The very name "Christmas" denotes that it is a Christ-centered, Christian holiday. Today's world has caused an evolution socially of "Christmas" into a one-and-all holiday celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike but for different reasons.
Christmas for the Christian denotes reverence for the Advent of the Christ Child. Christmas for the non-believer denotes a season of joy, festivities, family togetherness, and gifting.
An Anishinaabe Christmas
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| ISBN: 9781774883570 US $18.99 | CAN $24.99 Tundra Books |
My thoughts: This is an interesting children's story about a family of indigenous, aboriginal folks living in Canada. The family is going to travel to their "roots" on the Rez and enjoy an Anishinaabe Christmas. The story is where "baby" doesn't know how Santa will know to bring their gifts if they're away from home.
As the story progresses, we see that the culture of Anishinaabe is much like big-city or township cultures in the nature of what "home" is to a family. As they travel, they talk about bears, their culture's "circle," and how the bear is included. Other sweet aspects of home, family, culture are part of this lovely story. And yes, baby does receive his Santa gifts.
I like that descendants of an "original peoples" group, aboriginal, or indigenous peoples like the Anishinaabe (indigenous to North America) are having printed materials that pass along their heritage to them as well as to non-indigenous peoples.
About the book: A festive, joyful Indigenous picture book that explores both Christmas traditions and Anishinaabe culture, for fans of Santa in the City and Go Show the World. One winter solstice, Mommy says, "Baby, we're going home to the Rez. We're going to have an Anishinaabe Christmas." But this is Baby's first Christmas away from the city, and they're worried! They have a lot of will Santa know where to find them? Why do we have presents on Christmas? How come they're going home to the Rez but don't live there? On the long trip to Mooshom's and Kookom's, Baby learns about animals and plants being part of their family, about the North Star leading them home and even the meanings of some Anishinaabe words. Will this Anishinaabe Christmas be Baby's best yet?
I won a copy on the LibraryThing.com Early Reviewer's Program. A review was requested though not required. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
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