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For Young Readers: “Berry Song” by MICHAELA GOADE
May-June 2023 Featured Book for young readers
FOR YOUNG READERS: Berry Song BY Michaela Goade
About the story: “On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries. . . . Through the seasons, they sing to the land as the land sings to them. Brimming with joy and gratitude, in every step of their journey, they forge a deeper kinship with both the earth and the generations that came before, joining in the song that connects us all. Michaela Goade's luminous rendering of water and forest, berries and jams glows with her love of the land and offers an invitation to readers to deepen their own relationship with the earth.” Learn more on the book’s page.
Intended age: elementary school and younger
Why Carolyn picked this story to feature: Everyone loves berries, and I think most people are excited about going into a wild space and finding berries in nature. Berries—sweet, tasty, gorgeous berries, hiding in bushes around the next bend in the trail. They feel like a gift you receive, and are an excellent place to start a conversation with kids about giving back to the Earth. I love that this book takes everyone’s love of berries and then uses it to share deeper parts of the Tlingit culture. Wrapped up in this short children’s book is gratitude to the Earth for all that she provides, love for family and time spent with loved ones, a grandmother teaching a child who then teaches her younger sister, and delight at being outdoors. The illustrations in this book are just lovely—they wrap you up in forest joy!
Quote we love:
“Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry, Huckleberry, Soapberry, Strawberry, Crowberry.
The berries sing to us, glowing like little jewels.
We sing too, so berry—and bear—know we are here.
//
Huckleberry, Soapberry, Strawberry, Crowberry.
Thimbleberry, Swampberry, Bogberry, Chalkberry.
The forest sings to us,
through misting rain
and whoosh of wing,
the sweet smell of cedar
and the tickle of moss.
We sing too, so the land
knows we are grateful.”
Other Resources:
Author website: michaelagoade.com
Book trailer for BERRY SONG by Michaela Goade.
Bookshelf Artwork by Green Sparrow Arts
