Grandma's Tipi: A Present-Day Lakota Story

by S. D. Nelson Narrated by Jashaun St. John

Overview

Now that Clara is almost in third grade, she's finally old enough to spend her first summer away from home visiting her grandma, Unci, and her cousin at their home in Standing Rock Reservation. To welcome her visit, Uncle Louie brings an extra-special surprise in his pickup truck: the tipi that's been passed down through their family for generations. The girls learn how to stack the poles and wrap the canvas covering around them, how to paint spirit pictures on its walls, and how the circle of the tipi tells its own story, reminding us to how to live in the great Circle of Life. Over long days spent playing outside, doing beadwork together, telling stories, singing songs, and sleeping under the stars, the tipi brings the family closer together. As summer draws to an end, goodbye comes all too soon, but Clara will always cling to the memories of summer days and starry nights...and Grandma's tipi.

Editorial Reviews

The Horn Book Magazine

Nelson’s vibrant illustrations are stylized to reflect Lakota ledger drawings. He effortlessly blends this art style into his realistic, authentic depictions of modern Lakota life.”

Booklist

"This recent creation from acclaimed and prolific author/illustrator Nelson will make for an entertaining and informative read-aloud."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Representations of contemporary Native American life are sorely needed on children’s literature shelves, and this extended picture book lovingly chronicles daily life on the reservation as it follows one family’s summer of activities, all centered around the sacred cultural space of a tipi."

Kirkus

"Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux) depicts his people’s customs with reverence…When Clara’s time on the Standing Rock Reservation comes to an end, the rich lessons of her heritage stay with her—just as they will with young readers, who will be drawn in by both Nelson’s moving narration and glowing images."

From the Publisher

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Representations of contemporary Native American life are sorely needed on children’s literature shelves, and this extended picture book lovingly chronicles daily life on the reservation as it follows one family’s summer of activities, all centered around the sacred cultural space of a tipi."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Nelson’s vibrant illustrations are stylized to reflect Lakota ledger drawings. He effortlessly blends this art style into his realistic, authentic depictions of modern Lakota life.”
—The Horn Book Magazine

"Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux) depicts his people’s customs with reverence…When Clara’s time on the Standing Rock Reservation comes to an end, the rich lessons of her heritage stay with her—just as they will with young readers, who will be drawn in by both Nelson’s moving narration and glowing images." —Kirkus

"This recent creation from acclaimed and prolific author/illustrator Nelson will make for an entertaining and informative read-aloud."—Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

2023-04-12
Two young Lakota children learn about their Indigenous culture from loving elders.

Clara can’t wait for an extended summer visit with her cousin Juniper and their unci (grandma) on the Standing Rock Reservation. The excitement only builds when Uncle Louie arrives in his red pickup with “a large canvas-cloth bundle” and “poles, as long as could be”—the family’s tipi, of which Unci is the keeper. Unci teaches Clara and Juniper through storytelling about “the circle of our tipi” and its connection to Cangleska Wakan, or the “Sacred Hoop.” Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux) depicts his people’s customs with reverence; from burning sweetgrass to painting the canvas walls with spirit pictures, the grandchildren’s cultural inheritance is illustrated with warm, beautifully textured details. Under Unci and Uncle Louie’s loving guidance, Clara and Juniper learn more of their Lakota traditions: drying meat into bah-pah (jerky), beading necklaces and traditional dresses, and the hilarious antics of heyokas (sacred clowns). These practices have endured over time, just like the family tipi, built to withstand heat, wind, and rain. When Clara’s time on the Standing Rock Reservation comes to an end, the rich lessons of her heritage stay with her—just as they will with young readers, who will be drawn in by both Nelson’s moving narration and glowing images. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A love letter to Lakota traditions. (author’s note, photographs) (Picture book. 5-10)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178389072
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	05/09/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

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