Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story

by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis C. Bunten

In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn the story of Weeâchumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving.

The Thanksgiving story that most Americans know celebrates the Pilgrims. But without members of the Wampanoag tribe who already lived on the land where the Pilgrims settled, the Pilgrims would never have made it through their first winter. And without Weeâchumun (corn), the Native people wouldn't have helped.

An important picture book honoring both the history and tradition that surrounds the story of the first Thanksgiving.

Genres: Picture Books, Thanksgiving, History, Indigenous, Native American, Childrens, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am grateful I was able to add this to our Thanksgiving reading this season to share the First Peoples perspective of “the first Thanksgiving” written by a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation. It is geared to first and second graders so the emphasis on the guardian spirit of Weeâchumun (Corn) and her sisters (Beans and Squash) and the animals of the woodland really works here as it beautifully illustrates the Wampanoag belief that “guardian spirits take the form of animals and plants” to “watch over human beings.” We see how Weeâchumun and the other guardian spirits help not only the First Peoples but also the newcomers (pilgrims) by providing them with nourishing food and by encouraging friendly relations. I almost felt that this was strong enough without needing to be bracketed by the present-day children hearing the story from their grandmother, but I appreciate why this element was added as it showcases the very important oral storytelling tradition as well as reminds today’s non-Native audiences that the Wampanoag are still here. I appreciate that, for this young audience, the story doesn’t dwell too much on dark subjects and is, instead, more a celebration of the giving spirit of the First Peoples and it can be a springboard for further discussion depending on the readiness of the audience. For example, it does mention how that three day feast of thanksgiving “Changed both our lives and theirs forever. Many Americans call it a day of thanksgiving. Many of our people call it a day of mourning.”
The back matter includes the following brief but helpful sections: About the Wampanoag Tribes, The Wampanoag Storytelling Tradition, Wampanoag Harvest Feasts, Try a Wampanoag Tradition of Giving Thanks, Make a Wampanoag Recipe (Nasamp), and Meet Maple and Quill (the real-life counterparts to the children in the story). Intro contains “Before You Begin” and “Important Words to Know” including pronunciation guide.
While perhaps not initially as emotionally impactful as I had expected this to be, it has stayed with me in a surprisingly strong way, and I feel it is a very important addition to the Thanksgiving picture book line-up and do highly recommend it.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was super excited to read this book. I grew up in Wamapanoag ancestral territory, I've been to Plimoth Patuxet enough times to know the stories from both the English and Wampanoag perspectives. I was curious to see what the Mashpee storytellers had to say now.

It's a good take on the story of why the Wampanoag chose to help the English. No judgements, no real specifics on what the colonists' intensions with that feast were. It's told as a folktale to contemporary children about their traditional religion. Their Creator tells them to help living things so they did. They didn't KNOW if the strangers understood how to care of the land the way the Wampanoag did but they had to try to help because people help people and in turn people care for the plants and animals and the earth.

The book serves the purpose to share the story of Thanksgiving from a Native perspective and also to show that the Wampanoag are still here. There's a prevailing myth that they all died off, which isn't true. Many were sold into slavery, survivors intermingled with the African population and some now have casinos, including the Masphee!

The front and backmatter include a lot of good information. I liked the glossary. So many of the words are used daily around here but none of us really know how to pronounce them correctly. Is it Mass-a-SOIT or Mass-a-SOit? I've actually heard both from the Wampanoag. The map is lacking though. It's missing a chunk of what is now Rhode Island (previously southeastern, Mass.) where the Seekonk Wampanoag are from and where Massasoit's son, King Philip, had his seat and where he was assasinated at the end of the 1675-1676 war. It seems to me, if I were Wampanoag, I would want Mount Hope on the map! https://sowamsheritagearea.org/wp/mt-...

The illustrations are OK but not really my cup of tea but it's worth reading this book and using it in the classroom.

For those who read and enjoy this book and want to learn more, I highly recommend visiting Plimoth Patuxet in Plymouth, Massachusetts and also the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, located on the Pequot reservation, next to Foxwoods casino. If someone you are traveling with wants to gamble and you don't, the museum will take you longer to walk through than it will your travel partner to lose all their money. ;-) I saw there's also a small museum on the Mohegan reservation as well. I haven't been there, just to the casino arena.

If you can't make it here to New England, the Wampanoag have a YouTube channel sharing their story, 400 years of history.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

This site is also great
https://sowamsheritagearea.org

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

My wife and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary by reading picture books aloud to each other. (4 of 5)

A retelling of the first Thanksgiving from the perspective of the Wampanoag people featuring the Three Sisters -- the spiritual embodiment of the corn, beans, and squash that were the backbone of indigenous agriculture -- and the drive to share knowledge with the floundering colonists.

Very enlightening and educational.

