward to maybe picking up a word or two. Luckily I was also able to get a written copy to help me work my way through. The combo of both turned this into a 5 * adventure. I don't see how anyone could do it otherwise unless they already speak the language and I don't think that is the target audience. It seems written to teach the language. With the audiobook, you get pronunciation but not enough explanation so I got lost more than I wanted to despite the simplicity of the tales. Trying to remember the language lesson at the beginning of the chapter meant usually losing the flow of the stories. If I had had only the book, I would have had better explanations but the pronunciation would have been butchery of the language which I find is a bit disrespectful even if you are simply trying to learn. The use of both mediums made this a very enjoyable learning experience.
Using both mediums also helped me see how connected some of the words are. They seemed to have been developed with those interconnections in mind, unlike most languages. The example that stuck was the Woodpecker (Baapaase) and the White Ash (Baapaagamaq). Admittedly, it may be erroneous on my part to make that assumption given I am not fluent in the language or very knowledgeable of it's roots. Consider it an observation with no foundation.
The stories themselves seem oriented towards a very young audience and that may not appeal to some. On the topic and regarding the language, I am a child in terms of knowledge and ability so it suited me just fine. The modernization of some of the stories were humorous but to traditionalists, it may be a bit off putting. For the most part it just made me laugh. Glad I was able to hear these Nanabush stories at the appropriate time of year.
Miigwech to the author and her support network for sharing this with the world.
June 18, 2023
This is a really interesting collection of Nishnaabeg stories. It was interesting for me, being Nishnaabeg, to hear them and I appreciated the usage of language. There was tons I recognized, and more that I learned. Although I’m learning Bodéwadmimwen, the words are similar enough for me to follow. It really does a great help at teaching certain words while teaching about these stories.
I think kids will really appreciate the ones surrounding Nanabush, since those ones often have a comical twist to them in learning life lessons. There’s a lot of stories for others to enjoy. Even in the introduction there is an explanation at how these stories have different meanings to the readers and what stage of life they’re in. It is more than one story wrapped up in one because they take on a life of their own for the reader.
I really enjoyed this and will be recommending.
*Here are my notes on what some of the stories discussed:
respect of animals, learning to work together, respect/care for plants and animals, teaching of antidote for poison ivy, bravery/determination, importance of not being vain/bragging, funny story, strength in your name comes from you, colonization, story about uncontrollable want / sugarbush, story of Ojiig, maple syrup story, story about bear short tail, painted turtle story.
I think kids will really appreciate the ones surrounding Nanabush, since those ones often have a comical twist to them in learning life lessons. There’s a lot of stories for others to enjoy. Even in the introduction there is an explanation at how these stories have different meanings to the readers and what stage of life they’re in. It is more than one story wrapped up in one because they take on a life of their own for the reader.
I really enjoyed this and will be recommending.
*Here are my notes on what some of the stories discussed:
respect of animals, learning to work together, respect/care for plants and animals, teaching of antidote for poison ivy, bravery/determination, importance of not being vain/bragging, funny story, strength in your name comes from you, colonization, story about uncontrollable want / sugarbush, story of Ojiig, maple syrup story, story about bear short tail, painted turtle story.
September 5, 2020
The Gift Is in the Making
Anishinaabeg Stories
by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
Narrated by Tiffany Ayalik
I LOVED this book. It is a collection of 21 short stories, each with a theme to be cherished and endeared; be who you are, be a good neighbor, how the turtle obtained its shell which is related to the calendar. The audiobook was AMAZING, Tiffany Ayalik did a wonderful job. Loved her inflections, it perfectly complimented this book.
In my opinion it would be best to combine the physical book with the audiobook. At the beginning of each story, the author provides the English word and the Anishinaabeg word for an object (bear, grandmother, maple tree) and then uses the Anishinaabeg word in the story. At times I wasn't entirely sure which was the appropriate word, but it didn't really seem to detract from the story.
My words can't adequately convey how much this book has snared my heart. Love, love, loved it! I want to re-listen to the audio again and again and continue to absorb these stories ... until i can tell them to my neice and nephew. In all honesty, I'll probably do that as well as purchasing the book and the audio for them!
This audiobook was courtesy of NetGalley Advance Read Copy; thank you to the author/Leanne Betasamosake Simpson and NetGalley!
Anishinaabeg Stories
by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
Narrated by Tiffany Ayalik
I LOVED this book. It is a collection of 21 short stories, each with a theme to be cherished and endeared; be who you are, be a good neighbor, how the turtle obtained its shell which is related to the calendar. The audiobook was AMAZING, Tiffany Ayalik did a wonderful job. Loved her inflections, it perfectly complimented this book.
In my opinion it would be best to combine the physical book with the audiobook. At the beginning of each story, the author provides the English word and the Anishinaabeg word for an object (bear, grandmother, maple tree) and then uses the Anishinaabeg word in the story. At times I wasn't entirely sure which was the appropriate word, but it didn't really seem to detract from the story.
My words can't adequately convey how much this book has snared my heart. Love, love, loved it! I want to re-listen to the audio again and again and continue to absorb these stories ... until i can tell them to my neice and nephew. In all honesty, I'll probably do that as well as purchasing the book and the audio for them!
