The Forever Sky

by Thomas D. Peacock, Annette S. Lee (Illustrator)

"Nooko's spirit is there in the stars," says Niigaanii to his younger brother, Bineshiinh, as they sprawl in a meadow, gazing skyward. "Uncle said when Nooko's spirit left this world it went there." Nooko was their grandmother, and they miss her. But Uncle helps them find comfort in the night sky, where all the stars have stories.

Indeed, there are so many stars and so many stories that the boys spend night after night observing and sharing, making sense of patterns and wisdom in "the forever sky." They see a moose, a loon, a crane, the Path of Souls, and so much more.

One night, a beautiful show of lights fills the sky. Niigaanii explains that the northern lights are the spirits of the relatives who have passed on. The boys imagine different relatives dancing, lighting up the sky with their graceful movements. And then they see her: Nooko is one of the elders leading the dance. She has a message for them. One they can share with their parents and their uncle and everyone else who remembers her. One that lends power to the skies and brings smiles to the stargazers' faces.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Death, Childrens, Family, Native American, Grief

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2019

Reviews

[Cheryl]

Because Highly Recommended by Debbie Reese's colleague Jean Mendoza. And Mendoza's husband, a 74 yo artist and writer.
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Yes! This. This is what we all need now. A glorious story that Native children can see themselves in, and that can educate the rest of us... but which is first & foremost an enchantment. Art is stunning, text is poetic, themes are universal.

For example, I particularly liked the observation that Warriors are not just soldiers, but foster parents, nurses, etc.

I want to read more by both #OwnVoices creators.

Every library and school library should have a copy. Yes, even outside of North America, at least a digital copy in each of the larger systems.

(It's what Goble and McDermott wished they could do, but they were white, so, um, no.)

[Jillian]

Beautiful book dealing with Native (Ojibwe) beliefs of what happens when elders pass on - we see them in the stars.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance]

Bineshiinh's grandmother has died, and the boy is sad. His brother tells him the stories that explain where their grandmother has gone, stories of the big, forever sky.

A lovely depiction of traditional stories offering comfort and beauty and peace.

[Erin]

A lovely and loving look at the afterlife, and the way that those who love us never leave us. Two brothers talk about their recently dead grandmother. They talk about her becoming part of the sky, and how telling stories keeps her memory alive.

[Becky Loader]

Beautiful presentation and re-telling of a Native American story about the afterlife.

[Dayala]

Viewed on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s674R...
A beautiful story explaining the Native (Ojibwe) beliefs of what happens when elders pass on. Two young brothers lose their beloved grandmother, Nooko. Their uncle seeing that they do not understand the meaning of the spirits being in the stars. He takes the older nephew to a special place where they can look at the night sky and watching northern lights dance. The two brothers are told those are the spirits of their ancestors who have gone before them.

The boys send night after night observing the many stars and listening to many stories told by their uncle. They see a moose, a loon, a crane, and so much more. One night they see Nooko leading a dance, she sends them a message to pass on to the family.

A great book on explaining where one goes after dying.
3-5
https://americanindiansinchildrenslit...

[Iggy]

The forever sky is about two Native American brothers, Niigaanii and Bineshiinh. Each night, they watch the sky and look for their ancestors. Their uncle tells them that the stars are the spirits of animals and ancestors and the spirits in the sky reflect the seasons. They see their grandmother and though they miss her, they know she’s with the ancestors and animals. This book not only deals with themes of loss and grief, but gives insight into what cultures other than mine believe happens after death.

[Candance Doerr-Stevens]

This is beautiful picture book about the spirits that dance in the stars and how we can connect with our ancestors through attending to the forever sky. This book also deals with death, grieving, and celebration of a loved grandmother, Nooko,

“I will tell you the stories so you know where she has gone,” uncle began.

“Do you see the path of stars across the sky?
That is the Path of Souls, the Milky Way. That is the path that Nooko followed to the spirit world”

“She is a star
She is the northern lights.
At night she dances.”

Used: MPL

[Anne Nerison]

This is a beautiful book, both in its message and its art. Thomas Peacock's story is centered around an Ojibwe story about the forever sky and the northern lights, and Annette S. Lee's illustrations help bring it to life. It follows two boys, Niigaanii and Bineshiinh, as they mourn their grandmother, Nooko, and learn about the spirits following the Milky Way to the afterlife, and dancing at night as the northern lights.

This will definitely be a book to share with little ones.

[Ember Air]

This book was beautiful! A wonderful storybook re-telling of the Forever Sky belief, this book explains the concepts in such a way as to fit many religions while fully representing its own. I was incredibly impressed both by the story and the artwork; I can't wait to find more work by the artist/author!

[Elizabeth Gray]

The illustrations are breath-taking. Beautiful!
The story is about two brothers, an uncle, a mom and a dad who are mourning the loss of their grandma, Nooko, who died. I found the story represents the patience needed to experience grief. The stories, the hope, the patience, the comfort of others who also grieve for your loved one.
A book to read, treasure, and share.

[Katrina]

Using tradition to sooth grief and stories to teach, “The Forever Sky” offers an Indigenous view of the northern lights, stars, and the shapes that can be seen in them. I enjoyed that this book was illustrated by someone whose career is built on decolonizing the view of the night sky.

[MaryLibrarianOH]

Two Native American brothers spend their nights looking to the sky and remembering their grandma.

[Linda Atkinson]

Beautifully illustrated

[Syntha Green]

Very pretty

[Kirsti Call]

Lovely illustrations combine with stories about what happens when your family members die--lovely story about love, loyalty, and family.

[Maria Marshall]

Touching story of Ojibwe Indian two brothers looking to the night sky and the northern lights and imagining their relatives and recently departed Grandmother dancing among the stars.

[Julie]

Gorgeous illustrations of what the Ojibwe people believe when someone passes.

[Tanya]

The artwork is great and the message is comforting. I cannot express enough how vital it is to have a great picture book to help a young child process grief. This one may be helpful.

[Lisa]

I’m not sure which is more beautiful in this book, the words or the illustrations. Amazing.

[Stacey Bradley]

Beautiful illustrations, beautiful story.

[Peggy]

This book is a stunner. Absolutely gorgeous artwork that meshes perfectly with the text.

[Lynn]

Beautifully written with extraordinary gorgeous illustrations.

[Rebecca Caufman]

To brothers process their grandmother's death by looking to the stars and passing down stories.

[Solei]

I read this book for my children’s literature class.

[Joyce]

two brother lay in the meadow watching the star. One explains the spirit of Nooko (the grandmother)is a spirit in the sky as well as the spirits of all the departed.

[Gina]

Two brothers find connections to their family in the stars, and in the Northern Lights. It may be comforting for children who have lost relatives.

[Jessica]

I don't really enjoy American Indian literature about their religious beliefs. I did not like the style of the artwork. just not a genre I enjoy.

[Book Nerds In MN]

This book!! ♥️♥️ All the stars, beautiful story, beautiful artwork....just amazing! I will never look at the Northern Lights again without this perspective! This would be a good book for kids dealing with grief and/or loss of a loved one, but even if not, still just a fantastic story.