Horn Book

Swift Fox's dad is coming to visit. Unlike their usual visits, today Dad will be driving her to meet her family on the reserve: "Today you're going to learn how to be Mi'kmaq." The girl is apprehensive ("What's Mi'kmaq?") and her father's response doesn't help: "It's how you walk, talk, and think." When she gets to her family's home, she is greeted by aunts, uncles, and cousins. The earth-toned, digital-looking illustrations depict a family of varying skin tones, hair colors, and textures; Swift Fox can easily see the resemblance among them and to herself. However, her uncertainty about the unfamiliar smudging ceremony leads her to run from the house. Eventually the smell of her dad's fry bread -- something warm and familiar -- brings her back. Readers can relate to the fear of meeting new people and learning new traditions; throughout the illustrations there are butterflies, a reminder of how the character's "belly fills with" them. The story authentically depicts how a child might feel being introduced to a culture that they haven't had the opportunity to participate in regularly. In the author's note, we learn that Thomas grew up "off-reserve," and that, like Swift Fox's father, her dad did his best to teach her what it means to be Mi'kmaq. Nicholl Denice Montgomery

Kirkus Reviews

A Mi'kmaw girl meets extended family for the first time.Despite her father's reassurances, Swift Fox feels nervous meeting her dad's side of the family. When the two finally arrive where her relatives live, Swift Fox still worries they won't like her, and she hesitates to enter the house. Though family members welcome her, Swift Fox feels "all the eyes in the room" looking at her, and when it comes time to smudge, her fears of not knowing how to be Mi'kmaq materialize. Tears surfacing, she runs out the door to hide. When a boy who clearly has a "belly full of butterflies, too" arrives, Swift Fox comes out of hiding. But it takes the familiar smells of her favorite bread frying in the pan and a deeper, inner resolve to motivate her to go back. Animation-style illustrations give the story a filmic quality, enhancing characters' movements and emotions. Additionally, they add to the text by reflecting the diversity of many First Nations and other Native families: Swift Fox and cousin Sully have freckles, another unnamed cousin has darker skin and more textured, tightly curled hair, and Swift Fox's aunt wears her hair closely cropped with a slight pompadour while displaying her tattoos. Moments of material culture embedded in the images balance well with the Mi'kmaq words "Nsim" and "Kwe" rooted in the text. An author's note reveals the biographical roots of this tale that teaches children to be proud of their identities.Highlights the importance of connections to culture and self. (Picture book. 4-7)

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

When Swift Fox-s father takes her on a journey to meet her Indigenous relatives, he promises that she-ll learn how to be Mi-kmaq and that being Mi-kmaq is already -what-s inside you.- She-s never met her aunties, uncles, and cousins, and she-s scared that she won-t belong. As the day passes, the butterflies in her stomach grow larger and her fears are realized (-I can-t believe she didn-t know how to smudge,- a cousin says). McKibbin (who is Ojibwe and Yoeme) offers saturated illustrations that clearly convey the main character-s trepidation through facial expressions. Spotting the animals on every page, especially Swift Fox-s butterflies, adds another layer to the reader-s experience. Debut author Thomas (registered with Lennox Island First Nation) leaves much unexplained, including why Swift Fox-s father hasn-t previously introduced her to his family. Dedicating her book to -every Indigenous kid and adult who had to seek out where they came from- and revealing the book-s provenance in an author-s note, she shows the real anxiety of not belonging, and many children will find a welcome reflection of real feelings in Swift Fox-s worries. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2020)

K-Gr 3 A Mi'kmaq girl meets her Native family for the first time and finds a way to connect with her heritage to complete a traditional ritual. Swift Fox is nervous about meeting her father's relatives. Her father assures her that being Mi'kmaq is inside her, but when faced with new family and requested to smudge (complete a ritual) she panics and runs. When another hesitant new cousin arrives, she finds the courage to lead him inside, and they both smudge for the first time. The text is straightforward and child-oriented, capturing Swift Fox's voice and fears effectively. The illustrations use point of view to keep Swift Fox in the center of the story, and McKibbin captures her emotions perfectly. The slightly dark green and earth-toned color palette fit the story well. The lack of explanation of smudging or more details about being Mi'kmaq may lead those unfamiliar with the culture to seek additional resources. VERDICT This is a straightforward tale of a girl finding her way into a culture that is her heritage, yet new to her. As such, it works effectively. This may suit libraries in need of more modern Native picture books with child appeal. Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Lib., CT