Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow

Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher #1

by Sita MacMillan, Azby Whitecalf (illustrator)

A vibrant debut early chapter book series celebrating Cree culture and being true to yourself.

Look for Book 2, Muskwa’s Tipi Talks, coming in Spring 2025!

Sarah Ponakey has moved to the city from her home community with her mom and it’s the pits! She misses her Kôhkom, her best friend Eden, and the forests around her community. She’s had a hard time making new friends at school but at least she keeps in touch with Eden through meticulously written letters with very big words. After a particularly tough day where she nearly loses her favorite stuffed animal, Âhâsiw, and is brushed off by her mom, Sarah finds herself transported to a magical forest powwow . . .

Accompanied by a life-sized Âhâsiw in his beautiful regalia, Sarah watches in excitement as a chipmunk emcees, and bears play the host drum at her first ever powwow. The more she sees, the more her confidence grows. As she joins in the celebration, Sarah discovers that she can connect to her Cree culture no matter where she is. Her Kôhkom’s going to love this story! Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow, the first book from debut children’s author Sita MacMillan, features Cree words throughout the story and a note to the reader. Azby Whitecalf’s dynamic illustrations bring life to this warm, charming, and funny introduction to Sarah Ponakey, the storycatcher.

Genres: Canada, Childrens, Middle Grade, Indigenous, Friendship

120 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sita MacMillan (text) and Azby Whitecalf (artwork), they verbally and visually present with their August 2024 and entirely OwnVoices early middle grade chapter book Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow (and which seems to be the first book in a current series) how young Sarah Ponakey, who is Cree (who is nehinaw) and has recently moved to the city with her single mother is feeling majorly homesick and really, and hugely misses her best friend Eden and her grandmother (her Kôhkom).

For while in Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow MacMillan's words and Whitecalf's images engagingly and also nicely realistically depict Sarah as staying in touch with Eden through letters and through video chats with her Kôhkom (as well as relying on her stuffed animal friend, on a crow named Âhâsiw for comfort), letters and video chats are of course not really the same as actually being with Eden and Kôhkom, and that Sarah also finds it hugely challenging to adjust to her new life, with Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow equally demonstrating how for Sarah Ponakey, moving from her rural home (likely on a reservation with close family ties, with Cree friends, culture and traditions) to the much more anonymous, faceless and large city is in fact (and in my humble opinion) pretty much akin to relocating to a new and totally different country even if theoretically, this has of course not been the case, and that at school, while a classmate named Joy has been assigned to help Sarah, they have not become friends and that Sarah is also often being teased and bullied by her classmates and is at the same time kind of being somewhat ignored by her teacher (and also pushed to become less introverted).

Now what Sita MacMillan's storyline and Whitecalf's pictures present in Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow and in particular what Sarah experiences at school as well as her intense and wrenching homesickness, this is actually pretty much akin and alike to what I was experiencing and feeling as a ten year old when my family emigrated from Germany and settled in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1976 (and yes, with my parents busy settling in and getting organised, with my younger siblings not feeling homesick and for some reason also experiencing much less bullying than I was, I indeed felt pretty much the same as Sarah does in Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow, feeling ignored, hugely alone and not being taken even remotely seriously by almost, by pretty well everyone).

And in Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow, yes, after a really and truly horribly rough day at school, Sarah Ponakey is both textually and visually shown as falling asleep, dreaming of a human-sized Âhâsiw and other forest animals such as coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, beavers, bears etc. having a traditional nehinaw powwow to celebrate the Summer Solstice and also encouraging Sarah to join in with their traditional dancing, which at first Sarah feels too embarrassed to do but finally overcomes her fears, joins the dancing and wakes up revitalised and indeed with much more self confidence. Thus with her increased self esteem, Sarah is then excited and also no longer scared and embarrassed to share her Cree culture at school during class-time show and tell (and which goes very well, with everyone in Sarah's class appreciating her shawl, wanting to see traditional Cree dancing) and that Sarah also has a new friend in Arya (who like Sarah Ponakey is nehinaw and has also been feeling a bit lonely in the city, with Sarah feeling both understood and is of course also happy and excited to have finally found a new friend.

So yes, the combination of Sita MacMillan's text and Azby Whitecalf's artwork for Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow makes in particular my inner child smile, has a nicely positive and uplifting ending (although personally speaking, I do kind of wish that Sarah would also make friends with non First Nations girls, that her new friendships at the conclusion of Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow could be multi-ethnic). But jut to say as a final word that albeit Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow lovingly describes Cree culture and depicts many of the common challenges of being the new kid, the anthropomorphic animal powwow dream sequence, although it does plays a vital role for Sarah gaining confidence, it also feels slightly out of place in an otherwise realistic story about a child’s experience of moving to a new place (and I personally would prefer it if instead of the dream sequence, Sara Ponakey were to read a traditional story of various animals celebrating a powwow and dancing, although to be honest, my complaints are actually pretty minor).

Finally, Whitecalf’s cartoon-style, grayscale illustrations and MacMillan's words do do a very nice job working together and reflecting one another to provide a fun and engaging story for First Nations children and indeed for all children who have had to move and start over in a new school, a new city etc. (highly recommended, but yes, I do wish that Sita MacMillan would also include a pronunciation key for the Cree words as well as a glossary at the end of Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow).

