Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa

by Leslie Stall Widener, Johnson Yazzie (Illustrator)

A nonfiction picture book about the inspiring true pay-it-forward story that bridges two continents, 175 years, and two events in history--connecting Ireland, Choctaw Nation, Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribe.

1845. The Potato Famine devastated Ireland. An ocean away, Choctaw people heard and were moved by the similarities to the injustice they had suffered on the Trail of Tears. Though they had little, they gathered money to donate.

2017. Irish people built a statue to remember their connection to the Choctaw Nation--twenty-foot high feathers in the shape of a bowl.

2020. COVID-19 disproportionately ravished the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. Irish people remembered the Choctaws' kindness and paid it forward by donating.

Empathy creates kindness that lives well beyond a single act and includes more people the bigger it grows.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Native American, Childrens, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 9, 2024

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1845 the Irish Potato Famine is decimating farmers. The Choctaw people hear of it and donate $170.00 to Irish families. After surviving the Trail of Tears they had empathy for the Irish people. In 2017 Irish people built a statue to remember this act of kindness. In 2020 Irish people remembered the Choctaws' kindness and donate funds to help the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe as they tried to cope with COVID-19. Should be required reading for all politicians!

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book informs young readers about two different cultures: the Irish and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. More than that, it relays a true story about how people from across the Atlantic offered each other compassion and material support during challenging times.

Young readers are first introduced to a child who is suffering during the Irish Potato Faime on 1845-1850 where more than a million Irish died from starvation and disease. (Malnourished people are at a higher risk of disease).

Next, young readers are introduced to the people of the Choctaw Nation who heard about the plight of the Irish during the Potato Famine. They recalled their own suffering from 1832 when their grandparents' "land was stolen and their villages burned to the ground." After losing their ancestral / traditional lands, they were force to walk "six hundred miles through snow and rain, barefoot and half starved with only thin blankets for warmth." This forced relocation would be called the Trail of Tears, a byproduct of an unfair agreement called The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830. Many of the Chactow "had frozen, starved, or died of disease" as a result of the relocation.

In 1847, many Chactow gave money they really could not spare and sent it to the Irish. The concept of kindred spirit is expressed in the Chactow nation as Shilombish ittbachvffa (which is incorporated in the book's title). They gave what today would be equivalent to $5,000.

(The Chactow were originally from the lower Mississipi area before moving to Oklahoma.)

Decades later (in 2017), the Irish put up a monument recognizing the compassion, humanity, and sacrifice of the Chactow people. An Irish sculptor name Alex Pentek created a monument that is an empty bowl ringed with 9 representations of eagle feathers that are 20 feet tall each.

There is another part of this story! In 2020, the Hopi Nation suffered greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many reservations lack running water or access to healthcare, making it difficult to fight off a variety of diseases, including COVID-19.

(The Hopi and Navajo are a distinct peoples from the Chactow with their own traditions and own traditional homelands. Their ancestral lands are located in the Southwest, including the Four-Corner area, but the Hopi being centered mainly in Arizona, and the Navajo traditional homelands being partly in Arizona and partly in New Mexico with just a little bit in Utah and not a notable foothold in Colorado. Hopi and Navajo also have distinct traditions. Note that Native people can live anywhere in the US or in the world. Not all live on reservations. Modern First Peoples live complex and diverse lives, but learning about their traditional lives is also important.)

The Irish read about the suffering of the Navajo and Hopi, so over 26,000 Irish donated to the Hopi and the Navajo to help reduce their physical and financial suffering during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic. They raised over 3 million dollars! "The money was given by many with ancestors who received the gift that Choctaws gave to Ireland during the potato famine."

Oh, this is a GREAT story for readers of all ages to witness to the generosity and compassion of people who are from different cultures, different regions of the world, and different time periods.

The news can be so discouraging, leading people to think that humans are primarily greedy, selfish and violent. Stories such as this one gives me some hope for the human race!

