Title: THE EAGLE MOTHER
Series: MOTHERS OF XSAN SERIES – BOOK THREE
Author: HETXW’MS GYETXW (BRETT D. HUSON)
Illustrator: NATASHA DONOVAN
Genre: NON-FICTION, MIDDLE GRADE NON-FICTION, MULTICULTURAL INTEREST, INDIGENOUS NON-FICTION, CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION
Length: 32 PAGES
Publisher: HIGHWATER PRESS – A Division of PORTAGE AND MAIN PRESS
Received From: NETGALLEY
Release Date: APRIL 28, 2020
ISBN: 9781553798590 (Hardcover)
Price: $23.00 USD (Hardcover)
Rating: 5+ OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
DESCRIPTION:
Return to the valleys of the River of Mists with award-winning author Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson).
Nox xsgyaak, the eagle mother, cares for her brood in the embrace of a black cottonwood with the help of her mate.
Will both eaglets survive the summer in an environment that is both delicate and unforgiving?
Learn about the life cycle of these stunning birds of prey, the traditions of the Gitxsan, and how bald eagles can enrich their entire ecosystem.
Evocative illustration brings the Xsan’s flora and fauna to life for middle years readers in book three of the Mothers of Xsan series.
*A Note From the Publisher *
Other Titles in the Mothers of Xsan series include:
The Wolf Mother [forthcoming]
The Frog Mother [forthcoming]
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MY REVIEW:
THE EAGLE MOTHER is a stunningly beautiful illustrated non-fiction book.
THE EAGLE MOTHER is a feast for the eyes and for the soul.
It is the story explaining the life cycle of a female eagle as well as the story of how everything is connected.
An example of what I mean by that is that both the words and the illustrations show how the fish caught by the mother eagle is brought by her to the nest to feed her babies, the bones and other detritus are discarded on the ground around the trunk of the cottonwood tree holding the nest. This in turn leads to a rich mixture of soil encouraging plant growth. There are several other examples of the circular cycle of life detailed in the text, as well as in illustrated form.
Where words appear that may be new, or unfamiliar, included on that page is a box containing the words and their definitions. This is a wonderful touch.
The only area I could possibly come up with as needing improvement would be the inclusion of a text box, similar to the one containing definitions, that listed the Gitxsan words alongside how to pronounce them phonetically. I would love to know that I am reading the words correctly when reading this book to my children and/or grandchildren.
This book is available in eBook format as well as in printed form. I based my review on the eBook version, but the illustrations are so gorgeous that I have decided to purchase it in printed form as well.
I have not yet had the pleasure of reading the other two books in the MOTHERS OF XSAN Series, but I plan to read and review each of them. Also, coming soon are two more book in the series. Their titles are: THE WOLF MOTHER and THE FROG MOTHER.
This book (in fact, the entire ‘Mothers of Xsan’ series) should be available at every Canadian library, and in every Canadian school. Parents who want their children to learn about the animal kingdom as well as learn about different cultures should order this book immediately.
I rate this children’s non-fiction book as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
**** Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book.****
P.S. Since I READ CANADIAN DAY is only two days away, this book series would be perfect as your choice for that day.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
HETXW’MS GYETXW also known as Brett D. Huson (he/him/his), is from the Gitxsan Nation of the Northwest Interior of British Columbia, Canada.
Growing up in this strong matrilineal society, Brett developed a passion for the culture, land, and politics of his people, and a desire to share their knowledge and stories.
Brett has worked in the film and television industry, and has volunteered for such organizations as Ka Ni Kanichihk and Indigenous Music Manitoba.
The Sockeye Mother (winner of The Science Writers and Communicators Book Award) was Brett’s first book for children.
To learn more about this author, visit the following links:
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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
NATASHA DONOVAN (she/her/hers) is a freelance artist and illustrator from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Her sequential work has been published in The Other Side and This Place: 150 Years Retold anthologies.
She is the illustrator of the award-winning graphic novel Surviving the City, as well as the award-winning children’s book, The Sockeye Mother (shortlisted for the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction), the first book in the Mothers of Xsan series.
Natasha is a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia.
To learn more about this Illustrator, visit the following links:
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
Portage & Main Press (PMP) is an educational publisher of K-12 resources including the curriculum-based Hands-On series and professional resources for inclusive and diverse classrooms.
HighWater Press (HWP), an imprint of PMPM, publishes a wide range of award-winning Indigenous-authored stories. These authentic stories, told by some of Canada’s most recognized Indigenous writers, include globally relevant social justice themes and the re-telling of historical events. HWP’s vibrant and thought-provoking books include a rich mix of non-fiction, novels, graphic novels, and children’s literature.
To learn more about this Publisher, visit the following links:
“I Read Canadian Day” and you may win a bookish prize.
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