This audiobook was courtesy of NetGalley Advance Read Copy; thank you to the author/Leanne Betasamosake Simpson and NetGalley!
October 23, 2018
This was an absolutely exquisite book. It was gorgeous in every way, and I highly recommend it to anyone who lives in Ontario. I look at so many things differently now: the constellation around the northern star, the fiery colours of autumn and the mist of a waterfall, poison ivy and jewelweed, flowers that look like slippers, maple trees, squirrels, thunder, water, geese, skunks. Also it is sprinkled about with Nishnaabemowin so by the end of the book, you’ll be newly familiar with a number of beautiful words. Each word allows you to see something you thought to be so familiar in a very unfamiliar way.
This felt like a book of sacred texts. And Leanne Simpson is such a delightful storyteller, people of all ages can appreciate this book. Additionally, the stories are sometimes hilarious. Like really funny. I was lazing around on a dull Saturday morning this past ‘thanksgiving’ weekend feeling restless, and on a whim took a bike ride out to my local library despite the threatening rain, and even though it started coming down on my bike ride back, I’m glad I went out because I stumbled upon this book, and it was worth it.
This felt like a book of sacred texts. And Leanne Simpson is such a delightful storyteller, people of all ages can appreciate this book. Additionally, the stories are sometimes hilarious. Like really funny. I was lazing around on a dull Saturday morning this past ‘thanksgiving’ weekend feeling restless, and on a whim took a bike ride out to my local library despite the threatening rain, and even though it started coming down on my bike ride back, I’m glad I went out because I stumbled upon this book, and it was worth it.
August 30, 2022
A collection of stories belonging to the oral history of the Anishinaabeg people. It is meant to help parents, grandparents, teachers learn to tell these stories to their children. To keep the oral history alive.
The stories are beautiful and touching. They depict many sacred truths, creation stories, values and guides to live. I loved listening to the stories. I was fascinated by how the stories were woven with humour, life lessons, values, love and teaching. The animals and earth and people are intertwined and depend on each other.
I did get a little confused sometimes by the sprinkling of Anishinaabeg words. The storyteller defined them at the beginning of each story but I often forgot by the time the story started. Luckily the storyteller weaved in the words and I could mostly figure it out. It is a beautiful language and I wish I could learn more words.
Overall, loved listening to this collection stories. The storyteller was amazing. The stories were beautiful and their messages were powerful. Recommend it to all.
The stories are beautiful and touching. They depict many sacred truths, creation stories, values and guides to live. I loved listening to the stories. I was fascinated by how the stories were woven with humour, life lessons, values, love and teaching. The animals and earth and people are intertwined and depend on each other.
I did get a little confused sometimes by the sprinkling of Anishinaabeg words. The storyteller defined them at the beginning of each story but I often forgot by the time the story started. Luckily the storyteller weaved in the words and I could mostly figure it out. It is a beautiful language and I wish I could learn more words.
Overall, loved listening to this collection stories. The storyteller was amazing. The stories were beautiful and their messages were powerful. Recommend it to all.
October 5, 2020
This is a beautiful collection of stories! I loved the narrator's voice and the way the author wove and retold these Anishinaabeg stories. The layout of the book was incredible and learning the vocabulary of this native language was much appreciated and made listening even better because the pronunciation was not butchered by attempting to read it on my own. The way life is explained in native tales immerses the reader in the old ways; how and why things work the way they do. Leanne Simpson does an amazing job of bringing these stories back to life. I received this audiobook from Netgalley and these are my own thoughts and opinions.
April 18, 2021
Reading stories from all worlds is fun, interesting and each story is a teaching.
Every culture, tradition, race etc. has their own stories..and they are all similar to each other. All told by humans.
Where I live (Yukon Territory) the stories are endless and varied from one community to an other.
In my life I have read many stories out of Africa..and those too are similar to ones here. The African stories are the ones I 'like best'. Stories are all good..and story tellers are to be respected and treasured.
Thank you Leanne Simpson for your telling and re-telling of stories.
(and your music!!)
Every culture, tradition, race etc. has their own stories..and they are all similar to each other. All told by humans.
Where I live (Yukon Territory) the stories are endless and varied from one community to an other.
In my life I have read many stories out of Africa..and those too are similar to ones here. The African stories are the ones I 'like best'. Stories are all good..and story tellers are to be respected and treasured.
Thank you Leanne Simpson for your telling and re-telling of stories.
(and your music!!)
September 30, 2024
CW: illness, bad neighbours, pollution, greed
This Anishnaabemowen collection of stories gave so much to reflect upon. The importance of ritual and giving thanks when taking a life for food. The different ways to organize and work together. The youthful desire to disobey and the severe consequences of not following the rules. How to politely deal with bad neighbours and when larger intervention is required. Why we need to value the process of making the gift of syrup instead of just indulging in the product. My favourite though, was a take on being smart and why we need to think carefully about what we learn and what we have been told… because it might just be total crap.
