I am Connected
Published on 25. March 2025
Book
Hardback
28 pages
978-1-77854-063-9 (ISBN)
Description
A beautifully illustrated story about the spiritual connection we have with one another and the natural world around us.
We are all connected. Whether it is with your family, the mossy earth beneath your feet, the warm guidance of your ancestors, you belong in connection with all around you.
Along the backdrop of Haida Gwaii's breathtaking landscapes, Indigenous storyteller ?ung Jaadee invites you to witness the many threads of relationship that connect us across time and space.
What makes you feel connected?
With a gentle introduction to self-soothing practices, this book engages children through questions to reflect on their connection to the world around them. Grounded in Indigenous cultural teachings, the story touches on traditions including creating a spirit plate. Carla Joseph's radiant artwork captures the life and spirit of all living things with remarkable detail.
Medicine Wheel Publishing is committed to sharing diverse voices and perspectives, creating a platform for stories that celebrate Indigenous cultures and inspire understanding and respect among readers of all ages.
We are all connected. Whether it is with your family, the mossy earth beneath your feet, the warm guidance of your ancestors, you belong in connection with all around you.
Along the backdrop of Haida Gwaii's breathtaking landscapes, Indigenous storyteller ?ung Jaadee invites you to witness the many threads of relationship that connect us across time and space.
What makes you feel connected?
With a gentle introduction to self-soothing practices, this book engages children through questions to reflect on their connection to the world around them. Grounded in Indigenous cultural teachings, the story touches on traditions including creating a spirit plate. Carla Joseph's radiant artwork captures the life and spirit of all living things with remarkable detail.
Medicine Wheel Publishing is committed to sharing diverse voices and perspectives, creating a platform for stories that celebrate Indigenous cultures and inspire understanding and respect among readers of all ages.
Reviews / Votes
"An Indigenous child spends time in a pine-filled, water-adjacent landscape recounting various means of connection--with themself, their ancestors, and the earth. To honor self, 'I hug myself tight'; to honor ancestors, 'I often make a spirit plate,' setting aside a portion of each dish; and to honor the Earth, 'I inhale deeply and smell the cedar, honeysuckle, spruce, and hemlock.' Each segment ends with a question that invites reader interactivity--a spread about the child's connection to trees and fondness for climbing them finishes, 'What do you do to feel strong'? While a sudden reference to the child as a grandmother may feel abrupt to some, space- and time-spanning text from Jaadee, who belongs to various First Nations tribes and is part Hawaiian, and sketchbook-like landscapes from Metis/Cree artist Joseph, effectively trace how 'the ancestors, Mother Earth, the trees, the animals, all people, you and me.... We are all connected.'" -Publisher's WeeklyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Canada
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Kindergarten to Fourth Grade, Interest Age: From 5 to 9 years
Product notice
Picture book
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 262 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight
340 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-77854-063-9 (9781778540639)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
?ung Jaadee (Roberta Kennedy) is a professional Indigenous storyteller, educator (BA and BEd) and published author who has been telling stories for 30-plus years. She belongs to the X?aayda (Haida), x?m??k??y??m (Musqueam), S?wx?wu7mesh (Squamish), Tlingit, s?lilw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and is also part Hawaiian. She was born and raised on Haida Gwaii and is from the Yaguu'laanaas Raven Clan. Her Haida name, ?ung Jaadee, was presented to her at her great uncle's memorial feast by her cousin, Crystal Robinson, and means "Moon Woman." Her Aunt Leialoha gave her the name, Hi'ilawe, in reference to the most famous Hawaiian waterfall on the Big Island. She now resides with her family in East Vancouver on the unceded traditional territories of the x?m??k??y??m, S?wx?wu7mesh, and s?lilw?ta? Nations.
Carla Joseph is a Metis/Cree artist born in Prince George, BC. Carla received her key to become an artist in residence at the Prince George Community Arts Council in 2016. She went on to win Art Battle in 2016 and 2018. Carla has her own very unique style which many people connect with. She loves the way she makes people feel with her art and it inspires her to continue with her gift. Carla loves to challenge herself by taking on many different projects that can be seen around her home community. Carla has illustrated at least five wonderful children's books including Be a Good Ancestor. She now resides in the lower mainland.
Carla Joseph is a Metis/Cree artist born in Prince George, BC. Carla received her key to become an artist in residence at the Prince George Community Arts Council in 2016. She went on to win Art Battle in 2016 and 2018. Carla has her own very unique style which many people connect with. She loves the way she makes people feel with her art and it inspires her to continue with her gift. Carla loves to challenge herself by taking on many different projects that can be seen around her home community. Carla has illustrated at least five wonderful children's books including Be a Good Ancestor. She now resides in the lower mainland.