The backmatter includes notes from the author and the illustrator with more detail about these four groups of people and more detail about the Kindred Spirit monument. This includes a quote from a contemporary Choctaw Chief, Gary Batton: "Our word for their selfless act is 'iyyikowa'--it meaning serving those in need. . . . Sharing cultures makes the world grow smaller."

The backmatter also contains a timeline of the events described through storytelling in the main part of the book. There ae a few illustrations with the timeline to make it more engaging for young readers.

School libraries and public libraries can celebrate international / intercultural ties by getting a copy of this book!

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A stirring story of kindness.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the inspiring true story of the real meaning of pay-it-forward! In this story we learn about the wonderful connection between several cultures and even over time and continents. In this story we learn about how in 1845 the people of Ireland were dealing with the famine. When the Choctaw people who had dealt with injustice of Trail of Tears understood and wanted to help. They donated money and in return the Irish put up a statue in remembrance. Fast forward to 2020 and the struggles and strife of COVID that hit the people of the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe very hard. When the Irish discovered this they wanted to return the favor from 175 years ago and donated money to them. This story is so amazing. Packed with history and showing the true meaning of respecting others, understanding and caring for our neighbors, even if they are all the way around the world. I love the way the story is written and beautifully illustrated. It is a powerful message everyone needs to hear. Perfect to share in a classroom. The possibilities are endless

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empathy for the suffering of people across an ocean moves the Choctaw to send money to the Irish and creates a bond still felt nearly 200 years later.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This makes me want to read more about the history of the Choctaw and Irish.

[Joey Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Charlesbridge and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

A small amount of kindness that lasted seven generations to continue the cycles of kindness, what an impactful story this is. I honestly didn’t know about it before reading this but the description and cover alone made me want to read it and I’m glad I did as it was so impactful learning about this event in history that took place befteeen the Choctaw nation and the Irish.

I knew about the potato famine and the hardships and the struggles that they went through, I also knew about the natives and how they were so badly mistreated, but I knew nothing about how these two communities came together to form a life long bond and to help each other during the hardest hardships they’d have to face.

This was so fascinating to me, as a history lover, finding a piece of what I call hidden history is incredible. I love getting to learn and find out all about something that happened but unless you’re part of these communities it isn’t wildly known about. What these two communities did for each other in the 1800’s and up during 2020 was amazing and with such dedicated kindness and love. Honestly it’s so refreshing to read about something nice that happened to them each, that during horrific times something good still came out if it.

I really enjoyed reading about this, though it was incredibly sad, with the suffering, the death,the pain that they were all going through, the cruelty of many other humans around them, learning about how they were so selfless and so caring for others without a second thought was just beautiful. This was such a powerful read and I am so happy to have learnt something new.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I might have organized this book differently, it describes parts of history that have been forgotten or ignored while highlighting the generosity of groups of people who might seem to have nothing in common. Who would have thought that the Choctaw, who had lost their own lands and watched as many died along the Trail of Tears, would be so moved by the plight of the Irish, who were starving and dying during the Potato Famine, which began in 1845, that they would collect money [$170], and then many generations later, the Irish would return the favor when COVID-19 devastated the Hopi and Navajo Nation? It's encouraging, inspiring, and humbling to consider that individuals who had so little and were struggling themselves were touched enough by the plight of others that they'd never seen to donate what little they had. The expressive artwork, rendered in acrylic paint, honors various cultures, including the Irish, Choctaw, Hopi, and Navajo, perhaps reminding young readers that we have much more in common than we might think and that kindness spreads. A helpful Timeline and informative back matter describing the historical events covered here, including the Trail of Tears, the Irish Potato Famine as well as information about the modern Choctaw Nation and Ireland and the kindred bond they still share is enlightening. Educators may want to share this picture book with their students as an example of kindness, spurred on by empathy, that reaches across several decades and a couple of centuries. Given some of the recent events in our nation, it would be enlightening for some of our elected officials to read this book.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of outreach and mutual support/concern weaves together four distinct cultures across two centuries. Some of the material was familiar to me, but this complete telling is rich with detail and meaningful connective tissue while remaining simply lyrical and nearly magical. The text uses occasional side panels to clarify the history/science behind the actualmevents described in the main text, but the flow is not in any way disrupted.
Beginning with the potato famine in 19th century Ireland (caused by a sudden fungal plague to the crop), the story reveals that Choctaw Native people, reached out frommtheir limited resources to offer assistance. The plight of starving people resonated with those who had been forcibly removed from their own land and suffered starvation and loss as a result. That act of kindness, of recognizing common humanity, remained in the hearts of the Irish people who marked a remembrance of their gift with a memorial statue in Ireland in recent years.
Then COVID caused extreme isolation and suffering for the Hopi Navajo people, whose suffering reached the Irish people. They, in turn, contributed to the Native fund to help provide the water and medicines needed to make it through.
In fact, this intersection of four distinct and distant cultures is a heartwarming reminder of our common humanity. The illustrations include informative scenes and contain luminous and vibrant traditional colors, evoking connection and conveying empathy.

