This is a really lovely children’s story. I would be very happy to purchase this book for my son when he gets a bit bigger.

This beautiful picture book is written in English and Plains Cree language and filled with a wonderful story or lullaby filled with nature and loving the land. The art is made through the style of pointillism and is very nice to look at. I think this book is a great way to introduce children to an Indigenous language. I would highly recommend this book. I could definitely see myself reading this to my class, and this would make an excellent addition to my classroom library. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this beautiful book.

It’s not often that our prairie is the setting of a children’s book, but in this book (and the author’s first book “Forever our Home”) she’s front and center.

I love the title and how it’s carried throughout the book. Perfect for reading aloud to my youngest while she takes in the vibrant new scenes on each page.

A great addition to your child’s library or as a gift to any family raising little ones in relation with the natural world around us.

What a gorgeous book!!!

I have never seen such amazing, unique illustrations before and I will be looking for more art work like this [I would love to own a picture made by this artist] in future children's books!

This is a lovely story, a beautiful calm tale about the land and it's inhabitants, the beauty that surrounds us, and all we can see and hear if we are just silent.

Written in both English and Cree [I would love to learn Cree after all of these lovely children's books that have been using the language; it is so intriguing to me, and I am so glad that the language has not been lost and is being taught to new generations], this is a lovely way to introduce littles to the Cree language and culture and to stories that are told and passed down by Indigenous Peoples.

I highly recommend this absolutely fabulous book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tonya Simpson, Dorothy Thunder - Translator, Delree Dumont - Illustrator, and Orca Book Publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Using a text in English and Plains Cree, this original lullaby celebrates the relationship between children, ancestors, and the land in Plains Cree culture. The rhyming text has a soothing tone: “Grasses swirl and whirl. Rising winds rejoice. Geese take flight with jubilant voice.” Each spread features the English on the left, and Plains Cree text on the right, set onto a colored border at the bottom of each page. The full color illustrations, done in acrylics in pointillism style, show mother and baby outside on a stormy summer night, observing the animals and the sights and sounds of nature. This is a lovely bedtime book for all families from the author of Forever Our Home (Orca, 2023).

What a beautiful, lyrical book. The rhymes are so gentle and beautiful. I especially love that it is in both English and Cree.

The illustrations blew me away. They are vibrant and deep, in a stunning pointillism style. The words and illustrations work together so well to create a beautiful, powerful book.

I think it it’s important and valuable that the author, illustrator and translator are all Cree. This book would be perfect for both a home library and a classroom.

The illustrations are detailed and stunning, reflecting the cultural themes in the book.
Beautiful words, presented in English and Plains Cree, a lovely bedtime story, calm and serene.
#ThisLandisaLullaby #OrcaBookPublishers #NetGalley

This is a beautifully done children’s book. In Tonya Simpson’s This Land Is a Lullaby readers to to follow an indigenous mother talking to her child about their connection to the land and their ancestors. The other beauty of this work is seeing the story told in Plains Cree and English.

The artwork is done in pointillism style. It’s so beautiful and interesting. I think the themes of connection with all different species is stronger through the use of the art style. There is something about each individual dot coming together with others to create a beautiful cohesive picture really speaks to the stories plot and message.

I loved seeing both languages interweave and the melody of the lull is beautiful. I loved learning more about this beautiful culture. I wish I had a physical book though - reading it on the phone was a bit problematic. The illustrations are magical and really appropriate for this text.

This book is so beautiful, on every level -- from the words, to the art, the translations, the concepts, the meaning, the significance everything. It's so deeply touching to see books like this and imagine Native kids growing up with stories like this, in their languages, describing our connection to the land, the animals, and our ancestors. This book left me in tears, I was so stunned by how gorgeous and perfect each and every aspect of it was.

This Land is a Lullaby is a wonderful bilingual picture book. I love that I can introduce the Plains Cree language to my students with this book. The artwork is incredible and tells its own story in addition to the text. The storytelling was comforting and lends itself to a read-aloud really well.

I loved this so much. My kids aren’t little anymore but if they were I would read this to them all the time. The illustrations are beautiful and having the full text in both English and Cree made the book feel complete. Despite not having little ones anymore I will happily buy a copy to hold onto and enjoy.

