Powwow Counting in Cree

by Penny M. Thomas, Melinda Josie (Illustrator)

A unique book for young children that teaches counting from one to ten in the Cree language. Both words and pictures reflect the rich culture and tradition of the Cree people.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Childrens, Canada, Nonfiction, Language

24 pages, Hardcover

First published August 7, 2013

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple and basic (and also OwnVoices) counting picture book (but delightfully and nicely successful both verbally and aesthetically), Penny M. Thomas (text) and Melinda Josie (artwork) with their 2013 Powwow Counting in Cree provide to an intended audience of young children from about the age of three to six or so (and actually mostly in my humble opinion representing listeners, as Powwow Counting in Cree would/should probably be read aloud or at least with the intended age group and not so much tackled by young children themselves, on their own) the Plains Cree words for the numbers from one to ten (however just with words and not at the same time including the corresponding numerical digits, which is a tiny bit frustrating for me but I guess not really overly so) and imbed these in the event and context of a sacred Cree powwow celebration, with all of Melinda Josie's countable illustrations visually (and gloriously excessively) representing essential parts of the latter, so that Josie's depicted images of the powwow visually correspond to the Cree numbers being showcased and of course also to what Penny M. Thomas is with Powwow Counting in Cree writing about the numbers and the pictures, poetically, lyrically and with an understated feeling of joy and celebration (and yes, with the Cree numbers appearing in a blue and the English text in a black script and also using a decently large font size and that this certainly and in my opinion also tends to make sharing Powwow Counting in Cree with a group of children much easier and more user friendly than if Penny M. Thomas would be presenting her text, her Cree numbers and poetry printed in a physically small and tiny textual manner).

But as much as I do find Powwow Counting in Cree a lovely and also nicely educational, enlightening marriage of text and images (and as such a great introduction not just to the numbers from one to ten in Plains Cree but also to what a Cree powwow is and represents), I do personally also think that there are a some textual shortcomings in Powwow Counting in Cree which kind of do prevent me from rating this book with five stars. For one and in particular since as already mentioned Powwow Counting in Cree would probably first and foremost be read aloud, while I do very much appreciate that there is a pronunciation guide for the Cree numbers provided at the back of Powwow Counting in Cree, it would in my opinion be much better if for each of the Cree numbers (and right in the text itself) Penny M. Thomas would also include a small footnote indicating the specific pronunciation of said number (as having to flip to the back of Powwow Counting in Cree for this can easily become a bit distracting and annoying), so that it would for and to me indeed make a lot of practical sense to have with Powwow Counting in Cree the pronunciation guide be present both in the text itself also at the back of the book. And for two, I do think Penny M. Thomas should be providing an author's note for Powwow Counting in Cree, describing both what powwows are for and in Cree culture ad spirituality and even more importantly what the the depicted by Melinda Josie images of the even Cree teachings represent. For while I guess parents, librarians, teachers etc. could if they were reading Powwow Counting in Cree aloud educate themselves beforehand regarding those seven teachings so as to answer questions that might arise from their intended audience, frankly and in my opinion, basic information on Cree culture and on Cree powwows should be provided by Penny M. Thomas within the actual pages of Powwow Counting in Cree (and that this is not being done, it does unfortunately lower my appreciation and my enjoyment of Powwow Counting in Cree just a wee bit).

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powwow Counting in Cree is a great little picture book! It has charming illustrations to accompany a powwow story used to count to ten in Cree. There is a helpful pronunciation guide in the back, as well as a reading by the author to hear those pronunciations out loud. Definitely recommended.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children’s book is beautifully and simply illustrated to teach the basics of the Cree numbers from one to ten. It utilizes items of Native culture such as dancers, and feathers. That said, the only number I remember how to say is number one, peyak. I hope my Granddaughter, nôsisim, does better.

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely counting book in Cree and English, with exqusite illustrations

[feux d'artifice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really simple elegant counting book :))

[BJ Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful way to incorporate small tidbits of a culture in a counting book. The audience this book serves is definitely younger than I thought, but it is impactful nonetheless. The art is beautifully painted and reminds me of life in the prairies.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely book!

[Vanessa Lecaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book to teach you how to count int Cree. Good for elementary because it isn’t too simple.

[Stacey Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with a pronunciation guide at the back of the book.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A basic introduction to counting in Cree. Reinforces what my boys are learning. Beautiful illustrations.

[Sheli · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful, educational, great illustrations

[TRISHA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud. Overdrive has an Overdrive read. I used this in conjunction with a singing version of counting in Cree.

[Auntie Sars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and simple rhymes help teacher readers to count to ten in Cree. Comes complete with a pronunciation guide.