[Bonnie Lambourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this story might feel slight in its writing approach, it hits the mark and is a much needed addition to any community, school or teacher's library. The author is Native Choctaw and keeps the focus zoomed in on the Choctaw-Irish connection, which began by some Choctaw people donating money for the starving people in Ireland after learning of the potato famine of two years by then...1847.
The book is a concise record of tragic times in history for the Irish and Native Americans / First Nations people, told in vignette-like segments, which broadens out to show how both never forgot and supported each other back and forth many times over nearly 200 years.

The message of empathy through activism shines through - and creates a vision for how to build bridges of understanding and survival. Inference shares how the world can change remembering our trials of persecution, abuse, hardships, not by resentment, but with pride in ones heritage, compassion, connection, and passing forward help when possible.

The artwork is beautiful, rich with color and emotion, as well as historical detail. timeline at the back is a great reference resource for looking at it comparative and shared histories. On this timeline, notable is 1992, where the Irish activists and Choctaw officials offer solidarity to support Somali people.

A glossary of Irish and Choctaw words and phrases used in the book is also included, and sources the author researched in writing the book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Irish Potato Famine happened, people from all over the world tried to help. One such people were the Choctaw people, who had just survived the Trail of Tears not that long before. They saw the Irish plight, as similar to their plight. So while they didn’t have much money, they sent what they could.

Years later, a statue was raised to commemorate this friendship. And then when the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe suffered under Covid, the Irish gathered money to help them, as a return gesture.

Beautifully illustrated picture book about people who have suffered from Colonialism, understanding each other, and trying to help.

The author, who is a member of the Choctaw Nation, had heard of this story from people of the community, and wanted to write this story. When Covid-19 hit, she knew she had more of the story to add. And in 2022, the Irish started an annual scholarship to Choctaw students who wanted to go to Ireland to study.

Good simple story, to let children know what kindness is, and how it reverberates over the years.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published the 9th of July 2024.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuation of kindness from one impoverished and abused people to another.
Despite the persistent lies and treaties broken by the government in their own land, the people of the Choctaw Nation have given more than they could to others far away, most notably in 1845 when they sent what money they could manage to the people of Ireland who were suffering under a great famine and more. In 1992 Irish activists and Choctaw retraced the Trail of tears to raise awareness of the plight of the Somali, and in 2017 the people of Ireland erected a beautiful monument of thanks to the Choctaw in thanks for help given in their time of need. In 2018 Irish scholarship program was established for Choctaw to study in Ireland, and in 2020 Irish citizens and Irish Americans gave money to Hopi and Navaho for Covid relief. Kindness shared reflects back to the giver.
The illustrations by Johnson Yazzie are crisp, clear, brilliantly colorful, and expressive.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Charlesbridge via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie Stall Widener shares a memorable tale of a connection few people know. During the Irish potato famine, the Choctaw Nation, Navajo Nation, and Hopi Nation heard of the horrific time there, gathered what they could, and sent $170. to help. A few generations later, in 2017, Irish people built a sculpture (see the cover) to memorialize that connection. Then, in 2020, Irish people remembered the Nations' generosity so long ago, and sent millions to help the Native Americans, so ravaged by Covid, and in dire need of help. This is a simple way to tell what the story is about, but it is poetically told by Widener with picturesque illustrations that bring the story to life. There is added information at the back, including a timeline, author's and illustrator's notes, a glossary of Irish and Choctaw vocabulary included, and a list for further exploration. It's wonderful to have what seems to be a little-known story told so poignantly.
Thanks to Charlesbridge for this copy!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