What a sweet, calming story that reminds littles of their connection to their ancestors and to the land. The hoot of an owl, the rising winds, and the frogs as they sing - readers will hear the sounds of summer in this lovely picture book. Love the representation, the colorful illustrations, and the inclusion of the full text in both English and Plains Cree. It makes it possible for speakers of these languages to experience the book in their own tongue. It also offers an opportunity to learn the languages. This one would make a great bedtime story and will be included on many baby shower gift lists.

This is my favorite kind of children's book. I love when children's books explore diverse languages and cultures! This is so beautifully written and the entire text is in two languages. As a mother of 4 children from Ghana, who have lost their native language, I love this book! And the illustrations are lovely - I love the style of the paintings! I only wish I could pronounce the second language so I could read it both ways!

This Land is a Lullaby is a gorgeous book written in both Cree and English. It’s done with pointillism, which I haven’t seen in a picture book in a long time.

Both the illustrations and the words in this book were beautiful I really enjoyed the lyric nature of the book and the the style of illustrations really added to the flow of the work. I found myself looking at the pictures and thinking that they were of a style I would love to have displayed in my home. I also really appreciated the inclusion of the cree words alongside the english. I think this would be a great book for a family to read together at bedtime.

‘This Land is a Lullaby’ by Tonja Simpson is a stunning book that offers a rich cultural experience wrapped in beautiful prose and illustrations. It’s a captivating read that transports readers to a world of cultural beauty and serenity, making it a perfect addition to any child’s library.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot of ‘This Land is a Lullaby’ is lovely and culturally enriching. The story weaves a gentle narrative that introduces readers to diverse cultural elements, creating a serene and educational experience. It’s a beautiful lullaby that not only soothes but also enlightens, making it a perfect bedtime story.

Characters: ★★★★★
While characters aren’t the main focus of this book, the cultural representation within the story is stunning. The developed elements of the characters serve to enhance the overall narrative, providing a glimpse into different cultures with grace and beauty. The cultural representation is both authentic and gorgeous, adding depth to the reading experience.

Illustrations: ★★★★★
The illustrations in ‘This Land is a Lullaby’ are absolutely stunning. Each page is a visual masterpiece that perfectly complements the flowing nature of the story. The artwork is vibrant and detailed, capturing the essence of the cultural themes presented in the book. It’s a visual treat that enhances the overall reading experience.

Engagement: ★★★★★
This book is very engaging, with its beautiful cultural narrative and captivating illustrations. The story draws readers in, making them feel a part of the diverse world depicted within its pages. It’s an excellent cultural read that keeps both children and adults engaged from start to finish.

Readability: ★★★★☆
‘This Land is a Lullaby’ features beautiful, flowing writing that is perfect for reading aloud. The rhythmic prose and soothing language make it an ideal choice for bedtime stories. The readability of this book ensures a smooth and enjoyable reading experience for both the reader and the listener.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Overall, ‘This Land is a Lullaby’ is a very enjoyable book. Its combination of stunning illustrations and lovely cultural narrative creates a delightful reading experience. Tonja Simpson has crafted a book that is not only entertaining but also enriching, providing readers with a beautiful glimpse into various cultures.

‘This Land is a Lullaby’ by Tonja Simpson is a highly recommended read for its lovely plot, stunning cultural representation, and beautiful illustrations. It’s a perfect book for bedtime, offering a soothing and enriching experience that children and parents will cherish.

"This land is a lullaby your heart already knows. You carry the song from a lifetime ago."

This picture book is stunning. The illustrations bring life to the gorgeous imagery of Cree homelands. With depictions of wild horses, loons and lakes, this story is easily a must have for a Native reader. Even if it doesn't represent their soecific area of the land, its story is familiar and comforting.

Would definitely recommend. It made my mama heart swell.

"This Land is a Lullaby" is a beautifully illustrated book with lyrical text written in both English and Plains Cree languages. I loved the vibrant pointillism illustrations (and they also provide nice contrast for young babies to look at!) The text is a comforting ode to our land and ancestors. I think it would make a wonderful gift for a baby shower and would be the perfect bedtime read for young babies and children.