[Rajani LaRocca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations about the first Thanksgiving from the perspective of the Wampanoag, told in the way of the First Peoples. This New England Book Award winner is must-read for everyone.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the true story of Thanksgiving, not from the first European settlers´ opinion, but from the one of the First Peoples, here the Wampanaog. Their people helped the settlers plant corn, beans and squash to survive. This story is told by a Grandma to two of her grandchildren and shows another perspective to this traditional holiday. Sadly it´s in the end called a day of mourning, very probably because of the wrong done to the First Peoples. The explanation of words in their language and a glossary are interesting for young children to read with their parents or for older pupils. The illustrations are amazing, also capturing a tradition of the style of the Woodlands.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive!
Stunning!
Dreamy perfect!

Thank you, Charlesbridge, for the advance reading copy.

This book is a gem! I absolutely love the way of how this important story is being portrayed. A Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition. The kids are learning about corn and Thanksgiving from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe adults.

An eye opener as well as an amazing story everyone should read.

The pages are eye-popping and the presentation is so good.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

In America, the story of the first Thanksgiving is drilled into our heads from childhood, so it is great that this book takes the view of the native people, the Weeachumun, the People of the First Light, who were living there first.

Without their help, the people known as the Pilgrims would have all died of starvation. This book celebrates how the people and the plants and the animals came together to help these people, and thus give them food to celebrate with.

Beautiful retelling, though sad at the same time.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Deborah]

Beautifully fills a sad gap on the Thanksgiving-bookshelf.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keepunumuk is a Wampanaog telling of the first thanksgiving. The story, told in Wampanaog tradition, shows how the First Peoples helped settlers avoid starvation during their first winter on First Peoples' land.

This story is beautifully told, and beautifully illustrated. Prior to the telling of the story, information about the Wampanaog, including a language guide, is provided. The information provided is presented clearly, in an easy-to-digest format, and helps those who are not familiar with Wampanaog language and tradition immerse themselves in the story.

The story itself is simultaneously rich and heartbreaking. The story hints at the tragic events that the First Peoples faced (and continue to face) as a result of colonization. However, this story shows that First Peoples are still here and that their voices are still strong.

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the ARC of this book.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanksgiving in the American media is always shown from the white pilgrims' perspective, never from the indigenous natives' POV. In Keepunumuk, the authors are trying to show the arrival of the pilgrims and their settling down on the First Peoples' lands, as well as cultivating them. From the perspective of the Wampanoag tribe's history, we see the three sisters, corn, bean, and squash, be harvested and then used in a three-day celebratory meal between the pilgrims and the First Peoples who graciously taught the newcomers how to cultivate these unknown crops. This is a wonderful story with great illustrations and history of the Wampanoag tribe, one of the many Native American tribes. I learnt a lot.

Thank you, NetGalley and Charlesbridge, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten for sharing the real story of the first Thanksgiving and to Garry Meeches Sr. for his evocative illustrations. The book jacket reads that "his style is reminiscent of the Plains style of art and evokes the Eastern Woodlands tradition." Each author and Meeches are members of various Indigenous nations. As you see from the sub-title, this is Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story. Weeâchumun means corn, and along with its two sisters, Beans and Squash, it shares what happens when a large boat with white sails is spotted coming to shore and the two winters after. The authors let a modern-day Wampamoag family tell some of the tale along with Weeâchumun. There is an intro, words to know, and added information in the back matter, including a recipe. It is a book for every household to read together and learn the true history of that first feast.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please don't misunderstand my rating. This is, in one sense, a five star book. It's an absolutely necessary acquisition for every library and school. And it's a book every family (and everyone else) should read. It's accessible, straightforward, #OwnVoices, and doesn't pick on white people nearly enough (imo).

But imo it's only a start. It's not all that interesting to me, nor beautiful, poetic, subtle, resonant.... I want more. Please, publishers, know that teachers & parents are desperate for stories for young children that tell the truth about the first thanksgiving. Bring us more, and bring us even better ones.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great picture book about the first Thanksgiving Story through the Keepunumuk Weeachumun's point of view. They call the story the First Harvest and it is how they helped the new settlers who came to their land even though many thought it was not a good idea. I thought it was beautifully written and the illustrations were beautiful. I also love how children can learn a new language and how there were some recipes at the end.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

In mainstream culture, we almost always hear a sanitized version of the first Thanksgiving, focused on the pilgrims' experience. This book is told from the Wampanaog peoples' perspective--too long ignored--and is steeped in their culture.

[Homopoda davidbowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - I wish the fact that Thanksgiving is a day of mourning for many indigenous people was included more in the story, and how disrespectful the colonizers were to the Native Americans and their land. It was nice to have it at the end, but a lot of people likely won't read it extra details. Those of us who live here today on stolen land need to be open in talking about what really happened, and subsequently how we can change and rectify moving forward.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope books like this one are being added to classrooms.

[Cheyenne Hamel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful description of earth and animals helping the newcomers but lacked more explanation in the storyline of why the day is considered a day of mourning by some (only explained in epilogue section)

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, this is the perfect book to introduce children of all ages [and adults as well] to the real story of the first Thanksgiving and why it is important to know the truth of that time and why it is still so important to fight for the First People's rights.