KINDRED SPIRITS is a story of kindness and empathy spanning across four distinct cultures, two continents and 173 years: Ireland and the Hopi, Navajo, and Choctaw nations of the United States. Beginning with the Choctaw and Irish event in 1847, people within these cultures experienced a point where “…families are torn apart, removed from their homes, and left to starve.” The Choctaw gathered what money they could, despite their own circumstances, and sent it to Ireland to support the families in need. 173 years later, Ireland remembered the kindness of the Choctaw, and gathered what money they could when the Hopi and Navajo people were sickened with COVID and medical resources were scarce (and unequal). An example of “kindness coming full circle.”

An inspirational and moving story of kindred spirits, wonderfully illustrated with vibrant colors. Back matter includes a little more detail about the events that happened throughout the story, like the Trail of Tears and Irish Potato Famine. A timeline is included as well - great story that showcases how humanity prevails.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Steinbeck wrote, "If you are in trouble, hurt, or in need--go to the poor people. They are the only ones who will help--the only ones." And this book shares a touching example of that being true: the Choctaw Nation, still reeling from losing nearly everything and imaginable suffering on the Trail of Tears (1831-1834), hear news of the suffering of the Irish from the potato famine and in 1847, take up a collection. They don't have much to give, but they give what they can: $170 (or $5,000 when adjusted for inflation). The two nations are connected by this generosity and shared suffering under colonialism. Over a century and a half later, the Irish donate a commemorative sculpture. A fascinating example of how art can educate, remind, and honor history and connections.

I learned a lot from this book! I appreciated that the author was of the Choctaw Nation, earning this title the #OwnVoices badge, and the illustrator was born on the Najajo Nation.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindred Spirits is a touching re-telling of historic events that shows us how people an ocean apart, but facing similar hardships, can strengthen and uplift one another. It is the story of Native American Nations' connection to the starving Irish during their potato famine. The empathy, funds, and then reciprocity of help and strength when hardships hit. It is a unique telling of their kindred relationship across generations, and is both poignant and inspiring.

Unique and bright illustrations follow a simple story, combined with more detailed historical panels to explain context. The story jumps across time, and back and forth, without the logical sequence I would have expected. The jumping felt a little disjointed to me, and did distract some from the uplifting and connecting story.

Read as a nomination in the nonfiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Choctaw Nation had just survived the harrowing Trail of Tears in 1845 when the Irish were enduring the Potato Famine. So, although they had very little themselves, they collected what they could - because they knew what it was like to be hungry. They sent $170 to help the [people of Ireland. In 2017, the Irish commissioned a statue of feathers in a bowl shape to commemorate the gift from the Choctaw. Then, in 2020, when Covid-19 struck and ravaged the country - but hit the Indigenous nations disproportionately hard - the Irish returned the kindness from the Choctaw by sending aid to the Navajo and Hopi Nations.
This is a beautiful story about kindness and generosity of spirit. I love the ties that have brought these nations together over centuries and generations. The sculpture is beautiful, and so moving when you know the full story behind it.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this true story about how one group of people showed kindness to another group when they were in need, and that group remembered, and passed on the kindness to yet another people group much later. I loved that the lesson is in the context of two historical events that I knew about but had never heard of a connection between. One thing that I really like in children’s picture books is when they describe events that I have not learned about before. I like the way they make it easy to teach my children about those obscure events. The one thing I did not like was a picture toward the end of the book that was based on Navajo spiritualism.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story about people helping each other. When the Choctaw Nation heard how the Irish were
suffering during the potato famine, they remembered to hardships faced on the Trail of Tears and donated money to help the Irish. In 2017 Ireland honors the Choctaw people by creating monument .
When Covid hits the Navaho and Hopi Nations in 2020, lack of medical care and supplies ended with many dying from Covid. When the Irish people were made aware of the situation, they donated funds in remembrance of the help their ancestors received from the Choctaw. Generosity and compassion are passed on.
#KindredSpiritsShilombishIttibachvffa #Charlesbridge #NetGalley