This Anishnaabemowen collection of stories gave so much to reflect upon. The importance of ritual and giving thanks when taking a life for food. The different ways to organize and work together. The youthful desire to disobey and the severe consequences of not following the rules. How to politely deal with bad neighbours and when larger intervention is required. Why we need to value the process of making the gift of syrup instead of just indulging in the product. My favourite though, was a take on being smart and why we need to think carefully about what we learn and what we have been told… because it might just be total crap.
September 19, 2020
This was a beautiful collection of Anishinaabeg traditional stories. Reminiscent of the fables that I grew up with, these stories teach life lessons and explain the world around us. The author included native names for animals, plants, and people, which made the experience of listening to this book even more immersive. This book is a very special collection of the oral history of the Anishinaabeg and I am so glad I was able to listen and learn from their stories.
Thank you to #Netgalley for an audiobook of #TheGiftIsInTheMaking in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to #Netgalley for an audiobook of #TheGiftIsInTheMaking in exchange for my honest review.
February 12, 2024
If you get a chance, listen to the audio of this collection on Spotify! It’s great to hear the stories orally, as they’re supposed to be shared.
These were my favorite stories from the collection:
Chapter 2: The Baagaataa’awa Game That Changed Everything
Chapter 4: A Gift from a Very Smart Little Green Frog
Chapter 7: Please Be Careful When You’re Getting Smart
Chapter 19: She Had a Beautiful, Speckled Design
These were my favorite stories from the collection:
Chapter 2: The Baagaataa’awa Game That Changed Everything
Chapter 4: A Gift from a Very Smart Little Green Frog
Chapter 7: Please Be Careful When You’re Getting Smart
Chapter 19: She Had a Beautiful, Speckled Design
March 15, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve been enjoying the books provided by Highwater Press lately. This book is no different. There are twenty-one chapters with a great introduction to Anishnaabe traditional stories. While reading fascinating stories, you can also learn the native language. Heart-felt and endearing, all these stories are great for adult or children. They’ll leave a lasting impression. Each story gives a gentle lesson that will stay with you long after you’ve read it. You’ll find yourself with a greater appreciation for everything around you. I found that I was paying closer attention to all the life, all the unique colours and vibrancy that I hadn’t before.
This book is about family, relationships and having a respect for life, nature and all creatures big or small. There is pride felt for country, self and traditions. Overall this entire book is a feel-good journey, with a bit of humour to top it off.
I recommend this book to all. The book has interesting artwork/illustrations (black and white) that add to the stories shared.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve been enjoying the books provided by Highwater Press lately. This book is no different. There are twenty-one chapters with a great introduction to Anishnaabe traditional stories. While reading fascinating stories, you can also learn the native language. Heart-felt and endearing, all these stories are great for adult or children. They’ll leave a lasting impression. Each story gives a gentle lesson that will stay with you long after you’ve read it. You’ll find yourself with a greater appreciation for everything around you. I found that I was paying closer attention to all the life, all the unique colours and vibrancy that I hadn’t before.
This book is about family, relationships and having a respect for life, nature and all creatures big or small. There is pride felt for country, self and traditions. Overall this entire book is a feel-good journey, with a bit of humour to top it off.
I recommend this book to all. The book has interesting artwork/illustrations (black and white) that add to the stories shared.
April 19, 2020
This is a beautiful book that both adults and children can enjoy. I read it for an Indigenous Literatures course and it was nice to encounter something that was so obviously rich, but simplistic on its surface. It really counters a majority of the texts I read, which try to seem very complex and deep. There are a lot of life lessons to learn from this text.
September 28, 2021
Partner says: Awesome! We gotta read it again.
Kiddo laughed many times and he rarely laughs.
For me, this is a beautiful commitment to Indigenous parenting, love and community.
We are missing Longhouse visits again this year due to risk of Covid. This was a great comfort to my family.
Miigwech, far away neighbor.
Kiddo laughed many times and he rarely laughs.
For me, this is a beautiful commitment to Indigenous parenting, love and community.
We are missing Longhouse visits again this year due to risk of Covid. This was a great comfort to my family.
Miigwech, far away neighbor.
April 16, 2022
I really loved this collection of Anishinaabeg stories and language. This seems like a great intro book if you are looking to read more Indigenous stories - the language guides at the top of each tale really are inviting, and the seasonal stories provide a window into an Anishinaabeg worldview that is really wonderful to get to experience a little as an outsider.
January 26, 2026
A sparkling collection of Indigenous stories, lovingly curated and adapted. Simpson is kind to her reader, offering up word meanings and additional reading. Truly, the stories are entertaining, but it is important that everyone read (or better yet listen to) these traditional tales. "All of my relatives" acquires an enriched meaning.
February 23, 2018
A collection of traditional Anishnaabe tales. Written with typical humour, each one of them drives home an important teaching . Leanne Simpson also mingles Anishnaabe words into the text - a very clever device at conveying meaning.
June 10, 2019
A solid anthology of folklore and stories. It is clearly meant for a younger audience but it still holds up with an older reader. The editing needs quite a bit of work.
I recommend this read with a tab opened to the Anishinaabeg. There's a lot of lore to dig through.
I recommend this read with a tab opened to the Anishinaabeg. There's a lot of lore to dig through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews