Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1995)

Swamp, from the Mohawk Nation, adapts an ancient message that expresses appreciation for Mother Earth and the many aspects of the natural world that his people consider her gifts--a message still recited at Iroquois ceremonial and governmental gatherings. Printup, a Cayuga-Tuscarora painter, uses highly saturated colors and geometric forms to illustrate Earth's bounties. The message appears in the Mohawk language on the last page.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Simple, timeless language bears witness to the Native American reverence for the natural world,"""" wrote PW of this Iroquois salute to Mother Earth. All ages. (Sept.)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3--Drawing on Six Nation (Iroquois) ceremonial tradition, the text speaks concise thanks to Mother Earth, to water, grass fruits, animals, to the wind and rain, sun, moon and stars, to the Spirit Protectors of our past and present, for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony,'' and to the Great Spirit, giver of all. The simplicity and familiarity of the message do not diminish the moving effect of the lengthening catalog of blessings. At first glance, the art, while colorful and very legible, seems overly conventional; closer inspection, however, reveals an interesting use of pattern in the faces of both humans and animals, variation between distant landscape and close-up still-life composition, and a satisfying buildup of momentum to the dramatic, fire-lit night scene of the final invocation to the spirits. The entire text is reproduced in Mohawk on the last page (without a pronunciation guide, alas). A brief prefatory note makes the very valuable suggestion that the giving of thanks should be a daily, rather than a rare, activity. This book is not just for theNative American shelf'': its contribution is more inspirational than ethnographic.--Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Kirkus Reviews

From the Iroquois, or Six Nations native people, comes Swamp and Printup's first picture book, an adaptation of the Mohawk Thanksgiving Address. The words of this ancient message of appreciation for Earth's bounty are taught to children to utter upon rising, and it is a lovely way of taking stock, of getting situated in the cosmic scheme of things: The waters are thanked, as are the animals, trees, wind, rain, sun, moon, and stars. Swamp has made the address accessible to all ages (``. . . thanks to the green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor'') without hindering its easy reverence. Printup deploys, apparently, all the colors in nature in rendering the serenely sleek, stylized illustrations. A basic Mohawk language version of the text appears at the end of the book. A simple, tender celebration of good fortune. (Picture book. 3-8)"

ALA Booklist (Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 1995)

To be a human being is an honor, and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts of life. So begins this Mohawk message of gratitude for the natural world, broadening a more common practice of giving thanks for material possessions or personal well-being. Chief Swamp (Tekaronianeken) uses simple, direct words to offer thanks for Mother Earth, animals, plants, winds, and the moon and stars. Full-color paintings fill the double-page spreads with images that add strength and vitality to the brief text. A basic version of the text in the kaniakehala (Mohawk) language is appended. A solid multicultural addition for picture-book collections. (Reviewed Oct. 15. 1995)