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship Garden is book three in this series. The cover art is delightfully happy.
Sarah, a young Cree girl, has recently moved to the city and is feeling lonely even though she’s staying in touch with her friend Eden through letters and video chats with her grandmother Kôhkom. Moving to a new place, leaving behind the familiar, is challenging for any age, but especially for children. At her new school, a student named Joy is assigned to guide her through the school day. But for whatever reasons, they haven’t clicked as friends. Sarah’s mom is busy with work, therefore Sarah feels ignored and alone even at home. Then she meets a girl named Arya, who found Sarah’s stuffed animal Âhâsiw that she had accidentally dropped. Arya reveals that she also feels loneliness in the city, causing Sarah to feel a connection and excitement about her new friend.
After one particularly challenging day, Sarah falls asleep and dreams of a human-sized Âhâsiw and other animals having a powwow in the forest. In this dream Sarah is reluctant to dance feeling she may embarrass herself. Her forest friends rally around her encouraging her to dance. For this reason, she wakes up revitalized, with renewed confidence. Now, Sarah is excited to share her shawl at show-and-tell.

This story lovingly depicts Cree culture and the common challenges of being the new kid, and how to stay connected to old friends while making new ones. To this reader the dream sequence even though it played a vital role in Sarah gaining confidence, it made the story seem of the fantasy genre instead of real life experiences.

The cartoon-style, grayscale illustrations enhance the text with happy, joyful art.

While I don’t see this book flying off the shelf every week, I feel this book and the series, a wonderful addition to libraries promoting understanding of all different cultures

[Kay S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I actually wish it was longer, that the powwow scenes were more fulsome (but I understand the rapid passing of time due to fun). The indigenous-kid-in-the-city seems really big in kidlit this year but I think this was exceptionally successful in showing how much of a young child's identity can be wrapped up in indigenous-ness and how different it can be moving to the city. Sarah is young enough that the adults in her life seem caring and compassionate, even if the kids think she's weird.

I loved how parts of this were so normal - kids frustrated about parents' working, being made fun of, making friends, comfort items - while others were so steeped in the life Sarah had before her move to the city.

It could just be the proof, but I really wish there was a pronunciation guide/glossary for the different animals and their names (I got most of them, thanks David Robertson, but for first time readers the terms could be intimidating). I can't wait for the next one!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m thankful for authors like Cree-Scottish Sita MacMillan who write authentic, relatable adventure stories such as her debut early chapter book Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow. The interior illustrations by Plains Cree Azby Whitecalf are black and white but so lively you imagine they are as vibrantly coloured as the stunning cover.

Readers will root for Sarah in her struggles to adjust to a new home and community and cheer as she discovers a deeper connection and love for her Indigenous culture. This story is a fun way to grow one's Cree vocabulary (Glossary included) and understanding of a powwow.

How wonderful to know this is book one in the series with more engaging stories about Sarah to come. Highly recommended!

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book -- I love that Sarah has such a loving relationship with her mother and her grandmother. I love that this book includes so much Cree language. I also love that there's a lot for kids to think about in here -- is Sarah being fair to her new classmates? Are other kids being mean, or is Sarah just struggling to find things in common or turned off by sensory differences? I love her first pow-wow and the experiences she has there. Lots of heart here, and lots of experiences that kids can relate to.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Sarah has moved away from her friends and started in another school, where she feels different and as though she doesn't fit in. She keeps touch with her cultural roots and has a magical adventure. She also meets a friend who is brave and helps her find her similarities with her new friends.
This is a great book on how your cultural heritage can help you keep your confidence while meeting new people. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute story of a girl who's had a lot of recent changes in her life when she moves to a new city and a new school, and is away from family members and her community. She goes on an adventure to learn about powwow's with her animal friend Ahasiw, and to embrace the culture that her khokum has taught her. Sarah is often anxious in the book, but acts brave and takes chances to learn about herself, and even makes a new friend as well.

Love the illustrations as well.

[Chris G.]

Sarah, a young Cree girl, has just moved to the city and is missing her grandmother and her best friend. Her new school is daunting and it’s hard to make friends, but a vivid dream of attending a powwow and dancing with animals come to life gives Sarah confidence in her own cultural identity. First in a new early reader series. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, important, but I'm not sure how universal the appeal. I do like that it's not so much the other children's fault that she doesn't like school; they're not all that mean, really, just a little heedless.

"... sometimes it is better to listen than talk when I am looking for answers."

[Eden Bryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jr Read
Okay! I went in blind, a colleague recommended this book to me.
What a delight.
Sarah is new to the city and is having trouble fitting in.
She gets to experience a very special powwow and her whole perspective changes
I’d read this to my class

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver Birch Express Nominee 2025

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute early chapter book with a main character who is Indigenous. This does a good job of introducing some Cree words, as well as creating a relatable character, but the plot is a little thin.

[Mikayla Robertson]

I volunteered to read this book for my schools forest of reading program so the kids have someone to ask them questions about the book!

[Jaelynne Wormenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excited to add this to my school library

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent beginning chapter book dealing with how hard it is to move and start o er at a new school

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book all about the First Nations experience as encountered by a young girl today, but one that could have been better. I had issues with the main character – for all she might be realistic, she is away with the fairies in school and not engaging, and then quibbling about what happens when she doesn't engage, and then – when given the best experience of the first powwow a girl could have – she is still thinking about writing to the best friend she misses. Can she not just live in the moment for a time?!

That powwow is the point of this, the first in at least a trilogy of books discovering the problems a girl in a modern city has in getting in touch with her heritage, and vice versa. And it's also what makes this for a distinctive, minor audience as opposed to a larger, general one (minor in size, not importance or any other parameter, of course). There was no glossary present, and none mentioned in the plans for the series, so children of Cree origin can get the most of this, and others of us are left in their dust as they march through these pages. Still, at least they see themselves, they can learn about or re-experience some of their important cultural beats, and they can probably gain a lot of comfort from the end moral. All in all many would have to think of this as a problem, or a failure to open up for a wide audience; but for the specific few it's targeted at it will definitely be a four star success.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about staying true to yourself even when your surroundings change.