We Are Water Protectors

Justification

We Are Water Protectors won the Caldecott Medal. It also is a starred book on Booklist, Horn Book Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. This book is one of few books written from a Native American point of view.

Evaluation

The illustrations in We Are Water Protectors are nothing short of stunning. Beautiful watercolors cover every page. Each page shows the sacredness the author and artist feel toward water. The illustrations illicit awe and a stillness that would not be felt by words alone. The watercolor paintings add even greater emotion as it depicts the horrible effects of oil on the water’s lifeforce.

The characters are believable and unique. The author shows the generations and their impact on the younger generations. Sharing story and wisdom with each other over time. The rhythm and repetition of the characters worlds provide a solidarity to the characters beliefs. Lindstrom repetes, “We stand with our songs and our drums. We are still here.”

The lesson being taught in this book is to learn to protect water from sources that would harm it. It also shares the lesson that people coming together from various backgrounds, tribes and lands can make a difference. The author portrays events as they were for the protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Many tribes from different areas came together to unite and defend their lands.

Conclusion

We Are Water Protectors is a book worth reading. This book would be a great read for young and struggling readers as the language is simple but the lesson is strong. This book could be used as an introduction to an earth science lesson as well as social skills lessons about coming together to make a difference. Overall a great read.

Citation

Lindstrom, C., & Goade, M. (2020). We Are Water Protectors. Roaring Book Press.