pêyak little duck

by Sandra Lamouche, Mando Littlechild (Illustrator)

Overview

Let's go on a walk and practice our language!

What birds will we see? I see one sîsîp / pêyak little duck!

In a celebration of the connection between language learning and the land, a young child enjoys a walk in nature and spots different birds while practicing counting from one to ten in Plains Cree. With bright illustrations, rhyming clues in English and pronunciation guides on every page, pêyak little duck is a friendly introduction to Plains Cree and a celebration of the beauty of springtime in the Prairies and the Plains.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459837171
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	03/11/2025
Edition description:	Bilingual Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.31(d)
Language:	Cree
Lexile:	AD360L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Sandra Lamouche is a nêhiyaw iskwêw (Cree woman) from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta. She is a wife, mother of two boys with braids, champion women’s hoop dancer, award-winning educator and two-time TEDx speaker. She has a master of arts in Canadian and Indigenous studies and is also the author of We Belong to the Drum / mistikwaskihk kitipêyimikonaw. Sandra and her family live in Blackfoot Territory (Treaty 7) in southern Alberta.

Mando Littlechild is a Treaty 6 nêhiyaw First Nations artist from Maskwacis, Alberta. They have been painting professionally since 2021, and work in many mediums but specialize in painting, digital illustrations and comics. They are Two Spirit and non-binary.

What People are Saying About This

author of Little You / kiya kâ-apisîsisi Richard Van Camp

“What a lovely and fun way for everybody to learn Cree!”

Richard Van Camp

“What a lovely and fun way for everybody to learn Cree!”

Editorial Reviews

Well-crafted, (…) engaging and accessible, this is an excellent introduction to Plains Cree language for preschool through primary grades.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)

By focusing the counting on native birds, the author adds another layer of authenticity to the text. Littlechild’s colorful, child-friendly illustrations do the same as they depict a charming Cree mother and child watching and counting the birds. A much-needed, authentic introduction to the Cree language and culture for all young children.”

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