Berry Song

By Michaela Goade,

Book cover of Berry Song

Book description

On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries.
Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry.
Huckleberry, Snowberry, Strawberry, Crowberry.
Through the seasons, they…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Berry Song as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love the lyricism of this book. Set in the Tongass National Forest, I love how the girl and her grandmother gather the bounty of the earth, including lots and lots of berries. I never knew so many different kinds of berries existed.

I like the nod to their ancestors singing to them and their voices dancing on the water. They sing, too, so they will always remember their ancestors and their land.

As a young girl and her grandmother forage “on an island at the edge of a wide wild sea,” they (and we) are reminded of the many gifts gathered from nature, time shared with family, and the passing along of knowledge and traditions.

As the voices of the ancestors “dance on wind and water,” the two sing the songs of the land and give thanks.“Gunalchéesh.” Gorgeous illustrations of watercolor and mixed media, and luscious lyrical language make this a stunning author/illustrated debut by a two-time Caldecott artist. Berry Song is a welcome addition to…

From Dianne's list on pictures about sharing.

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