A great picture book focusing on Indigenous peoples and their history while showing that they are still here today. Every library needs this book including school libraries. And every parent needs to read this to their children no matter their ages.

Miigweetch to Heartdrum and Netgalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

This bilingual story, presented in Cree and English, shares the cultural importance of drumming among the Plains Cree people. I love to see stories showcasing Indigenous languages, and felt this book did a good job of making a story that is accessible to younge audiences, as well as their families.

The illustrations are bright, vibrant, and fun. They make a wonderful complement to the story. I recommend this story to all audiences, especially elementary and middle school libraries.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I really enjoyed this book. Seeing the story in Plains Cree was a wonderful thing. I adored the pride that Nikosis had in his traditions and how his traditions had similarities to the other children's backgrounds.

Great book

✨ Review ✨ We Belong to the Drum / mistikwaskihk kitipêyimikonaw by Sandra Lamouche, illustrated by Azby Whitecalf

This beautiful bilingual (Cree & English) children's picture book narrates the cultural importance of drumming and powwow music as well as provides a culturally affirming daycare / schooling story. As Nikosis goes off to daycare and feels lonely, his mom brings in drumming music which helps him feel more at home, in addition to setting him up to talk about his family and share his culture. The book shows the importance of representation in the classroom, but also serves as a valuable talking point for kids about bringing parts of themselves into their classrooms to help them feel comfortable and affirmed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: children's book
Pub Date: May 16, 2023

Thanks to Orca Book Publishers and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

Nikosis has loved the sound of drums ever since he was an infant. It reminds him of home, family, and his connection to the community. When Nikosis must start going to school, he is very sad and feels like an outsider at his school. Seeing how much he misses his family, his teachers decide to play drum music for him and this lifts his spirits. HIs classmates join in on the dancing and this makes Nikosis feel happy and excited to go to school.

The illustrations are vibrant and the contrast makes it easy to understand the story. I would recommend this book to any families preparing to send their young ones off to school/daycare for the first time. I will strongly encourage my library to purchase copies of this book as it highlights indigenous experiences and gives traction to high quality indigenous-told stories.

This picture book is based on the author’s child who felt uncomfortable going to daycare, until he felt included, by having drums such as he had played with and heard all his life, offered as one of the instruments for the kids. THey let all the kids play their drums, and he felt it was ok and even wanted to go after that.

This story tells how the drum music is so important to the child’s feeling of belong, and being accepted for who he is, and not having to change to fit in. Because you can fit in, and still be yourself, and keep what is important to you as well.

The story tells how Nikosis has always heard the beat of the drum, first being the heart beat of his mother, and later at powwows. It was part of his identity. To make him feel the same feeling at daycare, his mother brings in a CD of music from pow wows past, and the day care brings in drums and music from around the world for everyone to share.

And as the book says, the drum represents the heartbeat of mother earth and we all belong to the earth. We all belong to the drum.

Great book to teach others about indiginous culture, or at least give them an idea. There are even Cree words in the back of the book, as well as a picture of the author’s son that inspired this all.

Cute illustrations, and wonderful story. And the story is also written in Plains Cree.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review, and it is coming out May 16, 2023.

I received a galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I knew this book would be lovely and I was completely right - here's another lovely entry from Orca Book Publishers. WE BELONG TO THE DRUM is an adorable story of how something familiar makes something new less frightening while reminding a little one of how much his family loves him.

As someone who grew up on the powwow trail, I love this story and the clear care that was taken in telling it. Lamouche's writing and Whitecalf's illustrations work very well together to depict a loving community centered around a little boy who's getting used to going to daycare. The art in particular is so vibrant and joyful that reading it was supremely lovely. I highly recommend this, but especially to anyone who needs help with separation anxiety or who wants to talk about identifying something that reminds their little ones of home.