Told in a frank, but simple way [highlighting the First People's belief's in the elements, food and ancestor spirits and that they live among them and guide them daily - this is actually some of the coolest parts of the story], with a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the story [and highlighting why it is still so important for the First People's to keep their language and for the rest of us to use it properly] and a summary of what the story means at the end [and why the authors are telling this story in this form], this book is a must-read. It is so well done and I am beyond grateful to have gotten a chance to read this. It is absolutely a book I will be revisiting.

Thank you to NetGalley, Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis C. Bunten, Garry Meeches - Illustrator and Charlesbridge for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful, beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of our first Thanksgiving from the point of view of the Wampanoag, or the first people’s tribe (their name means “People of the First Light”), who met the Pilgrim Fathers and welcomed them … exquisite …

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to find a Thanksgiving story that wasn’t just another rehashing of the whitewashed version you typically hear/read, but still age-appropriate for my small children, and this was pretty much exactly what I was looking for!

It tells how the spirit Weeâchumun (corn) asked the Wampanoag to help the Pilgrims when they first arrived to the Americas. It also does a good job illustrating how the First Peoples were more attuned to nature than the Europeans.

I know I said I wanted something that wasn’t too grim for the kids, but I felt like it was odd when the authors wrote, Many Americans call it a day of thanksgiving. Many of our people call it a day of mourning, but didn’t elaborate. The children who are being the story in the book then reply, “That’s different from what we learn in school,” but then don’t ask their grandmother to explain what she means about it being a day of mourning?

One other thing is that it would have been useful to have some kind of pronunciation guide. I hope no one would actually say it’s disrespectful to mispronounce a name from another language, but I do feel that a way a little when I cannot. The grandmother’s name had an 8 in it, and I honestly wasn’t sure if that was a typo or not.

Still, those are minor issues. It may not have quite the emotional resonation I was hoping for, but it is very educational for children, and it is always good to look at our history as written by groups other than the majority.

[Michael Dean Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Danielle Greendeer and the others for this dramatic retelling of how the Wampanoag First Peoples and the Three Sisters, Corn, Beans, and Squash, taught the newcomers to survive in their land, now southern Massachusetts. This was The Mourning Time, later called Thanksgiving by descendants of the newcomers.

The Keepunumuk, or Good Harvest, demonstrates how folk traditions are in constant flux and development. Even when lost for a time, they are pregnant with spirit, awaiting rebirth, retelling! The Skandinavian skalds, for instance, enjoy the same liberties when adapting traditional tales to local conditions and to the needs of local audiences. Storytellers among many First Nations, Native Americans, keep traditions alive in similar ways. First Peoples also have other means to preserve stories in precise ways, metered verse or using bead and shell work to weave patterns to record complex ideas for ritual or civic purposes. However, in this storytelling, it is enough to seize upon a blending of traditional telling and modern preservation methods to keep the spirit of the People and Wampanoag Nation alive, particularly for those who are the dreams and hopes of their ancestors, the children.

This retelling is for children, grades 2-4.
Five Stars ***** for inviting us to listen and learn, and to join in the wonder of children :)
Salembard,, Dean Edwards, 2023

[Nella ☾ of Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

National American Indian Heritage Month 2023 Read #5 🍁

Growing up, I was taught this sugar-coated version of the First Thanksgiving; that the pilgrims and Native Americans worked together peacefully and their solidarity was celebrated in one bountiful meal. I think this book represents the beginning of shattering this misconception. The upcoming generations deserve to be taught the truth about Thanksgiving.

[Tibbara's Den · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, the artwork is stunning. I really love how it was done and not only complemented the writing but really told the story on its own. I love the different perspective of Thanksgiving being told from an Indigenous pov. I really loved the three sisters element and how the corn and the animals play a part it the story.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book to introduce the littles in your life to Thanksgiving in a Native-centric story, this is a great choice. Focuses on the nobility and generosity of the First Nations; a great discussion starter.

[Nathan Potthoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Son loved it.
The art is great.
Shows the reality of the first Thanksgiving in a way that is approachable, appropriate and truthful for all ages.

[Ana Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork is beautiful and the story is simple, sweet, and subtly informative. There's also wonderful bit of additional information at the start and end of the story too. Excellent book!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Thanksgiving story, told from the point of view of the Wampanoag tribe.

[Kat (kvcatnip) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a vital perspective on the Thanksgiving story we all know, from the Indigenous point of view. History is not one-sided, and it's important to remember that when teaching children. I'm grateful that this book exists, and will continue to recommend it.

[BA Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations and the words captivated me; this is a beautiful book with an important story and information about the First People's time of harvest, providing their perspective of the first Thanksgiving. I am excited to add this book, written and illustrated by Indigenous artists, to the children's bookshelf in the bookstore I manage.

[Chloe Scragg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book provides children of all ages [and adults as well] with a deeper understanding of how critical it is to know the truth about the first Thanksgiving and why it is still so imperative for the First People to be recognised and protected.

I really loved and appreciated the use of different fonts that are used between the present time and the story. I also appreciated how the author included a photo of herself and her grandchildren in the back matter as well as more information, a recipe, and a biography.