A review by thatsoneforthebooks
Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson
5.0
I love this children's book from Art Coulson (Cherokee) in which Bo, a Cherokee kid ("atsutsa" or "chooch"), searches for a container to display his hand-painted marbles for an upcoming holiday celebration. Bo's grandma ("elisi") tells him the display can't be too big and gives him a mat to show him the size his container can be. Bo, by trial and error, tries out different containers from around his home until he finds the perfect one.
Where this book shines is in its integration of Cherokee words and phrases throughout the book. The words aren't defined in the book, but are defined in the back of the book in a glossary ("dikaneisdi"). I appreciated that this brought in a hybrid language as would commonly be spoken in bilingual homes.
The book ends with fun extension activities extending spatial awareness and reasoning, as well as more information about Cherokee marbles ("digadayosdi"). I love that it situated Bo and his family in the modern world, showing life of a contemporary Cherokee family. Great book - I'll definitely be recommending!
Where this book shines is in its integration of Cherokee words and phrases throughout the book. The words aren't defined in the book, but are defined in the back of the book in a glossary ("dikaneisdi"). I appreciated that this brought in a hybrid language as would commonly be spoken in bilingual homes.
The book ends with fun extension activities extending spatial awareness and reasoning, as well as more information about Cherokee marbles ("digadayosdi"). I love that it situated Bo and his family in the modern world, showing life of a contemporary Cherokee family. Great book - I'll definitely be recommending!