[Allyson Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated story that explores the deep connections between people, nature, and culture, highlighting the importance of community and shared experiences. The book emphasizes respect, empathy, and the ways relationships can shape our understanding of the world. Its cultural context and expressive visuals make it engaging for young readers while fostering appreciation for diversity. In a future classroom, you might use this book to spark discussions about cultural traditions, encourage collaborative projects, and have students reflect on the meaningful relationships in their own lives through writing or art activities.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindred Spirits is the true and continuous story of how three Turtle Island nations (Choctaw, Hopi, and Navajo) and Ireland have reached and aided each other from half a world away in times of crisis, and how the relationship between these cultures endures. All of these people have historically been affected by colonization in different ways, and Kindred Spirits demonstrates the real power of generosity and compassion that can make the world a better place when we lift each other up in times of hardship.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touched by stories of Irish suffering during the potato famine, and feeling a great kinship with the oppressed peoples, the Choctaw Nation took up a collection to help them in their time of need. The favor was returned when the Native American population was devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Irish sent money for food and water. Though I was not a huge fan of the artwork with its dayglo colors and dark outlines, the story of human kindness shining through during times of strive is touching and informative.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the read.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving reflection on a full circle of kindness in history.

When the potato famine of 1845 leaves many Irish families without food and income, the Choctaw people--moved by their own experiences on the Trail of Tears--donate money. More than a century later, the Navajo and Hopi nations suffer disproportionately at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Irish--recalling the generosity of the Choctaw people to their ancestors--come to their aid with donations.

A stellar own-voices story narrated in brief, lyrical free verse.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illuminating children's nonfiction book with pretty art. I wasn't aware of this history and want to learn more. The book does a good job at communicating to a child the concept of kindred in a way they can understand. The themes of generosity and compassion and shared experiences will connect with children.

I liked how the story was told in simple language for younger kids, and then some pages had a side panel with a deeper dive into the history for older children. People of all ages can get something from this book.

[Abby Eberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story based on the Choctaw Nation in 1847, who were still recovering from the Trail of Tears, heard of the Irish suffering during the Irish potato famine, and sent what little they had to help. Over 170 years later, the Irish remembered that act and supported the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Choctaw word shilombish ittibachvffa, "kindred spirits," was used to show how empathy can cross continents and generations.

I can use this as an example of paying kindness forward and how one community's act can become future support.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was great! I had no prior knowledge of the relationship that existed between the Choctaw Nation and the Irish and how this relationship then impacted the relationship between the Irish and the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe. This goes on to prove that informational picture books can be a source of learning for both adults and children. My interest has been sparked and I'm definitely interested in learning more about these connections.

[Erica Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a little known event in history and chronicles the lasting impact it made. It is a tribute to the kindred spirit of two Nations who helped each other when their people were in imminent danger. It is also a celebration of random acts of kindness.

Touching and important.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another piece of history that was overlooked, forgotten, neglected and never something I was taught about- Each time I encounter a story like this, I wonder why no one told me about it-- and wonder how many more out there are like it. I am grateful that authors and illustrators are cranking these stories out for readers so that important history is no longer overlooked or forgotten.

[Carina L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindred Spirits retells the story of America's beginnings through truth. I appreciate the honesty children would receive while reading this book, and how while learning about the origins of our country, they will have the tools to admit that we did not start any kind of perfect way. I would love to use this book as a part of history education.

[Connie Ehrnschwender · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story of people helping strangers all the way across an ocean. We develop empathy when we have lived through tremendous struggles and know what it’s like to suffer. This book gives hope that kindness and compassion will win in the end.